Obama San Mateo County

Congresswoman Jackie Speier's healthcare reform survey

No longer active — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:02:32 EDT

For those of you who reside in California's Congressional District 12, represented by Congresswoman Jackie Speier, it may interest you to know that she has a poll question on her home page asking about the importance of having a public option included in the healthcare package. http://speier.house.gov/?sectionid=58&sectiontree=56,58&formid=8

If you are a constituent, make sure she knows where you stand! But note that by completing the survey, you are signing up for her newsletter.

My 1/10 score - Yikes!

Suds — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:10:49 EST

As you can see, the visible score of my Obama campaign involvement is a paltry 1/10 (recently reduced from a 2/10 for some reason)! In reality I am extremely proud of the behind the scenes work I have done, as well as others have done, to support Barack Obama's candidacy. I have worked at the local volunteer center making many calls there, e-mailed copiously, covered my car in bumper stickers, talked to everyone who would engage with me, etc. While the work wasn't recorded officially, it was still done.

How amazing is it that our generation and our children's generation gets to become comfortable with this kind of leadership change in America?! President Obama. What a beautiful sound.

Congratulations to everyone who helped make this possible!

Yes We Can :: From Barack Obama, President-Elect

Sarah Gallagher — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:20:11 EST

I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.

We just made history.

And I don't want you to forget how we did it.

You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change.

I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.

We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.

But I want to be very clear about one thing...

All of this happened because of you.

Thank you,

Barack

Our Time is Now: Vote Today

Sarah Gallagher — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:15:00 EST

Make sure you know your polling place and get out to vote today. Take a friend and cast your votes.

Change is within our reach. We're counting on you to get us there today.
www.voteforchange.com

Obama Supporters Rally for Change in California

Sarah Gallagher — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:01:52 EST

Obama supporters held rallies in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and Sacramento today. Hundreds of Obama supporters and local elected officials came together to show their support for Obama and rally to get everyone fired up to vote.

After the rallies, the supporters hit area phone banks to make phone calls to swing state voters, encouraging them to get to their polling places and cast their ballots for Obama.

Find a polling place near you at Last Call for Change.

California Phone Bankers Don't Quit

Sarah Gallagher — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:47:43 EST

Californians made a record number of phone calls to Obama supporters across the country, encouraging them to get to the polls and cast their votes.
Joined by celebrities like Orlando Bloom and Eliza Dushku, volunteers overflowed offices across California, sitting on file cabinets, in garages, in alleyways, on yards so that they could call for change all day.Check out the slideshow for more, then join us at a phone bank near you to make history!

A Morning Pick Me Up

L. Glory — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:30:59 EST

Here's a little something to start Monday off right.

http://www.theobamaexperiment.com/Videos.html

Here's looking to a Bright BLUE Tuesday Voting Day!

:Lilly

Adrian Grenier Gets to Work at Barack TV

Sarah Gallagher — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:09:07 EDT

Adrian Grenier, from HBO's hit show Entourage, joined volunteers at California Obama HQ to work for change, making phone calls to battleground states.

Adrian made calls to swing state voters, encouraging them to get to the polls to cast their votes for Barack Obama.

The volunteers took a break to watch Barack's 30 minute address to America on TV, then were fired by a quick speech from Mary Jane Stevenson, our Field Director. Everyone then got back on the phones, the office was quickly buzzing again with the voices of volunteers working to Get Out the Vote! Join volunteers at a phone bank near you to help Barack Get Out the Vote in the final days of this election!: ca.barackobama.com/LastCallCA

Making a difference by bus, plane or phone: Palo Alto Rally Wrap Up from Giselle Schmitz

Sarah Gallagher — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:41:07 EDT

Sunday's Obama rally at Palo Alto City Hall energized the troops.

Red, white and blue balloons brightened the plaza and a vast array of Obama T-Shirts and buttons adorned rally goers.

State Senator Leland Yee delivered a stirring speech on the importance of electing Barack Obama for both the country and the world. State Senator Elaine Alquist also spoke. Obama for America Regional Field Director Giselle Schmitz urged everyone to either travel to a battleground state, or to reach out to voters non-stop until election day on the phone banks.

More than 200 callers showed up, with the top award for "Top Agent of Change" going to Stanford student Marisa Juárez with 162 calls. Congratulations Marissa! Phone bankers were divided up into teams, named "hope," "inspiration" and "change." Callers sat scattered throughout the plaza working their phone lists, enjoying the balmy late October weather. The excitement was palpable, in the air a sense of hope and expectation, and recognition of the work still to be done.

Los Angeles Early Vote and Phonebank Wrap Up

Sarah Gallagher — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:47:34 EDT

Over 500 people gathered at the LA County Registrar's office to cast their votes early for Barack Obama. They joined California Field Director Mary Jane Stevenson and Obama for America staffers, who were fired up to vote for Obama and then get back outside to make phone calls for change!

You can still vote early in California, go to VoteForChange.com to find the early vote location for your county.

Once you vote early, join us to get out the vote by making calls into swing states from now through election day, or sign up now to drive for change to a swing state and make a big difference in this election!

Eric Garcetti, LA Council President, on Driving for Change

Sarah Gallagher — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:34:36 EDT

Last weekend, I traveled with 150 friends to the battleground state of Nevada, joining thousands of Californians in campaigning for Senator Barack Obama.

Over the weekend, our group knocked on over 5,000 doors. We spread out across Las Vegas, meeting people in their homes and talking to them about their hopes and concerns. What we heard is that Nevadans, like many of their fellow Americans, are worried. They are yearning for change and strong leadership to put our country back on track. Most were responsive to Senator Obama's economic plan of tax cuts for the middle class and smarter regulation of our financial sector.

I know that an Obama administration would bring renewed focus toward reviving our urban centers, and I will be working to bring that message to other voters between now and Election Day.

Join us on another Drive for Change for the final Get Out the Vote Weekend.

Phonebanking Old Hollywood Style: A Post from Nancy D in LA

Sarah Gallagher — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:07:02 EDT

This weekend, the Obama campaign held four ginormous super phonebanks in the Los Angeles area. Harnessing the amazing enthusiasm here in the final weeks of the Presidential campaign, these phonebanks are full of great energy, dedication, and cell phone waves (oh, and yummy snacks). In my neck of the woods, our Hollywood-Los Feliz-Silver Lake phonebanks joined forces at the fabled Sunset-Gower Studios, located at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Gower St. (This intersection was once known as "Gower Gulch" - silver-screen cowboys used to gather there looking for work as extras on western films.) Last weekend, this particular phonebank drew 200 volunteers who made 13,000 calls to battleground states and, in phonebanks throughout California, over 500,000 voters were called! This weekend our goal was higher - the campaign has challenged California volunteers to reach at least 625,000 voters - the Last Call For Change!

Former home of Columbia Pictures ("It Happened One Night", "Funny Girl" and "The Caine Mutiny") and current home to such TV shows as Dexter and Heroes, Sunset-Gower houses many independent film and television production companies. It was also the former home of one of my all-time personal favorites: Six Feet Under. (You can read more about the studio's history here.)

Last weekend, entering data from calls to Colorado, I was really heartened by the number of voters solidly in the Obama camp, versus the ones for McCain. The polls there are bearing this out. This weekend, we're over halfway toward beating last week's totals - 111 volunteers on Saturday, making nearly 9,000 calls! Sunday will surely rock.

Thanks to the incredible volunteer coordinators who are making this phonebank happen every weekend. Your dedication is inspiring. And of course, the roomful of volunteers who didn't want to leave.

Folks, if you haven't tried it yet, it's not too late - get thee to CA.BarackObama.com and find the nearest phonebank. You can make calls, enter data, sell swag, bring snacks - the possibilities are endless. You won't regret it!

Why I Am Voting for Barack Obama

Emily Lehr-Anning — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:36:43 EDT

I am voting for Barack Obama because I undoubtedly believe in his ability to bring about change in a time when we so desperately need it. He is authentic and compassionate, intelligent and honest. I admire him for many reasons, one of them being the way he remains calm, cool, and collected, even in times of challenge, frustration, and untruthful smears on his character. I admire him for remaining confident and reasonable. I admire him for standing up for what he believes in, for standing up for the American people, and for standing up to those who don’t. He is the candidate who deeply cares about us, and unlike McCain, has articulately explained how he will deal with the enormous issues we face, such as our plummeting economy, failing education system, housing crisis, climate change and the disgraceful war. While Obama and Biden support civil rights, women’s rights, students’ rights, and human rights, McCain and Palin wish to make abortion illegal under every circumstance (even rape and incest), deny rights to LGBT people, and continue the failed Bush policies of the past 8 years. McCain has voted with Bush over 90% of the time. It’s time for a change.

We cannot afford to lose this election, and I cannot stress that enough. We have survived 8 years under a terrible administration, and it is almost, almost over. We cannot let this opportunity slip through our fingers. A leader as intelligent, progressive, charismatic, and inspiring as Barack Obama, rarely comes around, and even more rarely, gets this close to becoming the President of the United States. If we don’t do everything in our power in the next few weeks to get him elected, it will be too late. This is not the time to procrastinate.

Blog from Veterans for Obama Co-Chair Dee Dee Gilliam

Sarah Gallagher — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:54:01 EDT

It's been 4 months since I was asked to take a leadership role with Veterans for Obama. Being a non-combat veteran, I knew who I would be representing; I had served with many of them during my 15 years as an Army Reserve nurse. The folks I represent are the finest of American citizens. They are soldiers, sailors, and airmen representing all branches of the uniformed services. They are veterans from World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq x 2, Kuwait and Afghanistan, plus numerous other missions that would take too much space to name. They are the ones that I looked up to, every one of them, as heroes, and always wondered if I was made of the same mettle. Some of the best days of my life were when I was at drill. No matter how much I would moan and groan about going every month, I always came home happy, having spent time with some of the best friends I will ever make in my life.

I have not regretted a moment of the time I've spent doing this. I have met new friends, including many new heroes, and have learned more about the political process than I ever thought I would know. I have learned so much about veterans and military issues, and the various advocacy groups working these issues, that I know this is going to continue to be a part of my life long after Nov. 4. And I have learned so much about how much Barack Obama cares about veterans. I was a supporter before I took on this role, but what I have learned about this man, who has never served a day in uniform, but who, with his wife, goes out of his way to reach out not only to the person serving, but to the family members of that person, has not just reinforced my faith in his abilities as a leader, but as a human being who cares for his fellow man.

Barack Obama believes America has a sacred trust with our veterans. He is committed to creating a 21st Century Department of Veterans' Affairs that provides the care and benefits our nation's veterans deserve. Obama will demand that the military and the VA coordinate to provide a seamless transition from active duty to civilian life, and improve mental health treatment at every stage of military service. He will require that they work to recruit more health professionals, improve screening processes, offer more support to families and make PTSD benefits claims fairer. We shouldn't have to hear stories about veterans losing their families and careers after they come home because they cannot deal with the emotional scars created by repeated deployments. There shouldn't be more stories of veterans committing suicide because they can't re-integrate into civilian life.

Letter from Mary Jane, California Field Director, to All California Activists

Sarah Gallagher — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:01:33 EDT

Bravo, California!

This weekend, we exceeded our 500,000 call goal! You made 543,000 calls to Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico, crucial battleground states that will make the difference in this election. Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication.

Catch your breath and then get ready - we are three weeks from Election Day. Our goals will grow. And we will continue to exceed them. Now is the time to recruit all your friends who have been saying 'What can I do?'.

Join us this weekend at another Last Call For Change phonebank.

I am proud to be in the company of so many amazing volunteers.

Yes We Can,
Mary Jane Stevenson
California Field Director

Palin Abuses Her Power in Firing

Barack Daily Buzz - Victory2008.net — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:21:52 EDT

Palin Abuses Her Power in Firing
On to an Obama Victory in November

(1) Alaska Panel Finds Palin Abused Power in Firing
Matt Apuzzo-Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jOTk11gvqDAgD0cY3i4WjI_2YOxwD93O09M00

(2) "Troopergate" Probe Finds Palin Violated Ethics Act
Tony Hopfinger-Bloomberg
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awseYZEQaikU&refer=home

(3) Legislative Inquiry Finds Palin Abused Her Power
Charles Piller and Kim Murphy-Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-trooper11-2008oct11,0,2355932.story

(4) Alaska Ethics Probe Finds Palin Abused Her Power
Yereth Rosen-Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed2/idUSN1041450720081011

(5) Palin Abused Her Power as Alaska Governor
BBC News
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Troopergate-Sarah-Palin-Abused-Her-Power-As-Alaska-Governor/Article/200810215118225?lpos=World_News_News_Your_Way_Region_9&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15118225_Troopergate%3A_Sarah_Palin_Abused_Her_Power_As_Alaska_Governor

(6) Probe Accuses Palin of Abuse of Power
Agence France Presse
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jxHUZ-vz0qO7-XDTuwaMb3l6Pi5Q

(7) Palin Violated Ethics Law in Trooper Case
Jim Carlton-Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122364495587222887.html

(8) Troopergate Report-Palin "Abused Power"
Editor & Publisher
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003873266

(9) Abuse of Power
Andrew Sullivan-The Atlantic
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/abuse-of-power.html

(10) Palin Says She Acted "Within Proper and Lawful Authority"
Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN1041639920081011

Day Eighteen Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:51:08 EDT

Dear Reader,

I am sorry it has been some time since my last post. I have decided to discontinue this blog at this point. It has been a pleasure to write this blog for the past eighteen days. I hope you enjoyed it. I wanted to share some of the following excellent resources I utilized for this blog.

1. Mark Crispin Miller's blog 'News From Underground' http://www.markcrispinmiller.blogspot.com/

2. NYT daily email updates on politics that you can sign up for on their site www.nytimes.com

3. The listservs from the groups on this website. Particularly, TwentyandThirtysomethingsforObama.

4. Brave New Films video subscription: http://therealmccain.com/issues/?utm_source=rgemail

5. Daily Kos: The State of the Nation http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/16/63238/2462/721/600320

6. Think Progress' blog http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/26/presidential-debate-live-blogging/

7. Michael Moore's site http://www.michaelmoore.com/

8. The Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

9. Brennan Center for Justice http://www.brennancenter.org/

10. Commondreams.org News Center http://www.commondreams.org/

11. Media Matters for America http://mediamatters.org/

12. MoveOn.org http://www.moveon.org/

13. NOW on PBS http://www.pbs.org/now/index.html

14. Stealing America: Vote by Vote http://www.stealingamericathemovie.org/index.html

A big thank you to all of the people who contributed to, read, and spread this blog. I greatly appreciate your help and this experience. I am going to shift my energy to support Barack in removing myself from the daily grind as it were and by placing my energy into intention-based daily meditations on President Obama coming into office on November 4, 2008.

I have no doubt Barack will be the next President of the United States and here's what I think everyone can do to support that goal. Insist on a paper ballot at your polling place, keep forwarding all great information you come across, keep your focus on President Obama more than anything, limit the amount of news you consume on a daily basis, remain diplomatic in your support of Barack and don't fall into the trap of hating McCain. All we need to do is focus on President Obama by stating this every day and by choosing to place our energy here. Spread as much information as you can about voter fraud and purging for as long as you can and remember: Barack will win!

My deepest respect for all who are participating in this political, social, emotional, evolutionary, experimental process. Our time is well spent-we have everything to lose and everything to gain. Let's focus on the gain.

Much respect,

Tara

Official Debate Watch Parties on Tuesday!

Sarah Gallagher — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:22:36 EDT

With John McCain's announcement that he would rather spend the last month of this election smearing Barack's character instead of talking about the top priority issue for voters, it's more important than ever that you show your support for Obama at an Official California Debate Watch Party in LA, SF, Sacramento or San Diego!

Sign up at my.barackobama.com/cadebatewatch!

The California Obama campaign is hosting debate watch parties across the state.

We'll cheer on Barack at the second presidential debate, hear from local elected officials, discuss the issues, and get to work organizing our communities for change. You'll be able to meet field staff and sign up to make a difference in this campaign. Join us and fellow supporters on Tuesday, October 7th.

Sign up at my.barackobama.com/cadebatewatch!

Day Seventeen Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:29:33 EDT

Dear Reader,

I am very sorry for the delay. Today, you are going to receive Thursday-Saturday of this week’s blogs. All I can say is that I watched the VP debate and really had to ask myself how I might have been contributing to this circus of an election. I wanted to avoid the ‘post-game’ analysis that so many fall into after the debates.

As a former 8-year resident of Alaska, I found myself deeply saddened by how Sarah Palin has been presenting AK to the rest of the country and world; not unlike a mother protecting a child who was not seen for who they truly are. Not unlike a woman who is ashamed of another women acting in such a spiteful, non-peaceful manner. Not unlike a child who sees her father cry only to see the terrible mother laugh in his face, as I saw Sarah doing. Considering myself a psychologically complex person, as a professional in the mental health sector, I was reminded of the archetypes and deeper significance spinning behind what these folks are saying and doing. Of the collective consciousness that is being affected by the 52 million plus viewers who are engaging in these types of character assassinations; of the unconscious aspects of ourselves that these images and sound bytes touch upon.

Of the lack of boundaries individuals in the public sector are asked to sport; of the loose, cavalier way in which human lives and hearts are treated, whether they be of soldiers or the working poor, as there is no middle class. Of the horizontal pitting that happens between those lowest on the unforgiving totem pole of capitalism; of the children who may be watching these debates who are taught to cheer and jeer at their “enemy”. Our civilization has become a 49ers game, yet there is grace, dignity, diplomacy, and kindness in the hearts of many, dare I say all Americans. Barack and Joe are modeling this like beacons on a dark sea of oil, pollution, and deception. My take away is that we need to keep building lighthouses of the soul that strengthen our hearts to love ourselves enough to show up in such a stunning way in this depressed, herded society. The show must go on.

As dozens of emails containing other concerning news poured in, I knew I had to rise above the inherently flawed process and carry on as a vehicle for the truth. I knew Joe did well in the debate, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the resounding polls unilaterally stating he had won by all accounts. As we now know, Barack and Joe are ahead in the state and national polls and I just received an email from the DNC stating that the Democrats are ‘surging’ (interesting choice of words) in all of the Senate races as well. Very good news. Things are looking very good, which is all the more reason to deal with the bigger election issues: voter caging, purging, etc. Please see the articles regarding the bigger picture issues below and take action immediately, whether it is forwarding the blog, re-posting the articles in your blog, talking about the issues, or urging the campaign to do something about them and quick. Without further a due and with gratitude for your commentary ear, the news.

1.‘Voter Caging’ video by David Brancaccio on PBS’ ‘Now’ from the week of July 27, 2007. It is a bit long, but excellent. Stop before the housing story if you are not interested in this. Notice it was from July of last year-this is not new news. Thanks to Jim Fadiman, Ph.D. for forwarding this clip.

http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/330/video.html

2. ‘McCain Mailing Mistakes’ from WTMJ-TV and JSOnline.com from September 14, 2008 as it appeared on MSNBC’s Local News section for Milwaukee, WI. This is another story on voter caging, this one involving absentee ballots with incorrect return addresses in another attempt to disenfranchise mostly Democratic voters.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26683049/

3. “The Rich Are Staging a Coup This Morning…A Message From Michael Moore’ by Michael Moore as it appeared in September 29, 2008’s CommonDreams.org News Center, forwarded to me by Marilyn Handler LeGette of Moss Beach, CA. This is a bit after the fact, but when I saw that nearly no one was willing to fight this, I thought it would be best for a Barack win to let him push through on his decision and to offer Michael’s views after the fact. When is Michael wrong? I urge you to submit any evidence of to me.

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/09/29-6

4. ‘Urgent: On the Ground Citizen Journalists Needed in Ohio to “Video the Vote”: Free Flip Camera for Each Citizen Journalist’ by Ray Beckerman on Ohio Election Fraud blog. Please get the word out to your friends in Ohio and to avid citizen journalists everywhere.

http://fairnessbybeckerman.blogspot.com/#7429331604186114916

5. ‘Senate bailout debate III’ by Kagro X http://kagro-x.dailykos.com/ forwarded by John LeGette of Moss Beach, CA.

“Thanks to Hunter for some mildly amusing stuff, found tucked in among the bailout bill provisions:

Page 279 — Rum excise tax to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Page 280 — Mine rescue / mine safety

Page 290 — Motorsports racing track facility

Page 290 — Hurricane Katrina and Gulf opportunity zone

Page 295 — Wool modifications

Page 296 — Permanent authority for undercover operations

Page 297 — Child tax creditPage 300 — Children and wooden arrows”

*Read the full bailout bill HR1424 for yourself at:

http://senateconservatives.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/bailouttext.pdf

6. ‘Alaska Natives question Palin’s support’ by Rachel D’Oro of the AP as it appeared in September 27, 2008’s Google News, forwarded to me by a great mover and shaker in Anchorage, Alaska. This one is for the man at Cameron’s Pub in Half Moon Bay, CA who stated after Thursday’s VP debate that he knew “all the Eskimos loved Sarah”. Armed with my Minor in Native Alaska studies, I kindly told him that the term “Eskimo” was no longer politically correct and that I begged to differ.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jjtSZGziV-5C7BVO5oteUzZEBtdAD93GG4S00

7. ‘Veterans deserve better than the double talk given them by McCain’ by Harry Hughes in September 30, 2008’s Tennessean.com, forwarded by Kenneth Traugott of the ‘TwentyandThirtysomethingsforObama’ group on this site.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/OPINION03/809300346/1008/OPINION01

That’s it for Thursday’s most ironic, concerning news that passed under my nose. Stay tuned for the 2 additional blogs to come today. Thanks again for your patience while I catch up with this fast-moving, good-looking week of news for Barack.

Fight back,

Tara

VP Debate Watch Party - Los Angeles

Sarah Gallagher — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:22:46 EDT

Kit, a volunteer at our California HQ, was fired up at last night's VP Debate Watch Party at Hollywood Social in LA.

The VP Debate Watch Party at Social Hollywood drew an even larger crowd than the first Presidential debate for what was one of the most highly anticipated events of the campaign. As the two candidates approached their podiums, the excitement in the room reached fever pitch, and everyone was thrilled to see Joe Biden deliver! The statesman from Scranton clearly outlined how the Obama-Biden administration would bring the change the country so desperately needs to the White House. The hundreds of spectators in LA cheered loudly as Senator Biden advocated for the middle class and showed how we could restore America's leadership in the world. While Governor Palin defended the policies of the last eight years, Joe Biden showed the vision and judgement the country an expect from an Obama-Biden administration. And the crowd last night couldn't have been more proud!

Day Sixteen Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:18:21 EDT

Dear Reader,

I just received a NYT article stating that the $700 billion bailout bill just passed. I then received an email that I thought might uncover the truth about what is really going on with the bailout. Considering it included a former VP from Citibank’s take on the matter, I did not feel the need to tell myself I had uncovered the truth. There are articles in this posting that I feel are different takes on the issue from what I have seen thus far. I think it is a sham and I think Barack voted for it because the credit card companies have a gun to both houses’ heads. More later.

Their authors include: Ron Paul, Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), and Michael Moore amongst others. I am still focused on the voter safety issue, which I have good and bad news on. And still, there is more concerning news of the day. More importantly, the hard work is paying off, Barack is ahead, the McPalin debate tomorrow is going to be nothing short of Tina Fey. Onward march.

1.‘Adding Sweetners, Senate Passes Bailout Plan’ by Carl Hulse in this afternoon’s New York Times. This article includes a statement from Barack that seems to sum up his current position on the deal. I love the cross-the-aisle handshake!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/business/02bailout.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&hp&adxnnlx=1222915554-UiENrVkXPPY%20KUU0TaIwwg

2. ‘Michael Moore: Communisms Has Won’ YouTube video from mlive.com. Check out his ‘7 Modest Proposals for President Obama' while you are there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRRe0EFdNpI&feature=related

3. ‘Ron Paul: Wall Street Crisis is Corporatism, Not Free Markets’ YouTube video from September 29, 2008 on Alex Jones’ infowars.com.

http://www.infowars.com/?p=4949

4. ‘Let’s Play “Wall Street Bailout” The Rules Are…Rep. Kaptor’ YouTube video from September 30, 2008. Watch Rep. Marcy Kaptor, Democrat from Toledo, OH speak about the bailout. The most direct statement about the bailout I have seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S27yitK32ds

Onto non-bailout election news:

5. ‘Is that DVD tied to McPalin?’ by Mark Crispin Miller from his September 30th News From Underground blog. Check out the promo for the Anti-Islam film ‘Obsession’ that the same promoter of the Obama turbin ad circulated to voters.

http://markcrispinmiller.blogspot.com/2008/09/is-that-dvd-tied-to-mcpalin.html

6. ‘Meet Juan Crow’ by Renee Feltz and Stokely Baksh as it appeared in September 29, 2008’s The New Republic. See how Arizona is disenfranchising thousands of voters. I received the link for the story and video from Mark Crispin Miller’s blog, News From Underground, today.

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=3a30f1ee-e2d2-4e97-8cec-e688da6bd992&k=47965

7. ‘Voter Purges’ September 30, 2008’s CBS News with Katie Couric interviewing Brennan Center for Justice’s ED Michael Waldman about their new report which reveals the shocking truth about ongoing voter purging. Skip to 17:05 to watch the clip, unless of course, you want to see another Palin/Couric interview which is nothing short of comical.

http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/voter_purges_cbs_evening_news/

8. ‘Former Diebold Contractor Blows the Whistle on Election Manipulations’ in today’s Velvet Revolutions’ blog. VR interviews Chris Hood, a former Diebold contractor, about Diebold’s illegal actions during the last election. Insane!

http://www.velvetrevolution.us/#093008

That’s a wrap for today, folks. Please keep talking about the voter safety issues; spread these clips far and wide. We need more media coverage of voter fraud. Couric is good, but there are so many different voter safety issues that we need at least the next couple new weeks worth. Like Michael says, a piece of paper and a No. 2 pencil is all we need. We can get the word out ourselves. If we all vote provisionally, early, absentee and the like, some of this can be combated on a grassroots level. This is for all of us to take into our hands.

Take back your power,

Tara

Day Fifteen Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:32:37 EDT

Dear Reader,

It is 10:30 am PST and already, so much has happened today. Let’s keep the 168 plus people who died yesterday in Jodhpur, India while celebrating the first day of the Hindu festival of Navratra, in our hearts. This happened because a rumor spread throughout a crowd of 12,000 people that a bomb was set to go off in the crowd, which there has been a run of most recently. And all we Americans can think about is what is happening to our stocks on Wall Street.

The reason I am writing this blog is to protect peace and justice for all of the world’s citizens by ensuring that Barack Obama is the next US President who will work to ensure these rights for all of the world’s citizens more than John McCain will. I don’t like it when I hear Barack talk about “taking down” Bin Laden, invading Pakistan or any country, or about nuclear energy, but I also trust that he will implore all alternative measures before exercising these options. It is just sad that these are components of our foreign policy; that being a good neighbor has everything to do with how big your guns are and how much fossil fuel you buy from each other and less to do with sustainable trade, a league of nations, and as peace protecting and promoting allies.

I know that Barack believes in this type of diplomacy and that once he is President, he will change the landscape of what it means to be a good, international neighbor. Onto the following articles that, in every way, point us one step closer to manifesting that dream. The most concerning article is 2. Please check one of these videos out, spread it as far as you can, and demand that this election is not stolen. Not by organizing a protest as some commenters on that blog suggest after the election, but by acting now. I will continue to post ways in which we can protect the vote count up until and after 11/4.

1.’Sarah Palin is Not My Candidate’ Planned Parenthood Action Center petition email of today. Please click on the link to sign this petition that PP will present at this Thursday’s VP debate.

http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/openletter_palin?rk=XdajXCY1xV9ZE

2. ‘Spoonamore Reveals the Plan to Steal the Next Election’ from Mark Crispin Miller’s blog, News From Underground, forwarded by John LeGette of Moss Beach, CA. Please watch and spread as many of these videos as you can. There is a strong network in place to steal this election via electronic vote. Demand a paper, hand-counted vote immediately!

http://markcrispinmiller.blogspot.com/2008/09/spoonamore-reveals-plan-to-steal-next.html

3. ‘John McCain: Economic Disaster’ by Robert Greenwald & Brave New Films. Please see below for an excerpt of an email I received today from Robert Greenwald containing action steps regarding circulating this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4egXbhSOhk

“John McCain does not have the ability to fix this economic crisis. After declaring the fundamentals of the economy strong, he created a political circus in Washington last week by mucking up bailout negotiations; a deplorable stunt, considering he and his political cronies helped cause the current meltdown.

It was McCain and his economic adviser Phil Gramm who pushed for the deregulation that helped lead to the banking crisis, and it was McCain's crony Rick Davis who had deep lobbyist ties to Freddie Mac. Don't let others be fooled by McCain's economic grandstanding because the reality is his policies and principles will only exacerbate our financial hardships. That's why you must spread this video.

McCain is being deceitful with his sudden populist message and support for regulation; his economic policies still favor our nation's wealthy elite. Call out McCain's economic dishonesty. Send this video to friends and ask them to sign up for a free Brave New Films video subscription to know the latest on TheRealMcCain.com. Then, post it on your blogs and spread it on networking sites like Digg and Reddit.

These are some of the best ways to reach people who are not following this debate closely. Let's make sure everyone knows McCain can't get us out of the mess he got us into in the first place.”

4. ‘Misleading Claims by McCain on Obama’s Tax Plans” by Larry Rohter published yesterday in the New York Times. This is the record on Barack’s tax plan that McCain mis-represented in the debate and since then.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/us/politics/30check.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1222794194-dCe7ZXVKgnm0oH9UmWN3uw

5. ‘New Urgency Over McCain Medical Questions As Election Nears’ by Sam Stein in today’s Huffington Post. This is a product of Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films’ video I posted last week. Please keep pushing for these records.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/30/new-urgency-over-mccain-m_n_130298.html

6. ‘Analysis: With Bailout, McCain reaches dead end’ AP by Steven R. Hurst in today’s Huffington Post. It is a big deal for the AP to state that McCain reached a “dead end”. Please read and circulate.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/30/analysis-with-bailout-mcc_n_130482.html

7. ‘McCain’s Massive Fall’ by Eric Schmeltzer posted in yesterday’s Huffington Post. A great synopsis of McCain’s biffs of the past week or so. We need to keep citing this timeline of poor decision-making to evidence McCain’s inability to lead.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-schmeltzer/mccains-massive-fail_b_130379.html

8. ‘McCain May Suspend Campaign Again’ by Nico Pitney in today’s Huffington Post. Please watch this video of McCain’s interview with Fox News of this morning stating that he may suspend his campaign again. Unbelievable and desperate.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/30/mccain-may-suspend-campai_n_130553.html

That’s it for today, folks. I have to say that I was delighted to see some honest coverage of McCain in most of today’s news sources. It is about time. Again, the most important issue here is stealing the election. Please make sure that this does not escape the radar, as we know for a fact that the last two elections have been stolen due to Spoonamore’s just released testimony. This is going to be all over the upcoming news. In the meantime, let’s get the word out so we can be sure to beat the cover-up and conspiracy-theorist chargers who will readily dismiss this most imminent threat to a fair election as hype.

In solidarity with President Obama,

Tara

Day Fourteen Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:33:59 EDT

Dear Reader,

As we all know by now, it was an historic day on Wall Street. And while McCain is busy trying to blame it and everything else on Barack, in between interviews with Palin and Couric, and statements by Palin about attacking Pakistan and her lack of supreme court case knowledge other than Roe v. Wade, the rest of us were trying to figure out how to cut our losses. If there were ever a time for a sensitivity card, it is now and I do not see any love coming from the McCain campaign nor the Bush administration to the American public. It is a good thing Barack has enough to go around. Check out these headlines:

1. ‘Palin’s Perils’ by Kate Phillips in today’s The Caucus-The New York Times Politics Blog

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/29/palins-perils/

2. ‘Calm, Methodical Obama vs. Angry, Ungracious McCain’ by Amb. Richard C. Holbrooke in today’s Huffington Post. The best, longest-view analysis I have seen to date of Friday’s debate.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amb-richard-c-holbrooke/calm-methodical-obama-vs_b_130343.html

3. ‘Matthews Blames Bailout Crash on McCain’s Failed Leadership’ by Jed Lewison in today’s Huffington Post. Included is video of Chris Matthews on tonight’s Hardball stating that McCain “failed(ure) to provide the leadership that he promised—and took credit for” in that 2/3rds of the House of Representatives voted against a measure he requested they pass.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/29/matthews-on-mccains-faile_n_130309.html

4. ‘Kurtz: Journos Checking Their Tongues on Palin, McCain Cracks Down on Dowd’ by Jason Linkins from today’s Huffington Post. I’ll be sure to follow up with Maureen’s response once she posts it in the NYT.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/29/kurtz-journos-checking-th_n_130248.html

5. The following email was forwarded to me by a friend in Anchorage, Alaska. The author’s name was not cited. Please forward this to as many people as you feel comfortable to keep the energy going and to keep it positive!

“I AM FORWARDING THIS FROM A FRIEND. PLEASE KEEP IT GOING.

Here's our opportunity to create positive outcomes from the inside-out.Setting this kind of intention can gather momentum in a nanosecond and send

waves of victory from heart to heart. I just received several of these
emails, so it's working already. I'm willing to participate. I hope you are,
too.

Here are two specific requests (discussion follows):

1) 3 times a day (more is better) I suggest you say, or just think, to
yourself "President Obama," and when you do, try to imagine it being true right
now, and feeling all the great feelings that go with this thought.

2) Please forward this email to all your friends who you know for a fact are
voting for Obama and will be thrilled when he wins, encouraging them to send
it on to their friends.

Discussion:

It dawned on me that many of us are getting caught in the fear orgy the
Republicans love to create because most of their policies are based in fear.They even fail to recognize that the opposite of fear is not hope, but trust
and expectation. So eliminating fear requires practicing trust and
expectation.

Fearing the Republicans is just more fear and feeds their
cause. They want us to be afraid, even if all we're afraid of is them. I
don't expect us to never experience fearful thoughts, but when we notice
that we are, it would be a good time to think "President Obama" and experience
the pleasure this reality brings.

When I first thought of this I anticipated that some, me included, would
react with, "well just thinking about it won't do it. Way too 'airy-fairy'
What we need is to be in action." Interesting thought, but aligning our
thoughts with what we want never hurts and imagining what we want never
precludes getting into action. In fact, imagining "President Obama" is more
likely to inspire those actions that will create this wonderful outcome.

Not to mention, if a whole bunch of us are feeling good--instead of afraid,
resigned and helpless--then we will probably get a whole lot more done.Practice this thought and notice that it makes you feel good and certainly
more resourceful. The decision to send this email came to me last night
after deciding to practice this thought myself yesterday.

"President Obama"

Aaaaah. Happy and relieved. Like taking off a shoe that's too tight (or in
this case, maybe a noose).

I did the math, and if each of us sends this to ten others, and only five send it
on, then in 13 rounds this email will reach more than 244 Million people. Probably
less because of repeats.

If we send it to more, and let's say 10 send it on,
then in 9 rounds 1 Billion emails will be sent.

Staggering; and no-one is asking you to send any money anywhere or informing you that you have inherited money from a long lost relative.

When I first heard Barak Obama speak in 2004 at the convention, I thought
"This man could be President someday." I, like many others, are inspired by
him and know that behind his inspiring words is a strong, thoughtful, and
courageous intelligence. Let's join together to make "President Obama"
(Aaaaaah) a reality by imagining together that it already is.

Thanks for your help.

'Each progressive spirit is opposed by a thousand mediocre minds appointed to guard the past'"

That’s a wrap for today, folks. I’ll be back tomorrow with some more good news. Things are looking really good for “President Obama” and for all us freedom-loving folk. There is much work to be done.

Many cheers,

Tara

Day Thirteen Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:16:11 EDT

Dear Reader,

The following are a series of articles that include some analysis of the debate, extractions from McCain’s record, McCain strategy, and vote counting. I am afraid that between John and Sarah and their unscripted blunders, not much investigative work needs to be done, besides the fact that there are piles of it everywhere you look. Since Americans generally have such short attention spans, I think it is important to always have a mix of both. Enjoy!

1. 'John McCain’s Record: Three Things Every Voter Should Know About John McCain And:'...Just fill in the blank with any of the policy options listed and read for yourself. A good resource.

http://www.johnmccainrecord.com/index.html

2. ‘For McCain and Team, a Host of Ties to Gambling’ by Jo Becker and Don Van Natta, Jr. in September 27, 2008’s New York Times. Unsurprising, but an important reminder of who we are dealing with. The evangelicals need to see this.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/us/politics/28gambling-web.html

3. ‘How McCain Wins’ by William Kristol in September 28, 2008’s New York Times. This article is rich in Republican strategy. Read it and email your counters to Barack’s campaign at: info@barackobama.com

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/29/opinion/29kristol.html

4. ‘Beyond Ideology, A Generational Clash’ by Alessandra Stanley in September 27, 2008’s New York Times. The article points out the important generational differences that prepare Barack for the 21st Century and McCain for a by-gone era.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/27/us/politics/27watch.html?fta=y

5. ‘Counting Every Vote: California’s secretary of state says open-source software is needed to safeguard electronic voting systems’ by Erica Naone as it appeared in September 26, 2008’s Technology Review, as forwarded by Brent Turner from the Sustainability Activists for Obama listserv. He asks that folks support the work of Open Voting Consortium www.openvoting.org

http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/21429/?a=f

That’s it for today, folks. Let’s keep stepping up our volunteer efforts for Barack and ensure that we are well-informed on his platform. It is either that or look like Sarah during her interview with Katie Couric. Imagine: most voters are probably more informed about the issues than Sarah is. And so should they be to ensure that Democracy prevails in America and that Barack is the next President of our great nation.

Believe,

Tara

Day Twelve Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:18:30 EDT

Dear Reader,

Here is Saturday's blog; sorry for the delay. This will inevitably happen on the weekends. Enjoy Saturday's coverage of a great debate Friday night. All I will say about the debate is that I think it was a graphic example of the generational and ideological gaps between the two and that the biggest problem with the debates in their current format, is that there are no formal guidelines nor independent, professional debate panel of judges with which to determine a fair winner. Despite this fact, the fact that John would not look at Barack, call him by name, respond directly to him, and elicted signs of multiple types of instability, insanity, and exhaustion mid-debate, answered this question for me. And still, most of the next day's papers did not call out the obviously concerning aspects of John's behavior. Here's one who did:

1. The following is a link for the Think Progress' blog from September 27, 2008, forwarded to me by an Anchorage, Alaskan rebel rocker. Check out the timeline of the debate analysis by various pundits. The majority definitely thought McCain was way out of touch.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/26/presidential-debate-live-blogging/

2. The following is a blog post from this site on September 27, 2008 entitled ‘Debate Reviews: Barack Obama Wins – ‘More Presidential,’ ‘Knowledgeable and Detailed’’ by Christopher Hass (Obama HQ Blogger). It summarizes many of the poll results from Friday night’s debate.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gGgdsG

3. The following is an excerpt of an email I received on 9/27 from Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films who released the McCain Doctor Healthcare video I included in my blog of last week. A few people told me that they thought it was too much to have shown McCain’s scar from cancer and to be talking about his cancer in a dis-respectful manner. I can only say that being alive in 2 years for a job that has a 4 year commitment is a major, if not, the most important factor of this candidate selection we, the American people, are charged with.

“We knew we hit a nerve when Rush, Drudge, and O'Reilly unleashed on us the same day. Then, MSNBC censored the McCain health records ad, a Brave New PAC initiative, due to Bill O'Reilly/Fox's pressure.

And why? Because of the work we have all done together to stress the importance of John McCain releasing his health care records. Led by over 2500 doctors from around the country, Republicans, Independents and Democrats, asking important questions about the records, about his health, and stating loud and clear the records should be released.

We need your help to continue to get the message out. We must keep the focus on these records and getting them released. We must take an ad out in the NY Times. We must hold press events with doctors in Colorado, Florida, Michigan, and Ohio. We must interview more doctors, create video clips and send them around. Can you contribute to making all this possible?

This campaign is the result of all your great work in spreading the videos, telling friends, bloggers, radio, TV, unions and churches about the issues -- McCain has a YouTube Problem just passed 5.5 million views. Thank you for your support. More to come!”

4. The following article, ‘McCain’s Suspension Bridge to Nowhere’ by Frank Rich appeared in September 27, 2008’s New York Times. It is a great summarization of why the choices McCain made over the course of the past week make him “the first presidential candidate in our history to risk wrecking the country even before being voted into the Oval Office.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/opinion/28rich.html?bl&ex=1222833600&en=78e47e85adbe5725&ei=5087%0A

5. The following article ‘Say What?: Sarah Palin Department’ by the Editorial Board of the New York Times appeared in September 25, 2008’s NYT for all of you who missed it. It includes a clip and an analysis of Palin’s now famously flawed interview with Katie Couric. I guarantee you will not believe how clueless Palin is about foreign policy.

http://theboard.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/say-what-sarah-palin-department/?scp=1&sq=Katie%20Couric%20Sarah%20Palin%20Interview&st=cse

6. A great newshound in Anchorage, Alaska sent me this quote from a blogger she only knew as 'Tom'. Click on the links for the references to these claims.

“McCain repeated what everyone agrees is a lie in claiming that Barack Obama has voted to increase taxes on people making as little as $42,000. Flat out lie.

He repeated his line about the wasteful earmark studying Bear DNA when it's now been revealed that his vice presidential running mate did the exact same thing -- only about seal DNA.

I said above that McCain didn't have any freak-out moments. But he did have that sneer and there did seem to be this thing where he was so contemptuous and angry at Obama that he couldn't get himself to make eye contact. I think we'll hear more about that.

Angry, angry, angry. Part of the key here is that McCain is clearly miffed that he even has to debate or run against Obama. He thinks it's an insult.”

That’s it for now, folks. Look for the Day 13 and 14 blogs today from Sunday and today. Thanks for your patience with the blogs over the weekend. Things are looking great for Barack; we just need to keep our thoughts positive and focused on “President Barack Obama”, especially when you come across concerning news.

Keep it up,

Tara

Recap: Californians Drive for Change

Sarah Gallagher — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:08:13 EDT

Elizabeth Kim is a volunteer in Nevada.

This weekend Californians drove across state lines to canvass for Barack Obama alongside their Nevadan neighbors. The day started off with training sessions across the state. One group of Golden Staters got a quick tutorial on Nevada issues from NW Las Vegas Regional Field Director Evan Sutton.

Why is Nevada so important? Al Gore lost Nevada by 2% in 2000. If Nevada had turned, Gore would have won the election. The good news is that in previous cycles Democrats had a net negative of 8,000 registered voters in Nevada compared to Republicans. We now have a positive advantage of 75,000 registered Democrats over Republicans thanks to the hard work of our volunteers.

Click here to continue reading…

List of Local Obama Offices

Dem Pilafian — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:37:06 EDT

As the election activity heats up for the final push to November 4, a number of new local campaign offices have opened. For your convenience, they are listed on BayAreaForObama.com.

Bay Area Offices:
http://www.bayareaforobama.com/offices.html

Obama '08!

Debate party

Brian — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 04:16:39 EDT

Exciting news -- we had a debate party tonight and raised over $650. I'm hoping it helps -- as long as the rest of the campaign go as well as tonight's debate, we'll be in great shape.

Day Eleven Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:14:55 EDT

Dear Reader,

I am hoping that some of you will be able to read this before the debate tonight. This blog includes action steps, such as rating the debates and tips on what to watch for in the debates. Check it out:

1. ‘Get the Facts, Fight the Smears’ by Molly Claflin in her blog today on this website. She includes in her post, ‘At FightTheSmears.com, you can get the facts, as well as independent analysis from truth-checking sites like Snopes.com and Factcheck.com to fight back with accurate information. If you get a smear email, send it to watchdog@barackobama.com and help spread the truth.’ This is a good resource.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/mollyclaflinblog/gGgslR

2. ‘Better than Lipstick on a Pig’ by Timothy Karr in September 24, 2008's Huffington Post. He is the Campaign Director for Free Press.net and SavetheInternet.com and also calls for no-nonsense responses to media diversions in this election. See 3. for action steps to counteract this media slant.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/better-than-lipstick-on-a_b_128851.html

3. Free Press.net’s ‘Rate the Debates’. I received an email from them today that read 'Sign up to Rate the Debates yourself and return here (www.freepress.net/debates) when they air to begin rating. We’ll tally your response along with thousands of others and inject our people-powered feedback into the news cycle -- before the mainstream media pundits and spin doctors (mis)interpret the event.' Click on the link to sign up to Rate the Debates and cast your vote with the same link right after the debate. Please do this; we need some real polls.

http://www.freepress.net/debates

4. I received a ‘Vote by Mail’ email today from Mary Jane Stevenson from Barack's campaign. She writes, ‘Anyone registered to vote may apply for an absentee ballot. Applications to vote by absentee ballot must be received by Tuesday, October 28th…Voting by mail is a great way for Californians to show that they have made up their minds and are supporting the Obama-Biden ticket.’ Click on the link to apply for your absentee ballot that you'll need to print and mail by 10/28. This is not just available to Californians; click on the link for more information.

http://ca.barackobama.com/VFC

5. ‘What to Look For in Tonight’s Debate’ by Katharine Q. Seelye in today’s New York Times. She writes "that viewers will be guided by subtle cues". Check out her analysis to ensure that you know what to look for in tonight's debate and are not swayed by the consta pundits.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/if-they-debate-what-to-look-for/?8au&emc=au

6. CREDO Action from Working Assets’ ‘Pollworkers for Democracy’. I received an email from them today that read, "Imagine being told that you've lost the right to vote because the bank foreclosed your home. As sickening as that sounds, it's exactly what's being planned in some counties in Michigan and Ohio — and those are just the places we've heard about so far." Click on the link below to sign up to be a pollworker in your state that your county will train and pay you for; a direct, empowering way to further secure the vote.

http://act.credoaction.com/pollworkers/index.html

That's a wrap for today folks. I hope that all of you greatly enjoy the debate tonight and that you honor your intuition regarding how you feel and interpret the debate. Most of all, let's celebrate free speech, the art of debate, and the beauty of face-to-face communication. It takes guts and Barack has got them. Let's enjoy seeing him shine tonight and consider it a win for all of us who continue to support him in any way we know how.

Many cheers,

Tara

Day Ten Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:22:17 EDT

Dear Reader,

The following are some of the best news stories I have seen today that are pertinent to ensuring that Barack Obama becomes the next President of the United States.

1. 'Status of Debate Remains Uncertain' by Elisabeth Bumiller and Jeff Zeleny in today's New York Times. I am appalled that John McCain nor his campaign could not confirm or deny his participation in tomorrow's debate. It is dis-respectful to all of the viewers and participants and is the height of unprofessionalism. I hope someone picks up on this.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/us/politics/26debatecnd.html?nl=pol&emc=pola1

2. 'NYT/CBS News Poll: Going Negative' by Marjorie Connelly in today's New York Times. 56% say Barack is making it clear what he would do if elected rather than attacking John McCain. 38% say McCain is making it clear what he would do if elected and 56% say he is spending his time attacking Barack.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/nytcbs-news-poll-going-negative/?nl=pol&emc=pola2

3. 'As Homes Are Lost, Fears That Votes Will Be, Too' by Ian Urbina in today's New York Times. A concerning article about all of the folks who have had foreclosures who forgot to submit a change of address to the Election Board. We have seen this many times before. Demand that Barack's campaign continue all aggressive efforts to counteract this unfair voter strategy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/us/politics/25voting.html?nl=pol&emc=pola1

4. Marilyn Handler LeGette of Moss Beach, CA forwarded me ‘The Wicked Witch Is Dead. Why Aren't We Dancing in the Streets?' by Naomi Jaffe in today's CommonDreams.org News Center. Please see this article for a very different take on the Wall Street crisis. For me, it reminded me to attempt to see every side of an issue, especially the ones that are the hardest to understand.

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/09/25-3

That's it for today. I, for one, am hopeful about how Barack is doing this week, am happy both parties agreed on something (although I hope it was a fair deal), and will be staying tuned to how McCain handles himself moving forward as it is crucial that those watching pay close attention to his campaign and the media's coverage of his actions for response from Barack's campaign and his supporters. My prediction is that he is going to lose it in a bigger way sometime soon and that it will cost him this election. Let's pay very close attention to everything we see and read.

In trust,

Tara

McCain Throws Curve to Cover Up Another Mess

Mark Brickman — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:39:49 EDT

This has not been the best week for the McCain-Palin campaign. Well, that’s an understatement. His numbers are tanking in just about every state polling, his vice-presidential candidate is pretty much embarrassing herself every single day and his own discomfort with the economic condition of this country is becoming more and more apparent. But none of these things was enough to cause the McCain camp to come out and tell the world that they were suspending their campaign and that they wished to cancel tomorrow night’s debate with Barack Obama.

Then what was the huge calamity that suddenly caused John McCain to feel that he couldn’t go on with his regular schedule? Was it the economic disaster that is befalling our financial markets and the banking industry? Well, I sincerely doubt that. If that was the reason, then McCain would have headed to Washington on Monday or over this past weekend. Was it the fact that McCain was being summoned back to the Senate by Senate Leader Harry Reid or even perhaps by the president? Well, hardly. Not only was McCain not expected or needed to confuse the people negotiating this delicate deal in the making, but it was McCain himself who requested that the president invite he and Obama for today’s meeting.

No, McCain’s political world is crumbling around him. Word has made it to the mainstream media that John McCain’s own campaign manager, Rick Davis has had very close ties to beleaguered mortgage leader Freddie Mac and only went off their payroll last month. Records of the company show that Davis and/or his company have performed no specific task for Freddie Mac, and that leads one to conjecture that keeping Davis on the payroll was buying influence with the McCain presidential campaign, which not only belies previous statements of John McCain himself, but just continues to demonstrate McCain’s reliance on professional lobbyists and that he is just another Republican who has very close ties to big business and the very companies that are currently being bailed out by the federal government.

We have witnessed John McCain and his Rove-trained staff throwing this country a curve every time they need to change the subject. It started with the selection of Sarah Palin as the potential vice-president, and it has continued on about a weekly basis. I would strongly advise everyone, particularly all people interested in fairness and the future of this country, plus the mainstream media to keep their eye on the ball and not allow the Republican Party, currently represented by the McCain-Palin campaign, to divert our attention off of the subject at hand, whatever it is on any particular day. Sadly, John McCain’s motivations and actions are quite transparent, and he and his running mate should be held to the same standard that Barack Obama is held to and be forced to answer any and all questions that are prompted by their actions and agenda.

Day Nine Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:36:47 EDT

Dear Reader,

Please excuse the tardiness of yesterday, Day Nine's, blog. I decided to go out to a friend's ranch in La Honda, CA for some needed star and fire gazing. The following are links to some of yesterday's most concerning news.

1. 'McCain Loses His Head' by George F. Will as it appeared in September 23, 2008's Washington Post, forwarded to me by one of the most inspiring Alaskans I know. Will is known as a very conservative columnist and many believe that Will's voicing of his concerns about McCain's "dismaying temperament" is a step in the right direction of truth journalism.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/22/AR2008092202583.html?referrer=emailarticle

2. 'Obama Rebuffs McCain on Debate Delay' by Elisabeth Bumiller and Michael Cooper, as it appeared in September 24, 2008's New York Times. This article accurately follows the real timeline of how this debate delay issue was introduced and McCain's campaign history of the use of the delay card as a political campaign tool.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/us/politics/25mccain.html?8au&emc=au

3. The following YouTube video and petition from TheRealMcCain.com/doctors, produced by Robert Greenwald and the Brave New PAC was forwarded to me by John LeGette of Moss Beach, CA. Please watch this excellent video about why McCain's medical records need to be released, per the Presidental candidate's job requirements, sign the petition, and get the word out that someone who has had cancer 4 times and has been diagnosed with a cancer that has a 66% chance of re-appearing in the next 2 years, is not an appropriate candidate for the President of the United States.

http://therealmccain.com/doctors/?utm_source=rgemail

4. The following is an article entitled, 'I ghost-wrote letters to the editor for the McCain campaign' by Margriet Oostveen as it appeared in September 24, 2008's salon.com that John LeGette of Moss Beach, CA forwarded me. This article reveals the McCain's campaign's letter writing campaign of deceit.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/09/24/mccain_letters/

5. The following is a YouTube video entitled, 'David Letterman Reacts to John McCain Suspending Campaign' from his show last night. It is hilarious and it is important that Dave said as much as he did. Now, if we can get to Bill Clinton and figure out why he is talking up McCain so much or discover if the coverage of such is slanted. I will follow up on this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E

That's it for now. Stay tuned for my blog of today. I will be looking into the status of the debates, of this hopefully regulated bail-out agreement (of which Bush blamed the crisis on the mortgage loan recipients in his speech last night) and of the status of McCain's latest ploy to avert the democratic campaign process. All of this is good news for Barack. Let's make sure he stays ahead in the polls by, per the DNC, making sure he responds to every McCain attack within at least 24 hours.

With hope,

Tara

Sept. 24, 2008 - Letterman rips (!) on McCain for canceling

Suds — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:24:57 EDT

So McCain cancels on Letterman, saying he has to rush to Washington, then instead, he sits down for an interview with Katie Couric! Don't think David Letterman passed this opportunity up... Sure to be a classic...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E

Nancy Photenhauer - a posterchild GOP "Sycophant"

Suds — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:09:17 EDT

A good campaign time vocab word -
syc·o·phant (sĭk'ə-fənt, sī'kə-) Pronunciation Key
n. A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sycophant

In other words - people who suck up, or "brown nose" a person of influence for personal gain. The GOP-McCain monkey, Nancy Photenhauer, is a poster-child sycophant. See:
http://thisweekwithbarackobama.blogspot.com/2008/09/hardball-matthews-debunks-mccains.html

Why Sarah Palin cannot be elected Vice President...

Suds — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:50:51 EDT

Why Sarah Palin cannot be elected Vice President:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHvJPGnkQxE

Barack Morning Buzz - 9-24-08

Barack Daily Buzz - Victory2008.net — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:40:19 EDT

Barack Morning Buzz - 9-24-08
On to Victory in November

(1) New Poll-Obama Leads McCain 52% to 43%
Dan Balz-Washington Post-The Trail
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/24/post_poll_shows_challenge_for.html

(2) Economic Fears Give Obama Clear Lead over McCain in New Poll
Dan Balz and Jon Cohen-Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/23/AR2008092303667.html?hpid=topnews

(3) Poll Finds 18% of Voters Undecided
Liz Sidoti-Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gNO6MFpamP3jZftC_I4_oH7lXQXQD93D1RFG0

(4) Young Voters Solidly Behind Obama and Registering in Droves
Anne Ryman-Arizona Republic
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2008/09/24/20080924youthpoll0924.html

(5) Obama and McCain Refine Plans for Handling Economic Crisis
Peter Nicholas and Bob Drogin-Los Angeles Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008199077_econcamp24.html

(6) Obama and McCain Plot Tricky Course on Finance Crisis
Agence France Presse-AFP
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iuaFYLrvzN2pkK7uFil47GitCI9w

(7) McCain Calls Friday Debate Important and Praises Obama's Eloquence
Robert Barnes-Washington Post-The Trail
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/23/AR2008092303438.html

(8) Women Heavily Favor Obama in Donations
Brody Mullins and Mary Jacoby-Wall Street Journal-Politics & Campaign
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122213281072465941.html

(9) Hillary Clinton Says Obama "Best Placed to Sort Out Economic Mess"
Belfast Telegraph
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/world/europe/obama-best-placed-to-sort-out-economic-mess-says-hillary-13981542.html

(10) Illinois Expects Obama to Make Big Impact
Judy Keen-USA Today-2008 Election Coverage
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-23-50stateillinois_N.htm?csp=34

(11) Change We Need Community Gathering with Biden in Greensburg, Pennsylvania-9-25-08
Greensburg Salem High School Gymnasium-65 Mennel Drive
Doors open at 8:30 AM-Event begins at 10:30 AM
Event is free and open to public-Tickets first come, first served
No bags, signs or banners permitted for security reasons
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/pajbgreensburg/

(12) Change We Need Community Gathering with Biden in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania-9-25-08
Nesbitt Park-180 Market Street
Doors open at 1:00 PM-Event begins at 2:30 PM
Event is free and open to public-Tickets first come, first served
No bags, signs or banners permitted for security reasons
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/pajbwilkesbarre/

George Will blasts McCain - McCain caught lying again about Rick Davis and Freddie Mac

Suds — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:31:16 EDT

Kablam!,...a shot from the right - at the right (wrong)...the wheels of the lying right wing start to come off...
"It is arguable that, because of his inexperience, Obama is not ready for the presidency. It is arguable that McCain, because of his boiling moralism and bottomless reservoir of certitudes, is not suited to the presidency. Unreadiness can be corrected, although perhaps at great cost, by experience. Can a dismaying temperament be fixed?" - Conservative Commentator, George Will

Read the whole thing, it's great...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/22/AR2008092202583.html

PS - McCain caught lying yet again - True story: Rick Davis, McCain's own Campaign Manager, in bed with Freddie Mac! - http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0908/Rick_Davis_lobbying_firm_took_Freddie_Mac_money_through_last_month.html

Day Eight Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:04:05 EDT

Dear Reader,

The most important thing I can say at this moment in time, in regards to this election, is: Stop talking about Sarah Palin-it is a diversion from McCain's deplorable record. All of the following articles are from the New York Times and are about McCain, from his campaign strategy to his record. We need to wake the media and ourselves up from the slumber that is the McCain campaign's media strategy. It goes something like this: McCain's record for botched economic policy and scandal, episodes of public rage and untreated PTSD resulting from being a POW, and daily position reversal, add up to a very unstable individual that the American public knows very little about.

I, for one, am making a commitment today to provide as much information about John McCain as I can collect on a daily basis in this blog. Please pay close attention to 1. 'Truthiness Stages a Comeback'. This is Frank Rich's take on Palin as diversion from McCain; it is packed with links to McCain past major fiascos and creates an accurate summary of the most concerning aspects of John McCain that I have seen to date.

1. 'Truthiness Stages a Comeback'

By FRANK RICH

Published: September 20, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/opinion/21rich.html?scp=1&sq=Truthiness%20Makes%20A%20Comeback&st=cse

2. 'The New McCain: More Aggressive and Scripted on the Campaign Trail'

By ADAM NAGOURNEY

Published: September 18, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/us/politics/19mccain.html?pagewanted=all

3. 'McCain Seen as Less Likely to Bring Change, Poll Finds'

By ROBIN TONER and ADAM NAGOURNEY

Published: September 17, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/us/politics/18poll.html?pagewanted=all

4. 'McCain Barbs Stirring Outcry as Distortions'

By MICHAEL COOPER and JIM RUTENBERG

Published: September 12, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/us/politics/13mccain.html?pagewanted=all

5. 'The Push to ‘Otherize’ Obama'

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

Published: September 20, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/opinion/21kristof.html?pagewanted=all#

6. I received an email from Brent Turner of the 'Obama San Mateo CA' forwarded from the 'ElectionReformActivistsforObama', both public groups on this website, that included the vote below. Please follow the www.stealingamericathemovie.org home page's to do list for vote count safety actions. People are still confused about this issue; demand that Barack and the media make voter integrity an issue NOW.

"FLA Gov. Crist ( R ) was on the Today Show this morning-When asked about the integrity of the election-Crist glanced downward and muttered things would be OK because FLA now has paper trails or ballots--what he termed “paper back-up“.

Is it possible that Gov Crist really doesn’t know the difference between paper trails and ballots? As the Governor of the state that launched the US down the road to moral and financial ruin… does he have a duty to know what a ballot is? For the record, a paper “trail” is the little cash register tape under glass that has been proven to be yet another fiasco-This model was bastardized by the same folks that took the 7.5 + million fed dollars to provide solution–and then went underground. A paper ballot must meet legal requirements and is far preferable as more manageable to audit, and less easy to game.

Again-We must always have a paper ballot- no substitutes. Also, any computer system involved must be free of corporate owned software, as “secret“ software destroys citizen oversight of cross verification.

To see the public officials apparently 'confused' at this late date is startling.

The best thing we can do now is get out in large numbers as early as possible".

That is it for today, folks. I hope everyone is getting excited for the debate this Friday and feeling good about whatever they are contributing to Barack's campaign. Being informed, spreading information, contributing to blogs, putting an Obama sticker on your car, sign on your lawn if able, are all ways we can all contribute to a Democratic win. So is keeping a positive attitude and focusing our intention on Barack being the next President of the United States. One way to secure this intention is to limit the amount of time you spend listening to the pundits and in consciously choosing your own sound bytes for Barack.

Trust your intuition,

Tara

Let me see if I have this straight...

Suds — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:40:08 EDT

I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight...

If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different." Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, and it's a quintessential American story?

If your name is Barack some try and say you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim. Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, and you're a maverick?

Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable, but if you attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded?

If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees,...you don't have any real leadership experience?

If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive?

If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian?

If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian?

If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society?

If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible?

If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's?

If your husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25, and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable?

OK, much clearer now,...not.

Day Seven Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:01:25 EDT

Dear Reader,

Happy Fall Equinox today; the first day of fall. On this auspicious day, let's utilize the power of our great universe to manifest something beautiful for America. The following are a few ways you can do such.

1. The following is a link, sent out by MoveOn.org today, to a petition that everyone should sign telling Congress they support Barack's principles for responding to the Wall Street crisis. Once you sign the petition, you will be provided with your local representatives' names and numbers to contact as well. These calls are important; please make them in an attempt to avert the burden of $2,000 being placed on every American to put Wall Street ahead of Main Street, once again.

http://pol.moveon.org/wallstreet/o.pl?id=13979-4839224-Qs6cEFx&t=3

2. The following is an excerpt from the same above referenced MoveOn.org email outlining the principles Barack laid out over the weekend. The above petition reinforces these ideas-let's continue to circulate them so folks do not believe the hype that we need to hand Bush a $700 billion dollar check with no strings attached. We will not subsidize the rich any longer!

'No blank check. We must insist on independent accountability and oversight.
Main Street, not just Wall Street. We need an emergency economic plan to help working families—a plan that would help folks cope with rising gas and food prices, create infrastructure jobs, etc.
Help homeowners stay in their homes. We cannot have a plan for Wall Street banks that does not help homeowners stay in their homes and help distressed communities.
Taxpayers should be protected. This should not be a handout to Wall Street.
Rescue requires mutual responsibility. Institutions that benefit from taxpayer help must help protect American homeowners and the American economy. We cannot underwrite continued irresponsibility.
Build a regulatory structure for the 21st Century. We should commit ourselves to new rules of the road for the 21st Century economy.
A global response. The United States must lead, but we must also insist that other nations, who have a huge stake in the outcome, join us in helping to secure the financial markets.'

3. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, the following are your calls to make:

Senator Dianne Feinstein
Phone: 202-224-3841

Senator Barbara Boxer
Phone: 202-224-3553

Congresswoman Jackie Speier
Phone: 202-225-3531

4. For those of you Coastside Democrats and coastal lovers, come on down tomorrow night to make some calls for Barack. It is fun, a great way to connect with folks, and a good use of your energy for Barack as we will be calling folks in Nevada who could make or break this election. Please see below for more information.

Keep Calling for Change in Half Moon Bay

Time: Tuesday, September 23 at 5:30 PM - 3 hours
Location: Zaballa House, 326 Main St. Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

You can view the details of this event at any time by going to:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsxlmw

That’s a wrap for today folks. I hope everyone enjoys this special day in some remarkable way and uses this change of season to step up their support of Barack. Our chance is now-let’s do everything we can.

Be well,

Tara

Day Six Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:58:18 EDT

Dear Reader,

I got behind this weekend, so there will be three blogs today; this being 2 of 3. Check these links out:

1. My sister forwarded me this blog entitled, 'This is Your Nation on White Privilege (Updated)' by Tim Wise from September 13, 2008's 'Red Room-where the writers are' site.

http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise/this-your-nation-white-privilege-updated

2. My sister also forwarded me CODEPINK'S Platform for Peace and Security. Check it out below and ensure that your local representatives are talking about all of these important issues. There are plenty of great action steps on their website.

http://www.codepink4peace.org/article.php?id=43303.

3. John LeGette of Moss Beach, CA forwarded me the following link for 'Welcome to the Final Stages of the Coup...' by Larisa Alexandrovna as it appeared in the September 21, 2008 edition of the Huffington Post and today's CommonDreams.org News Center.

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/09/21-0

4. The following article, 'Barack Obama, John McCain and the Language of Race' by Brent Staples appeared in yesterday's Opinion section of the New York Times. It is sad, but true.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/opinion/22observer.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Stay tuned for part 3 of 3 of today's blogs. You can access all of my blogs for Barack by clicking on the following link and by clicking on 'Tara Bradley's Blog'. Please send me a message on this site or an email at: bradleyconsulting@att.net if you would like to receive this blog via email daily vs. going to this site yourself.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/tarabradley/gG5qMM

Here's to a great week of Barack pulling further ahead,

Tara

Day Five Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:01:37 EDT

Dear Reader,

This blog entry was erased yesterday while writing it. Here it is again.

Boy, did I see some interesting things on TV last night. I don't have a TV so it is always interesting to see what they are talking about. Between Keith Obermann, Rachael Maddow, Amy Goodman's Democracy Now and Laura Flanders' Grit TV, I gathered a wealth of concerning information. Throw Michael Moore's new book about this election into the mix, and you have a good recipe for alternative news. The following are as series of links for additional news you will not hear on any of the mainstream stations.

1. 'McCain and Palin are laughing at the press--and it's the press' fault' by Eric Boehlert on September 16, 2008's Media Matters for America site. Thanks Marilyn Handler LeGette of Moss Beach, CA for forwarding this article.

http://mediamatters.org/columns/200809160015

2. 'Israel's October Surprise?' by Jamal Dajani in September 19, 2008's Huffington Post, forwarded to me by a great watchdog in Anchorage, Alaska.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamal-dajani/israels-october-surprise_b_127671.html

3. The following list of Republican activities was forwarded to me by John LeGette of Moss Beach, CA. Unfortunately, I do not have the reference for this information, but unfortunately, all of it is true. Let's demand accountability for every party's involvements and choices.

The republican party is a part of the following:

abhu ghraib

Secret Gulags

Renditioning

Torture of prisoners

Death of Habeus Corpus

Patriot Act

NSA Spying on Americans

Page pedophilia and political coverup

Karl Rove

Mark Foley

Dennis Hastert

Ted Haggard

Jack Abramhoff

Robert Ney

David Safavian

Duke Cunningham

Tom De Lay

Bill Frist

Tom Noe

Terry Schiavo

Jeff Gannon

Senator Larry E. – I am not gay -

Craig Curt Weldon

Lester Crawford

Roberto Gonzales

John Bolton

Ted Stevens - bridge to nowhere

Sara Palin

John McCain

Plamegate – outing a CIA agent!

Iraq – until 2010?

- At $2,000,000,000.00 a week

- With 14,000 missing US weapons

- Stop lossing

- Increased soldier suicide

- And Overdeployment of troops until things like the Haditha Troop Murder of civilians.

Mission Accomplished

Stay the Course Afghanistan – Until ?

- why are we there?

- At what cost?

- Why is opium production at record levels with our troops there?

Katrina

FEMA cronyism

Nuclear North Korea

Tax cuts for upper 2%

Price of gas in San Francisco 1/1/2000 – $1.75

Price of gas in San Francisco 9/1/2008 - $ 3.90

Bank Failures since 2000

Lehman Brothers

Merrill Lynch

4. I wanted to share how inspired I was when I heard Congresswomen Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier speak yesterday at a Coastside Democrat party in Princeton, CA. First, I'd like to thank Win Dell'Ario of Miramar, CA for taking me to this event in lieu of a flat tire and for helping me obtain a lawn sign for my highly visible front lawn. These women spoke of an end to "cowboy capitalism" and to the importance of promising to do something for Barack every day until the election. My thoughts went to, "I wonder how many people really read this blog and if it is really making a difference" and I decided regardless of the perceived outcome, it is a promise I am willing to make, if only for a place to put my hope and faith in an Obama/Biden win. Chills ran down my spine as these women stated that they were sure Barack would win, but that it would not be easy and that it would require every possible effort. So, every possible effort it is until the election. Won't you continue to join me in this fight? Never in our country's history has the risk of not doing so been so great.

Telling the truth,

Tara

Separate, but Unequal

MikeB MoveOn — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 23:19:28 EDT

When the framers of the constitution put the pinnings in place for our Federal government, they did it with a wary eye of one man, or one branch, having too much power. Having lived under a repressive monarchy, they knew that given unlimited power, Presidents could easily become despots. I wonder what happened to those separation of powers embodied in our nation's most sacred document? How can George Bush ignore FISA courts set up by Congress and the Judiciary branch? How does John McCain get off with saying that telecom companies who broke the law should get retroactive immunity? How can Sarah Palin say "well, we won't be cooperating with that inquiry"? She is basically thumbing her nose at one of the things that has ensured our country will endure. We don't get to decide when we will obey the will of the judiciary or the legislature. What does this say about a McCain presidency? Will it be 8 more years of separate but vastly unequal?

Drill Baby Drill

MikeB MoveOn — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 23:07:05 EDT

I watched the Republican Convention in part just to see how good each of the speakers were and in part to understand the other side of the issues. I can't tell you how disgusted I was to hear the chanting of "Drill Baby Drill" when it came time to discussing our energy independence and the environment. I mean, come on, is this REALLY all the Republicans can come up with? I've heard lip service to "encouraging alternative energy" for the last 8 years with absolutely no action whatsoever. We've basically become the pariah of the world in terms of the amount of destruction we mete out on the planet that belongs to all of us.

Also, I don't get the embracing of the Republican agenda wholeheartedly by fundamentalist Christians and many people of faith in general. What could be more fundamentally Christian than the concept of stewardship and the understanding that God chartered Adam and Eve to care for the world He gave them?

Day Four Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:04:40 EDT

Dear Reader,

Day Four. I can say that I feel a lot more empowered on day four than I did on day one of this blog. As somebody who had not so much as visited Barack's site before, I have easily been able to start a blog, join groups, sign up for local events, be networked with local supporters, and will be trained to register other voters and have participated in a local and home phone bank by next Tuesday. Let's all take this next step to get more involved-it is fun, makes you feel good and is an integral part of our nation's history. I know you have heard it before, but it is true. Did you know they have a Bob Dylan for Barack group (paraphrased)? A Law of Attraction for Barack (paraphrased) group? Let's support what is working about Barack's campaign as well.

Now, onto the other news of the day:

1. One of my best information dispersers from Anchorage, Alaska forwarded me this article that speaks to what many of us have been thinking, "How dummed down are we going to go?"

'Making America Stupid' by Thomas Friedman as it appeared in the September 13, 2008 Op-Ed section of the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/opinion/14friedman.html?ei=5070&emc=eta1

2. I just discovered that I inserted the wrong link in September 17, 2008's 'Day Two Barack Blog' number 4. I meant to include the link for 'McCain invents the blackberry, cell phones and WiFi' by blogger DevilsTower from the Daily Kos on September 16, 2008 and I included the link for 'Throw the bums out!'-say the bums' by Garrison Keillor from September 11, 2008's Baltimore Sun. Please excuse this error. My apologies to John LeGette who forwarded me both of these links. The following is the link for the blackberry story:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/16/63238/2462/721/600320

3. Many of you have probably already seen this, but for those of you visiting this site to view this blog, you may not have seen it. 'It is a two-minute TV ad about our economy and my (Barack's) plan to solve this crisis' as stated in the email I received from the Obama for America campaign. You can sign up for news alerts from the campaign to arrive in your email inbox by visiting Barack's home page.

http://my.barackobama.com/economyvideo

4. MoveOn.org's '10 things to know about McCain'. Forward this to all of your friends; it is clear, concise, and hard-hitting.

http://pol.moveon.org/mccain10/email.html?rc=homepage

5. While at MoveOn.org you can also contribute and gain information on how you can join Al Gore in supporting Kay Hagan, Mark Udall, and Al Franken in their current Senatorial races to secure these clean energy champions' seats. Nice job Al; let's keep it coming Dems!

https://pol.moveon.org/give/energy.html?id=13906-4839224-sB1zHHx&t=3

That is a wrap for tonight. I hope that everyone has fun supporting Barack in the best ways they know how to this weekend and I will keep blogging Monday-Sunday until November 6, 2008. Please feel free to submit your comments to this blog on this site as well.

Si se puede (Yes we can),

Tara

Day Three Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:30:34 EDT

Dear Reader,

Sorry for the delay in the blog. There will be two today. The following are a series of good links that were forwarded to me via email. I am going to break them up into a two-part series today because there are simply too many to list in one blog post.

1. Click on the following link to vote in 'PBS' short video - takes 5 seconds to vote Palin NOT qualified...' It is a NOW poll whose polling tactics we can count on. Thanks to my Anchorage, Alaska Rebel Rocker pal for forwarding, and to Bill Moyers for conceiving.

http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

2. The following is an article and blog from the Huffington Post forwarded to me by Marilyn Handler LeGette of Moss Beach, CA. She feels that both articles are rich in ad strategies.

She writes, "Also, ads must be put out now showing what would've happened if the Bush-McCain Privitization of Social Security had been passed, where seniors' monthly checks would reflect the the Wall Street 'Casino Culture' (McCain lying, new soundbyte). After this crash, their piddling checks would be slashed, they'd be buying dog food and really going without their meds in record numbers."

'Women Leaders Hold Press Conference on the Presidential Election' by Marcia G. Yerman as it appeared in the September 18, 2008 edition of the Huffington Post.

Marilyn writes of the article, "This is key info to be used in ads re: women's vote, along with the fact that Palin charged women for their own rape kits and denied monies to protect women from sexual predators."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcia-g-yerman/women-leaders-hold-press_b_127277.html

'Country First (or, How The Media Loves a Lipsticked Rumsfeld)' by Sean Penn as it appeared in the September 16, 2008 edition of the Huffington Post.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sean-penn/country-first-or-how-the_b_126965.html

3. Jim Fadiman, PhD., whose family is behind the new movie, 'Stealing America the Movie', said the following about how we can counter the vote count issue NOW. Thanks for the clear action steps Jim.

"See the to do list on the home page of www.stealingamericathemovie.org

One thing you can do is to let the Obama campagin know that if they want to win the vote count, not just the vote, they have to make election integrity an issue. If they don't they will lose the count as they have in 2000 and 2004. The Republicans are working hard to steal if confident that the Dems will once again pretend not to know or notice. Don't know why but that's the game. Order a DVD ( $5.00), see the film and get your Obama local to host a showing and save this democracy."

4. The following YouTube video and article were forwarded to me by an un-named community organizer from Anchorage, Alaska. The video is absoultely shocking. From this guy to Palin's Pastor who has made anti-semetic remarks while Palin shows up to supposedly support Isreal this week, we need to get these truths out.

'McCain's Pastor: US Should Destroy Islam' by Brave New Films & Mother Jones as it appeared in the May 8, 2008 edition of The Nation.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080526/rod_video

5. My sister forwarded me this article highlighting the truth about McCain's environmental policy that is the antithesis of green. Shocking? No, but very good talking points about how bad it truly is.

'And Then There Was One' by Thomas L. Friedman as in appeared in the September 2, 2008 Op-Ed section of the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/opinion/03friedman.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=And%20Then%20There%20Was%20One&st=cse&oref=slogin

6. The following link was forwarded to me by John LeGette of Moss Beach, CA. McCain vs. Obama's tax plan alarmingly laid out with the help of a good-looking graph.

'Competing Tax Plans: Two Perspectives' by Justin Wolfers from the September 16, 2008 NYT

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/competing-tax-plans-two-perspectives/?hp

That's it for part 1 of 2 of today. Please get this information out, whether it be by email, posting it on other blogs/news sources, and through glorious word of mouth. What are we all doing for Barack this weekend? It is Women's Week and there are TONS of actions available. Just check your local Barack group, which can be located by typing your zip code into the search engine on Barack's home page. Keeping digging up articles on McCain and his policies; that's how we can create some real news.

Keep the faith,

Tara

McCain vs. McCain - a Pattern of Consistent Inconsistency and Denial

Suds — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:09:01 EDT

When you interview a potential employee there is a great amount of effort that goes into observing that person's pattern of behavior in other places. You also fact check to verify that what they say is true.

This coming election could not be more serious. Our national and global stability and reputation is at risk. "We the people" must "hire" who we will put in charge in the White House. This person and their running mate must engender the respect of world leaders because our global relations have a direct effect on our national concerns. These 2 people must be believable, consistent, and knowledgeable. We must carefully review their patterns of behavior and veracity - before hiring them.

Please spend a few minutes watching the following brief video clips. You will see a person who has consistently reversed position with the wind. Worse,...and this is crucial,...you will see a person actually deny saying many things he has said clearly before, on the record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioy90nF2anI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgvgBpXPMko&feature=related

John McCain chose his own running mate under pressure from his managers. He wanted Joe Lieberman, they wanted Sarah Palin. He caved. Mr. McCain's past war history cannot cover his 90% Bush related voting record or his consistent inconsistency on many issues. His long pattern of denying behavior is clear. Sarah Palin also openly denies her own recorded behavior (she did support the "Bridge to nowhere", etc.). McCain/Palin have lied to us already. What do you think they will do if elected? They will continue a pattern.

The nation cannot afford the damage that the McCain/Palin ticket will bring. We are suffering deeply from the effects of an 8 year administration that has lied to the world and to it's own citizens consistently.

It is time to reverse the pattern. It is time for real change. It is time for Obama/Biden.

Day Two Barack Blog

Tara Bradley — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:30:24 EDT

Dear Reader,

Thank you to the friends I sent this blog out to who forwarded me information and their support. The following is a list of just a few of the clips folks emailed me.

I know everybody has a little library going and I feel it is adamant that we get this info out to the general public through the only close to free news circulation

vehicle available to us, the Internet, and through our harmonic voices. I apologize for the spacing issues; I am still trying to figure this format out.

First, I 'd like to thank a friend of mine from Moss Beach, CA for filing me in on her current concerns regarding this election. I am waiting for consent on releasing her name,

so I will summarize the basic ideas here and follow with a reference tomorrow if allowed. She follows the media coverage closely and has a history of precise analysis of

American politics and society. Paraphrased, she said that her main concerns were that the Democratic party was not unified enough, that they were not fighting back hard

enough, that there were vote count issues that she did not think could be solved in time for this election, and that the Democratic fat cats like Gore, Kerry, the Clintons and co.

need to be on the street every day doing everything that they possibly can. That Barack's campaign needs some hard-hitting ads depicting McCain's time in the service that does

not include being a war hero. That everybody needs to step it up, big time. That this election is about race and sex. That we

must give our money and our attention to putting out amazing ads for Barack and that whomever reading this has the ear of the Barack campaign better get him some good

strategists and quick. Ah, the nutshell; a strategic plan.

Jim Fadiman, PhD., psychologist, author, consultant and ITP Co-founder forwarded me a link for his family’s movie about stealing the vote that is now playing in SF, Berkeley,

and San Jose (held over another week). Check it out to see what we can do about it. He said, “But unless we count the votes fairly, he (Barack) could easily win by millions of

votes and be declared 'the loser'.”

www.stealingamericathemovie.org

3.

An un-named friend from Anchorage, Alaska forwarded me these pictures from Saturday’s Palin protest in Anchorage, as they appeared in the Anchorage Daily News. Scroll forward

past the Palin family pictures to that of the protesters. This was one of the largest protests in Alaska to date and as a former community organizer there, I can appreciate what a feat

that truly is.

http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/story/525510.html

John LeGette of Moss Beach, CA forwarded me an arsenal of extensive information concerning McCain and concerning Republican links. I am going to have to release this stuff over a

course of blogs-look for it. His words about this clip: "Check the link about him claiming credit for inventing the blackberry. That's from today (9/16/08). How did he do that when

Rove says he can't operate a computer because of his war wounds? Rove should be ashamed of saying that (last Saturday I think) even if McCain’s hands were crushed. Stephen

Hawking can barely move an eyebrow and he can use a computer perfectly. Hopefully the disabled will pick up on that." Please make sure all of your ADA contacts know about

this.“McCain invents the blackberry, cell phones and WiFi”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.keillor11sep11,0,5402989.story

5.

An un-named friend from Anchorage, Alaska forwarded me this Palin 2006 Vetting today. This is basically an encyclopedia of all of Palin’s actions while in public service. It is

astonishing, long, and excellent reference material. You will have to copy it into your browser as I cannot get this software to do much.

http://us.mc800.mail.yahoo.com/mc/showMessage?fid=Inbox&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&.rand=584222051&da=0&midIndex=5&prevMid=1_

12809_AGJck0UAAIZOSNCnhA4THEbDBJQ&nextMid=1_12054_AHpck0UAAWRESNCmFQFVRDmlDJM&m=1_16980_AGRck0UAAM3KSNGgZwBM912Q9GA,

1_16260_AGRck0UAAWUUSNFDOgkpJV1d5wE,1_14329_AHZck0UAAAvpSNEicgEPMhHwKYo,1_13183_AHxck0UAANCWSNCptw5QZyFWe5w,

1_12809_AGJck0UAAIZOSNCnhA4THEbDBJQ,1_12446_AGhck0UAAQvTSNCnBA7i%2F34XPkg,1_12054_AHpck0UAAWRESNCmFQFVRDmlDJM,

1_11662_AG5ck0UAAW86SNCl0Ai3MymQlPw,1_11249_AGhck0UAANj%2BSNB9pQCP8W441Qw,

1_10135_AG5ck0UAASV5SNBDiAkMRQ3g2uc,&mid=1_12446_AGhck0UAAQvTSNCnBA7i%2F34XPkg&fn=palin-2006-vetting.pdf&pid=2&vs=1&ypa=1

Juan Carlos Pometta Betancourt, SF Examiner photographer and www.eyeofpassion.com private photographer, forwarded me his friend, Moira Noiseux’s,

Barack blog from today pointing out some key ironic points about how the media is covering the candidates. Let’s not believe the hype and encourage each other

to do the same.

American? Obama '08!!!Share
Today at 4:53pm
(By: Moira Noiseux)

“ I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight.....
* If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic,
different."
* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.
* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
* Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
* Graduate from Harvard law School you are unstable.
* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well
grounded.
* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first
black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive
that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law
professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with
over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human
Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a
state of 13 million people while sponsoring or co-sponsoring 131 bills and
serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's
Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council
and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as
the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to
become the country's second highest ranking executive.
* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2
beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real
Christian.
* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your
disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the
proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
* If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other
option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen
daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.
* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a
prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community,
then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent
America's.
* If you're husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI
conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age
25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska
from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

OK, much clearer now.”

7.

My sister forwarded me this email entitled, “Palin’s Banned Reading List”. No comment; too insane, other than to say let’s make sure we’ve read all of these books

instead of following the next Oprah recommendation. “ The following is a list of books that Sarah Palin tried to get banned when she was Mayor of Wasilla. This information

is taken from the official minutes of the Wasilla Library Board.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Blubber by Judy Blume
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Canterbury Tales by Chaucer
Carrie by Stephen King
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Christine by Stephen King
Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Cujo by Stephen King
Curses, Hexes, and Spells by Daniel Cohen
Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite
Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Peck
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
Decameron by Boccaccio
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Fallen Angels by Walter Myers
Fanny Hill (Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure) by John Cleland
Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Forever by Judy Blume
Grendel by John Champlin Gardner
Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Have to Go by Robert Munsch
Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Impressions edited by Jack Booth
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
It's Okay if You Don't Love Me by Norma Klein
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
Little Red Riding Hood by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Love is One of the Choices by Norma Klein
Lysistrata by Aristophanes
More Scary Stories in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and
Christopher Collier
My House by Nikki Giovanni
My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara
Night Chills by Dean Koontz
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
One Day in The Life of Ivan Denisovich by
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Ordinary People by Judith Guest
Our Bodies, Ourselves by Boston Women's
Health Collective
Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl
Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones by Alvin
Schwartz
Scary Stories in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
Separate Peace by John Knowles
Silas Marner by George Eliot
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Bastard by John Jakes
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Devil's Alternative by Frederick Forsyth
The Figure in the Shadows by John Bellairs
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Snyder
The Learning Tree by Gordon Parks
The Living Bible by William C. Bower
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
The New Teenage Body Book by Kathy McCoy and
Charles Wibbelsman
The Pigman by Paul Zindel
The Seduction of Peter S. by Lawrence Sanders
The Shining by Stephen King
The Witches by Roald Dahl
The Witches of Worm by Zilpha Snyder
Then Again, Maybe I Won't by Judy Blume
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary by the
Merriam-Webster Editorial Staff
Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the
Halloween Symbols by Edna Barth “

8. My sister also forwarded me this email today entitled, “Time for women to stand up and make some noise!”

“Friends, compatriots, fellow-lamenters,

We are writing to you because of the fury and dread we have felt since the announcement of Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential
candidate for the Republican Party. We believe that this terrible decision has surpassed mere partisanship, and that it is a dangerous
farce—on the part of a pandering and rudderless Presidential candidate—that has a real possibility of becoming fact. Perhaps like us, as American women, you share the

fear of what Ms. Palin and her professed beliefs and proven record could
lead to for ourselves and for our present or future daughters. To date,
she is against sex education, birth control, the pro-choice platform, environmental protection, alternative energy development,
freedom of speech (as Mayor she wanted to ban books and attempted to fire the librarian who stood against her), gun control, the
separation of church and state, and polar bears. To say nothing of her complete lack of real preparation to become the second-most-powerful
person on the planet.

We want to clarify that we are not against Sarah Palin as a woman, a mother, or, for that matter, a parent of a pregnant
teenager, but solely as a rash, incompetent, and all together devastating choice for Vice President. Ms. Palin's political views are in every way a slap in
the face to the accomplishments that our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers so fiercely fought for, and that we've so
demonstrably benefited from.

First and foremost, Ms. Palin does not represent us. She does not demonstrate or uphold our interests as American women. It
is presumed that the inclusion of a woman on the Republican ticket could win over women voters. We want to disagree, publicly.

Therefore, we invite you to reply here with a short, succinct message about why you, as a woman living in this country, do not
support this candidate as second-in-command for our nation.

Please include your name (last initial is fine), age, and place of residence.We will post your responses on a blog called "Women Against Sarah Palin," which we intend to

publicize as widely as possible. Please send us your reply at your earliest convenience—the greater the volume of responses we receive, the stronger our message will be.

Thank you for your time and action.

VIVA!

Sincerely,

Quinn Latimer and Lyra Kilston
New York, NY
womensaynopalin@gmail.com

**PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY! If you send this to 20 women in the next
hour, you could be blessed with a country that takes your concerns seriously. Stranger things have happened.”

And the inbox continues to fill with more articles. Let’s keep talking, mostly about McCain’s positions and about countering the incessant Republican

cannon that is the media.

Keep it positive, keep the faith and keep it real,

Tara

My First Blog for Barack Obama

Tara Bradley — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:17:10 EDT

Dear Reader,

My name is Tara Bradley. I am a Hillary Rodham Clinton supporter and former blogger and a Barack Obama supporter. This blog post is evidence of the human ability to change one's mind and to adapt to one's environment-a skill our ancestors used to call shape-shifting that has more recently become known as flip-flopping.

As many of us acknowledge, the Democratic primary system is flawed, but that is old news, or is it? Is it old news that we fought to integrate the best of two candidates and spent much of our energy doing such? Is it old news that even though I have not watched much of the television coverage since the Democratic Convention that we have only heard about Sarah Palin. I can solemnly state, as an 8 year resident of the State of Alaska, that there is no new news there except for as a diversion from what the Democrats need to be focusing on: getting Middle America to the polls, raising money for Barack's advertising budget, and mobilizing every Democrat to fight for Barack with everything they've got until Election Day.

I have been talking about writing this blog since I saw Barack speak at the Democratic Convention. I was one of those who needed to be convinced, that needed to see past the preachiness of his past speeches and into the eyes of someone I could place my trust in. I heard him hit some 27 odd policy points, pay great respect to HRC, and to call for politics with dignity. I saw Hillary and Bill call upon her 18 million supporters to place their confidence in Barack. I chose to make the choice to support him on my own and to follow through with this blog that I will update every day until Election Day because I believe in him and I believe in Democracy.

My story has been told and heard before yet still, there have been times when I shared my story with Barack supporters and have felt a response of "I told you so" that felt unproductive, from one who crossed a deep ocean of humility in losing HRC's chance at presidency and in making the switch. I heard stories and read emails of HRC supporters who did not feel so much as welcomed by Barack's campaign. Then, I saw the Convention and was overjoyed with the possibility and the hope that lay before us. Then, all I heard was Sarah Palin-of how Alaskan activist friends of mine were afraid to speak out against her, equating her to that of a dangerous bully. On Sunday, I heard that 1500 Alaskans protested Sarah when she came to Alaska and that the organizer whom was a friend of a friend received threatening calls at home after an interviewer released her home phone number. I received an email from a, yes, community organizer in Wasilla who detailed the facts and fictions about Sarah. And I thought, "What about the election? What about all of the energy generated from the Convention? Don't tell me people are letting the rumormill that is the Republican-controlled media side track them again. I have to see what anyone is doing about any of this nonsense".

I have just begun my inquiry which will be detailed in this blog, but my intuition and history tell me that not much is being done about this simplistic bait and switch strategy which has cost all of us the last 8 years of our lives. No more for me. Here is a list off of the top of my head of Democratic efforts that are currently underway and can be easily accessed:

1. I received an email from a friend of Planned Parenthood today stating that McCain released an
outrageous television ad attacking Sen. Obama for supporting legislation to ensure that children are taught how to protect themselves from sexual predators. Watch the video from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund fighting back against Sen. McCain's dishonest smear and support it.

http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/truthad?rk=d7aIQw51F3r7W

2. I had to ask myself: "Didn't I just get an email about McCain's worst ad yet?" MoveOn.org sent an email out today entitled, 'Karl Rove: McCain has gone "too far"‏'. Here is their response in support of Rove's accusations. They need more money to get it out: please donate if you are able to do so.

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/myfriends2.html?id=13871-4839224-cQeUvXx&t=3

3. Jambase.com recently sent out an email from their voter registration campaign, HeadCount.org, where you can do everything from register to vote, get voting information, win VIP tickets to Bonnaroo 2009, to buy a Pollack print to support the cause.

http://www.jambase.com/emails/Other/HeadCount/2008-Register/index.html

4. My sister just emailed me this piece on Sarah Palin from Eve Ensler, the American playwright, performer, feminist, and activist best known for 'The Vagina Monologues'.

" Drill, Drill, Drill......

I am having Sarah Palin nightmares. I dreamt last night that she was a member of a club where they rode snowmobiles and wore the claws of drowned and starved polar bears around their necks. I have a particular thing for Polar Bears. Maybe it's their snowy whiteness or their bigness or the fact that they live in the arctic or that I have never seen one in person or touched one. Maybe it is the fact that they live so comfortably on ice. Whatever it is, I need the polar bears.

I don't like raging at women. I am a Feminist and have spent my life trying to build community, help empower women and stop violence against them. It is hard to write about Sarah Palin. This is why the Sarah Palin choice was all the more insidious and cynical. The people who made this choice count on the goodness and solidarity of Feminists.
But everything Sarah Palin believes in and practices is antithetical to Feminism which for me is part of one story -- connected to saving the earth, ending racism, empowering women, giving young girls options, opening our minds, deepening tolerance, and ending violence and war.
I believe that the McCain/Palin ticket is one of the most dangerous choices of my lifetime, and should this country chose those candidates the fall-out may be so great, the destruction so vast in so many areas that America may never recover. But what is equally disturbing is the impact that duo would have on the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this is not a joke. In my lifetime I have seen the clownish, the inept, the bizarre be elected to the presidency with regularity.
Sarah Palin does not believe in evolution. I take this as a metaphor. In her world and the world of Fundamentalists nothing changes or gets better or evolves. She does not believe in global warming. The melting of the arctic, the storms that are destroying our cities, the pollution and rise of cancers, are all part of God's plan. She is fighting to take the polar bears off the endangered species list. The earth, in Palin's view, is here to be taken and plundered. The wolves and the bears are here to be shot and plundered. The oil is here to be taken and plundered. Iraq is here to be taken and plundered. As she said herself of the Iraqi war, 'It was a task from God.'
Sarah Palin does not believe in abortion. She does not believe women who are raped and incested and ripped open against their will should have a right to determine whether they have their rapist's baby or not.
She obviously does not believe in sex education or birth control. I imagine her daughter was practicing abstinence and we know how many babies that makes.
Sarah Palin does not much believe in thinking. From what I gather she has tried to ban books from the library, has a tendency to dispense with people who think independently. She cannot tolerate an environment of ambiguity and difference. This is a woman who could and might very well be the next president of the United States. She would govern one of the most diverse populations on the earth.
Sarah believes in guns. She has her own custom Austrian hunting rifle. She has been known to kill 40 caribou 20 at a clip. She has shot hundreds of wolves from the air.
Sarah believes in God. That is of course her right, her private right. But when God and Guns come together in the public sector, when war is declared in God's name, when the rights of women are denied in his name, that is the end of separation of church and state and the undoing of everything America has ever tried to be.
I write to my sisters. I write because I believe we hold this election in our hands. This vote is a vote that will determine the future not just of the U.S., but of the planet. It will determine whether we create policies to save the earth or make it forever uninhabitable for humans. It will determine whether we move towards dialogue and diplomacy in the world or whether we esc alate violence through invasion, undermining and attack. It will determine whether we go for oil, strip mining, coal burning or invest our money in alternatives that will free us from dependency and destruction. It will determine if money gets spent on education and healthcare or whether we build more and more methods of killing. It will determine whether America is a free open tolerant society or a closed place of fear, fundamentalism and aggression.
If the Polar Bears don't move you to go and do everything in your power to get Obama elected then consider the chant that filled the hall after Palin spoke at the RNC, 'Drill Drill Drill.' I think of teeth when I think of drills. I think of rape. I think of destruction. I think of domination. I think of military exercises that force mindless repetition, emptying the brain of analysis, doubt, ambiguity or dissent. I think of pain.
Do we want a future of drilling? More holes in the ozone, in the floor of the sea, more holes in our thinking, in the trust between nations and peoples, more holes in the fabric of this precious thing we call life?"

5. I just got an email from Bill Clinton urging me to support Hillary's efforts to support Barack by purchasing a dvd of her Convention speech and video for $250. That tells me that they really need money, not only to pay off her campaign debt, but to help Barack. Please join me in urging the Clintons to support Barack through free media coverage and press conferences rather than through a dvd effort. We need high-powered, truth speakers on the streets now. Email HRC your thoughts on how she can best support Barack at: www.hillaryclinton.com

I will end here by saying: Barack will win, the Democrats will win and Democracy will be restored in the US as we know it. I have to research the posting rules on this site, but as allowed, please feel free to post any useful information, your thoughts here, and to use this blog as a hub to place your good energy into for Barack and our good fight. Brainstorm with friends and family and on this site. During our last session we came up with: YouTube videos, personal voter registration and registrar commitments, music concerts & independent celebrity support for Barack, and continuing the discussion about a post-election US and a strategic plan for such. A young San Franciscan Rasta selling Barack necklaces and earrings he had made at a reggae show the other night, entitled this post-election phase "the revolution". We cannot wait for the election's results to step up "the revolution". Get up, stand up-act now!

In hope,

Tara

The Best of Sarah Palin

Nancy Blachman — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:34:14 EDT

Below are insightful articles (titles, links, and the complete text) on Sarah Palin, which friends sent to me and that I found via Google News. I hope you can find time to read or skim these articles and pass them on.

Nancy

Roger Ebert on Sarah Palin: The American Idol

candidatehttp://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/1156080,091008ebertpalin.article

Gov. Palin's Worldview

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/opinion/13sat1.html?ref=opinion

Will Palin Get the Same Scrutiny Hillary Got?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2008/09/will_palin_get_the_same_scruti.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

Palin: wrong woman, wrong message Sarah Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Hillary Clinton. She is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger.

By Gloria Steinem

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-steinem4-2008sep04,0,7915118.story

Palin, `Average' Student at 5 Schools, Prayed, Planned for TV

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aYY9hiQdr5E4&refer=home

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you would rather not have Sarah Palin as our next Vice-President, please take a minute make a donation to the Obama campaign of any size, $5 to $2300:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/NancyForObama

Barack Morning Buzz - 9-15-08

Barack Daily Buzz - Victory2008.net — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:48:40 EDT

Barack Morning Buzz - 9-15-08
On to Victory in November

(1) Obama Blames Wall Street Crisis on Republican Policy
Terence Hunt-Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5isOFwdbq0tsqatW6vJpkDRTI1gMgD9374EMO0

(2) Obama Says News of Banking Meltdown is a "Major Threat" to Economy
Mike Allen-Politico
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080915/pl_politico/13440_1

(3) Obama Says Financial Crisis a Major Threat to Economy
Reuters
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080915/pl_nm/usa_politics_obama_lehman_dc_4

(4) Low Profile Headquarters for High Profile Obama
Deanna Bellandi-Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jnngKegMjPUvxP42ZYlBKWTa17vwD9370TAG0

(5) For Obama, Race Remains the Elephant in the Room
Michael Grunwald-TIME
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1841109,00.html

(6) Today on the Presidential Campaign Trail
Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iNxTApa2sQRu0Xx99P3jt2bEXw7gD9372U4G0

(7) Obama Raises the Funding Roof
Dan Morain and Noam N. Levey-Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign15-2008sep15,0,7849460.story

(8) Democrats Resurge as Obama Becomes $66 Million Man
Joh Ibbitson-Globe and Mail-Australia
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080915.wibbitson15/BNStory/usElection2008/home

(9) Comparing Obama and McCain on Public Service
Shikha Dalmia-Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122143710912734333.html?mod=googlenews_wsj(10) Obama and Biden Declare War on McCain Campaign Tactics
Jimmy Orr-Christian Science Monitor-the vote blog
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2008/09/15/obama-biden-declare-war-on-mccain-campaign-tactics/

(11) Obama Must Fight Back But Not with Mud
Dawn Turner Trice-Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-trice-15-sep15,0,3179195.column

(12) Bush's Overseas Politics Begin Resembling Obama's
Dan Eggen-Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/14/AR2008091401973.html?hpid=topnews

(13) Biden Says "Whatever Happened" to McCain's Principles
Jonathan Weisman-Washington Post-The Trail
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/15/biden_whatever_happened_to_mcc.html

(14) Biden to Step Up Criticism of McCain's Record and Tactics
Ryan Corsaro-CBS News-From The Road
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/09/15/politics/fromtheroad/entry4448579.shtml

(15) Clinton Plays It Cool While Stumping for Obama in Ohio
Elizabeth Moore-Newsday
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/monday/nation/ny-usclin155844336sep15,0,3913588.story

Sarah Palin's VP candidacy is an insult

Suds — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:11:14 EDT

In America, Sarah Palin is welcome to hold any belief she wishes, personally.

However, for others, she is not welcome to promote lies about her own record (or McCain's - or Obama's!), or a policy that would take away women's rights to choose what they do with there own bodies (a zygot is not a "baby"), or the idea that Israel is punished by terrorism because they do not believe in Jesus, or the idea that the Iraq War is "God's war." Palin is not welcome to be the President of the United States in waiting.

That she did not even know what the "Bush Doctrine" (anticipatory "defense") is in her very 1st televised interview with Charlie Gibson, or that, after her - very first trip - to another Continent, she believes she has enough foriegn policy gravitas to help lead this country - because she has administered the Alaska National Guard (for 18 months) and that "you can see Russia from Alaska" - is an embarrassment and an insult to everyone's intelligence throughout the world.

McCain/McSame's "judgement" is obviously skewed and controlled by his lobbyist managers (http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gG5Z5k). In his most important initial demonstration of leadership in his campaign for the Presidency, McSame chooses - Sarah Palin???

Regardless of his past battle wounds and bravery, John McCain has currently demonstrated that America cannot - cannot - trust him to stand alone and rule this country with the courage and conviction he wants the nation to believe he still has. His present actions grossly betray his own patriotic history. John McCain should be ashamed that he has lowered himself to allowing his lobbyist staff to convince him to use lies, and to nominate a terribly inadequate running mate, just to win an election.

We cannot afford to have our country kidnapped any longer by the modern-day Republican fear mongering war baiters. (Lincoln was a Republican, but he is rolling in his grave at the actions of the new version of his old party.) Electing a McCain/Palin ticket is simply the worst thing America could do to itself.

It is time for real Change for the better, and the Obama/Biden ticket is the best chance for this to happen.

Karl Rove comes to Alaska

Kaye — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:39:56 EDT

I'm reposting a blog from an Alaskan. His blog is mudflats.wordpress.com

Karl Rove Comes to Alaska… 12 09 2008

Les Gara and his entourage on Primary Night at Election Central in Anchorage.

Please give a big Mudflats welcome to our guest poster for the evening, Les Gara. Les is a Democratic State Representative from Anchorage. He’s also a former Assistant Attorney General (Exxon Valdez Litigation Section), and has been in office since 2003.

I took that photo of Les at the Primary Night festivities at the Egan Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. That’s him being interviewed for a local news cast. He had the best signs, I thought. You can only do so much with red, white, and blue.

Here’s Rep. Gara’s take on McCain’s spin and interference with the bi-partisan “Troopergate” Investigation.

Politicians are good at spin. The McCain camp has brought a whole new level of it to our small state - in what looks like an effort to show they can play the same Karl Rove-like political games that have haunted this country for the last 8 years. I like Governor Palin on a personal level. But I don’t like what the McCain campaign is doing to our state. I don’t like deception. And I don’t like politics as usual.

Alaskans are starting to see evidence of a Karl Rove-like effort to stonewall what started as a non-controversial, bi-partisan ”Troopergate” investigation. A little deception here. A few personal attacks there. And the kind of spin you see at an amusement park tilt-a-whirl station.

This investigation was started by a Republican-dominated Alaska Legislature to look into Governor Palin’s conduct in seeking the termination of a State Trooper, once married to the Governor’s sister, Trooper Michael Wooten. The McCain camp wants to stop it by saying it’s a “democratic” investigation. Apart from facts, and the reputations the McCain folks don’t mind destroying, there’s not a lot standing in the way of this strategy.

Until August 29 “Troopergate” was a small state investigation Governor Palin, and every Republican and Democrat in a Republican-led Legislature had agreed was appropriate. But things changed the day Governor Palin joined the McCain ticket. His handlers went ballistic that the Governor agreed to an investigation they now needed to stop.

I know Senator McCain is now running on a political platform of ”change.” Leave aside how he’ll fight to change what he’s voted to do to this country for the last 8 years. If you ask me, the only thing he’s changed so far is Governor Palin’s position - her decision to cooperate with this once-small investigation.

This is one of those cases where there’s a clear truth. It’s a clear truth - about a bi-partisan investigation - that I hope McCain’s operatives will ultimately fail at spinning into a “partisan” plot against his running mate.

To get their way, and prevent sworn testimony from leaking out on what I suspect was probably a minor breach by Governor Palin, McCain’s operatives have come to Alaska to add invective in a state where people generally get along. They’ve chosen to vilify: 1) one of the state’s most respected public officials, Senator Hollis French; 2) the state’s most respected law enforcement official, Walt Monegan; and 3) a highly respected former DA and Victims Rights advocate a legislative committee voted 12 - 0 to hire to conduct the investigation, Steve Branchflower.

It’s the ghost of Karl Rove. Say something untrue enough times - like that Al Qaida is training with Saddam Hussein’s help - and people will believe it. Not this time. I’m not sure if I mentioned a few important facts.

Did I mention that no one ever attacked the Troopergate investigation by Alaska’s Legislature - started long before Governor Palin was placed on McCain’s ticket - until August 29? That was the day Governor Palin joined the McCain bid for the White House.

Did I mention that before the McCain camp got involved, the Governor stated of the Legislative investigation: “That being the route they choose, so be it. I’m happy to comply, to cooperate.” (KTUU.com, July 24, 2008). She repeatedly stated she’d comply, and that it was the right thing to do.

Did I mention the personal attacks against our local public officials only started after Sen. McCain sent his flacks up to our small state on August 29? They came with a mission to make America believe a Republican-initiated investigation, started with a unanimous committee vote of 8 Republicans and 4 Democrats, was a “partisan” plot. That’s only a tough sell if people know the facts.

Did I mention they now claim the Legislature cannot legally proceed with an investigation into government misconduct (I thought Republicans didn’t like attorneys who made frivolous arguments), and that they are threatening to to go to court to stop it? The Governor’s attorneys started writing those letters on - you guessed it - August 29. Before then they agreed the investigation was proper.

Oh, and what about this. Last week the McCain camp put our Governor in a bizarre position. They told her to file an ethics complaint against herself! Yup, again after her VP nomination. Too weird? What’s behind this move? You guessed it. Lawyers.

To create the legal argument that the Legislature cannot investigate government misconduct, the McCain team has had her file a complaint against herself before something called the State Personnel Board. That’s a 3 member group of Republican Gubernatorial appointees - that, if it started this week, wouldn’t get an investigation done, and reported to the public, until after the November election. Convenient.

Hmmm. The Legislature has announced they’d have their investigation done - if witnesses would cooperate like they were until August 29 - by October 10. I can’t imagine why the McCain camp would prefer an investigation that doesn’t get finished until after November. Any ideas?

So what about the claim that this investigation is some sort of partisan plot against a Republican ticket? A legislative committee of 8 Republicans and 4 democrats asked former Assistant District Attorney Hollis French, a Democrat - to hire a legislative investigator in July. He did. He’s not doing the investigation. So the complaint that he’s a Democrat who supports Barack Obama is, well, weak. He’s a Democrat who supports Barack Obama, who was appointed before Governor Palin was a VP candidate. More importantly, he’s a Senator who has the confidence of a majority Republican Senate.

He once said to the press the results of the investigation are likely to be troubling. He shouldn’t have said that. But the Governor’s said it too. The newspapers have said it. We all know it. The public record already contains evidence that the Department of Public Safety was contacted roughly 20 times by Palin senior staff, and her husband Todd, about firing Trooper Wooten. The Governor has conceded that based on this evidence, the public could conclude the Department could have felt pressure from above to fire Trooper Wooten.

The investigator, Steve Branchflower, is a former DA and Office of Victims Rights head (a job he was appointed to by a Republican Legislature). He’s actually conducting the investigation. Attacking Senator French doesn’t really work if he’s not investigating the case, or making any findings. So the McCain folks have attacked Mr. Branchflower. And they’ve tried to stop him from issuing subpoenas to the witnesses now directed not to talk. Today the McCain folks suffered a setback. A bi-partisan committee of Republicans and Democrats authorized Mr. Branchflower to move ahead to subpoena those witnesses.

And for good measure - the McCain folks are attacking Walt Monegan - the Public Safety Commissioner Governor Palin fired. The Troopergate investigation involves claims that Monegan was fired for not agreeing to fire Trooper Wooten, the Governor’s brother in law involved in a very ugly custody dispute with the Governor’s sister.

I don’t begrudge the Governor for not liking her brother-in-law. I don’t really like him either, from what I’ve read. I do begrudge those who’d attack Commissioner Monegan, a quintessential public servant who’s worked for both Republican and Democratic heads on the state and local level.

These three public servants deserve better. What they’ve received so far, is a little dose of ugly Washington politics in a state where we don’t see that stuff too often.

I stood on the sidelines when this investigation started. When Governor Palin fired Commissioner Monegan, my advice was to end the flap and just hire him back. He does good work. He’s well respected. Unfortunately, my advice sometimes isn’t that good, and the Governor didn’t agree.

Then McCain’s staff of outsiders came to town. And they began to launch personal attacks on people I respect. They started proving that the same old politics that have caused dissatisfaction with Washington insiders these past 8 years are going to be the bread and butter of the McCain campaign.

So - here I am today. I support an Obama presidency because he shares a vision I believe in. I’ve publicly supported him since the race started last year. I also think Governor Palin originally did the right thing in agreeing to take some small lumps by proceeding with a legislative investigation Republicans and Democrats, and much of the public asked for.

But unfortunately Alaska is the bull’s eye in a national presidential race today. When told by the McCain folks that she needed to change her position, she did, as a loyal running mate. I understand that.

As an Alaskan I’m not really angry at our Governor for this mess. I do blame John McCain for the ugliness he’s brought to our state this week. His folks have come to my small state to attack my friends, and people I respect, for political gain. In my book, that’s not OK. We all mess up time to time. But this crosses the line.

In small states, like small towns, people who act like the McCain folks apologize. Until that happens, I’ll keep defending 3 public servants who deserve better.

Rebuild America

Kaye — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:23:32 EDT

The following is borrowed from Jon Taplin's Blog on Wordpress. Jonathan Taplin is a Professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California.

The following is a speech Professor Taplin wrote on his blog for Obama. I found it inspiring and wanted to share it with the rest of the community.

How can McCain be a change agent when his party created the mess the country is in? What has he done in the last eight years to stop running up the bills on your national credit card? He has supported George Bush’s tax cuts for millionaires, draining billions from the Treasury that could have been used to pay down your children’s debt. He has championed a War in Iraq that costs us $12 billion a month and for which you will be paying for years as we absorb the costs of caring for the tens of thousands of brave men and women who were maimed in that conflict and will live for years with prosthetic limbs and glass eyes. Think of where we might have spent that $2 trillion that might have improved the schools your children attend or the failing bridges in your towns. But John McCain has promised to continue George Bush’s War and George Bush’s tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. By that definition it would be insane to believe that McCain and Palin are going to change Washington.

I have said this is a national crisis. But I think you already know that. The respected pollster John Zogby recently reported that one quarter of you listening to me now are earning less than you once earned. Is this the American Dream–to go backwards? Is this the American dream to go from earning $19 an hour to earning $12 an hour? Joe Biden and I promise you that we are here to stop this 30 year Republican regime of decline. But not everyone has gone backward in the last eight years. The executives at Exxon Mobil who support John McCain have earned hundreds of millions. The stockholders of Halliburton like Dick Cheney have earned billions. McCain and Palin boast about how they are all for the free markets and against government regulation, but here’s what Professor Nouriel Roubini says about the pretend free market advocates like Bush and McCain.

But these laissez faire voodoo-economics zealots in charge of the USA have now caused the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression and the nastiest economic crisis in decades. So let them be shamed in public for their hypocrisy and zealotry that has caused so much financial and economic damage.

So I am going to ask you to join with Joe Biden and myself in a campaign to rebuild America. The Republicans have had their turn at the wheel and before they run the ship of state into the rocks, we ask you to give us control of the tiller. We know that some of the proposals we have made will be resisted by our own party as well. We cannot promise you that getting our country back on course will be easy. It will take real commitment from each of you and real sacrifice. For the last eight years the President has told you that your responsibility is to “go out and shop”. Well guess what? That fantasy is over if you elect us. For thirty years we have let our infrastructure crumble. Our bridges collapse, our schools are second rate, and even our broadband capacity is 16th in the world. We are going to embark on the most important national project since John Kennedy said we were going to the moon. We promise to make America the leader in Clean Tech, producing millions of new high paying jobs which will get our economy rolling again. And these new companies will attract capital and the best and brightest minds to our shores and at the same reduce our dependence on oil from the Arab and Russian state monopolies.

If you believe, like Joe and I do, that these issues matter, I ask you to join with us and Rebuild America.

The Definition of Maverick

Lisa in Bangalore — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:38:01 EDT

Maverick. I am so sick of the word. We hear it all the time, and we think we know what it means. Finding myself with some rare time to kill, I decided to look it up. I was surprised.

Barack Afternoon Buzz - 9-7-08

Barack Daily Buzz - Victory2008.net — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:12:41 EDT

Barack Afternoon Buzz - 9-7-08
On to Victory in November

(1) Obama Mocks McCain-Palin as "Change"
Domenico Montanaro-MSNBC-First Read
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/06/1358110.aspx

(2) How the 2008 Electoral Map has Changed
LInda Feldman-Christian Science Monitor
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2008/09/07/how-the-2008-electoral-map-has-changed/

(3) Democrats Post Big Gains in Voter Registration
Associated Press
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrYwDI0yMDs

(4) Obama Returns to Detroit Area on Monday
Bob Campbell and Justin Hyde-Detroit Free Press
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/NEWS15/80906029/1215/NEWS15

(5) Obama's Stump Speech Plays to Fears and Hopes
Charles Babington-Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h05Uynfmy4N7Lx-0NZ3j6WUXxHYwD9320SF81

(6) Obama Says Palin is Aligned with Bush and Cheney
Josh Kraushaar-Politico
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13220.html

(7) Obama Sees Nothing Funny about Community Organizer
Mary Bruce-ABC News-Vote 08
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5746322&page=1

(8) Obama Says I've Been Talking Change "Since the Beginning"
Maria Gavrilovic-CBS News-From The Road
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/09/06/politics/fromtheroad/entry4422631.shtml

(9) On to the Main Event for Obama and McCain
Bill Lambrecht-St. Louis Post-Dispatch
http://www.ajc.com/r/content/news/stories/2008/09/07/bdcampaign_0907.html

(10) Obama and McCain Duel as Race Heads into Home Stretch
Agence France Presse
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hGnT3eaGxBfZmomXn79E2tdvisoA

(11) Obama Opens Fire on Palin
Robert Lusetich-The Australian
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24308697-2703,00.html

(12) Obama Offers Palin a Game of Hoops
Agence France Presse
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jrl9ahfdY9qXe3MTAmvwVVuCIVUA

(13) Biden Says He Looks Forward to Debate with Palin
Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i7K20RiBJeMQhhTZUST64ABObHjAD931UTKG1

(14) Hillary Clinton Back on Road for Obama in Florida
Adam C. Smith-St. Petersburg Times
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article800504.ece

(15) McCain is Swimming Against the Tide
Rupert Cornwell-The Independent-UK
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/rupert-cornwell/rupert-cornwell-mccain-is-swimming-against-the-tide-921700.html

(16) Americans Can Only Hope Conventions Did Their Work
Jim Hoagland-Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/5986453.html

McCAIN- THE SPEECH

Kaye — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:54:13 EDT

As we all know, Sen. McCain is not a charismatic person, particularly on camera. Otherwise, Bush would not have won their last Presidential competition. McCain doesn’t come off as the guy next door whom you want to invite to your backyard barbeque the way Bush did for his party. That’s unfortunate: McCain would have been a much better Commander-In-Chief. However, their appeals are vastly different.

How did he do?

I have to admit I don’t have a laptop so I couldn’t watch him on the TV while putting my online comments together. I kept running up and down the stairs, attempting to get his broadcast on my computer. Damn, I hate all the many different apps necessary to listen to and watch broadcast videos on a Mac!

Nevertheless, I have a few cogent comments:

First, Cindy McCain’s comments about Sarah Palin made Sarah sound like a redneck caricature rather than a real human being. As a female, I was quite offended by that characterization. She’s hardly a cartoon. She may not be my ideal for a VP based on her views, beliefs, and knowledge base, but she’s certainly no redneck cartoon.

Second, when John McCain talked about his domestic policy plans I got the distinct impression that he usurped his ideas from Barack Obama. Sure, they were packaged differently, but the essential message was the same. The problem is that McCain’s voting record in the Senate belies what he said tonight.

Third, the portion of his speech having to do with foreign affairs spoke of being strong and standing by our allies. The problem is that his own foreign policy position paper illuminates his ideology of vastly increasing the military (and military spending) and sending them everywhere in the world. His idea of a strong America is having American military forces deployed everywhere…in virtually every country. His position is not to use Foreign Service staff to discuss and negotiate and build relations with the people, but to expand the military to take on the many roles previously dedicated to the Foreign Service. Furthermore, when he spoke about Georgia, he failed to mention that Georgia started the conflict and that one of his main advisers is a lobbyist for the Georgian government.

So my conclusion?

I was not impressed either by his domestic policy agenda which seems stolen from Obama and repackaged for his audience or his foreign policy agenda. His foreign policies appear to be taken directly from Cold War “Reagan” politics regarding Russia (which today is definitely not the old Soviet Union ) and expanded to include Islamists who really are a major and definable threat. For example, McCain has advocated that Russia be excluded from the G8. Fareed Zakaria, internationally renowned foreign affairs specialist, author, and host of Sunday morning’s CNN’s GPS, explains very clearly why eliminating Russia’s G8 membership would be a major mistake.

One of McCain’s main foreign policy advisers, Ralph Peters, stated on C-SPAN Book Notes that the over-riding challenge of the 21st Century is radical Islamism. How many times have we heard McCain parrot those words? While I don’t doubt that radical Islamism potentially may be the greatest challenge we face in the 21st Century (reminder: the 21st century is still very young), my guess is that McCain has taken much of his ideology from that retired Marine Lt. Colonel and his other neo-con advisers, and added his own Cold War ideology. What everyone must remember about McCain is that, above and beyond everything else, McCain is a warrior. His real interest is not in fiscal matters or in making the country economically strong or in adding jobs for the middle class or in building new industries. His real interest is not in economics. His overriding interest is in foreign policy as it relates to the military. He is, above all else, still, foremost, a Naval Officer. Unlike Eisenhower when he presided in the White House, McCain sees a world dominated by the US…and in particular dominated by the US military.

My Dad was career Air Force. He flew bombers over Africa during WWII and was a life long Republican from Missouri. I suspect, were he still living, he would be appalled by McCain’s foreign policy plans and his position paper as posted on Foreign Affairs (http://www.foreignaffairs.org). Dad was a tough, very smart military guy.

Pardon me, but what?

Lastly, shortly after McCain began to speak, he praised Palin. The problem with what he said was that it sounded like he was running for VP and she the President.

Huh?

I guess she’s going to be responsible for all domestic policy issues while McCain sticks to foreign policy/military issues. But what is her real background in domestic policy? Does she know how to negotiate with a Chinese government that has a 5,000 year history of winning on trade policies? Does she know enough about green technology to advocate for its growth, investment credits, and R & D tax credits? Does she know enough to really lend intelligence to America’s new growth and manufacturing industries that could put all manufacturing workers back to work? Does she know enough to discuss long term energy policies with Silicon Valley CEO’s who are demanding a long term, modern, upgraded Marshall-style, Manhattan-project energy plan. Does she know enough about fiscal policies to discuss finances with Wall Street and the Fed?

So why should I vote for him?

All in all, I thought his speech lacked a whole lot in originality. In researching his life and political ideas, though, I’ve reached the conclusion that McCain does not hold many original views on US economics and that his foreign policy views are defined by the Cold War and his military experience. At heart, McCain is a Naval Officer…that is what defines and interests him.

But is that enough to become the next President of the United States?

Barak(ing) the world wide vote!

Lisa in Bangalore — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:21:25 EDT

We've been here in Bangalore just under four weeks. In that short time, from the (Syrian and German, btw) stewardesses on the plane over, to the Indian clerk at the grocery store this morning, I can't tell you how many people have seen me in one of my Obama t-shirts and made it a point to come tell me, some with no English at all, how impressed and hopeful they are with Obama. Even with all the issues this country faces, the daily struggle so many here face for mere survival, Obama, and now Biden as well, has completely captivated them. Hindu, Muslim, Christian - it doesn't just matter....

Best ways I can support Obama?

Steve Epstein — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:15:31 EDT

It seems to me that the best way I can support Obama is by:

1) donating (done)

2) getting friends to donate online and with house parties (working on this)

3) making calls to Independents and Democrats in key battleground states (do you know how?)

4) closer to the election, going door-to-door in Reno, Nevada (the closest big city in a battleground state)

Any ideas will be appreciated!

Even Politico questions McCain's VP pick

Dee Dee, CalVFO Co-Chair; Delegate, Assembly District 4 — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:33:24 EDT

Please read and circulate widely. This is information that we need to be using as we go about canvassing and tabling. If Politico is questioning McCain's pick, we know something's up.

http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Scholars_question_Palin_credentials

He's busy pandering to Hillary supporters, as if they are too ignorant to see what he is trying to pull. They should be made aware of this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/29/palin-hillary-clintons-wh_n_122504.html

"Worst VO Pick in U. S. History": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-j-elisberg/the-worst-vice-presidenti_b_122491.html

Ted Stevens promoted her during her gubernatorial run http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/08/palin_ad_starring_ted_stevens.php

He knew nothing about her before putting her within rech of the presidency: http://www.jedreport.com/2008/08/mccain-didnt-know-palin-before.html

There's plenty more where this came from, but you get the idea. She makes Barack look like Thomas Jefferson in the experience realm!

An Alaskan's view of Palin

Kaye — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:47:13 EDT

I don't normally link to another blog, but this time I can't help myself. Even after researching Sarah Palin all afternoon, there's a whole lot of information that is just not available about her. But this blog from a fellow Alaskan provides so much non-published information about her background and the political environment in Alaska. http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/

Palin's environmental record

Dee Dee, CalVFO Co-Chair; Delegate, Assembly District 4 — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:04:56 EDT

Received this evening from the Sierra Club. Note that her husband works for BP. That's not mentioned in the transcript of her speech.

Shocking Choice by John McCain

WASHINGTON-- Senator John McCain just announced his choice for running mate: Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. To follow is a statement by Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund.

“Senator McCain’s choice for a running mate is beyond belief. By choosing Sarah Palin, McCain has clearly made a decision to continue the Bush legacy of destructive environmental policies.

“Sarah Palin, whose husband works for BP (formerly British Petroleum), has repeatedly put special interests first when it comes to the environment. In her scant two years as governor, she has lobbied aggressively to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, pushed for more drilling off of Alaska’s coasts, and put special interests above science. Ms. Palin has made it clear through her actions that she is unwilling to do even as much as the Bush administration to address the impacts of global warming. Her most recent effort has been to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the polar bear from the endangered species list, putting Big Oil before sound science. As unbelievable as this may sound, this actually puts her to the right of the Bush administration.

“This is Senator McCain’s first significant choice in building his executive team and it’s a bad one. It has to raise serious doubts in the minds of voters about John McCain’s commitment to conservation, to addressing the impacts of global warming and to ensuring our country ends its dependency on oil.”

So, no one knows who she is, he met her once, she's to the right of right...

Is McCain campaigning for Barack, or what?

McCain chooses Palin as VP

Kaye — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:38:52 EDT

When I woke up this morning and learned of McCain choosing Palin, my first thought was, "Who?" It took me few minutes, and a news report, for me to remember who she is. Most Americans will feel the same.

Then, I became insulted. Choosing Palin is a cynical ploy on the part of the Republicans to sway women to voting for McCain. No other reason.

Do the Republicans and McCain really think that women are that stupid? Do they really think that women will vote for him just because he put a female on the slate?

Obviously, he and the Republicans have no respect for women and their intelligence...and no understanding of women's issues.

Regime change - Vote Democratic vs. Republican and why...

Jim Lynch — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:07:47 EDT

Here are the reasons why this is not just about Obama vs. McCain. It is about a regime change. Do you want more the same policies and bad decisions of the last eight years that were a carry over from the first Bush regime? Think about this:

1. The Economy:
     a. The financial/mortgage crisis is the worst that this country has faced since the great depression. It makes the internet bubble of 2000 look like a speed bump.
   b. The deficit - the worst in history - mortgaging our future and being in debt to foreign nations.
   c. Job losses in all sectors and hitting some regions very hard.

d. Middle class families struggling to survive.

2. National Security: 9-11 occuring in 2001 despite warnings from many groups.

3. The Environment:
a. We have taken many steps backwards since 2000.
b. No investments in alternative fuels and recycling

4. Not investing in our future

a. Infrastructure

5. Healthcare

6. Education

7. International presence

a. We have gone from being honored to being despised

8. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan - Billions flowing out of this country

9. Ethics - we were lied to about Iraq - it was part of the old Bush administration to finish a job that they did not complete in Desert Storm.

How can it get any worse?

Digg and circulate!

Dee Dee, CalVFO Co-Chair; Delegate, Assembly District 4 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:41:47 EDT

Whether you remember Sam Cook, Herman's Hermits or the James Taylor version, you'll have to admit that this version of "Wonderful World" will stick with you. See:

http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/New_Obama_Ad_McCain_Don_t_Know_Much

O for Obama - creating our sign - signal for change

Jim Lynch — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:20:14 EDT

Every great movement in history has had a rallying cry or a signal. We need one for Obama 08.

I would propose that we create a hand signal that shows you are an Obama supporter and can acknowledge our friends that feel the same way. This idea came to me as I was driving down 101 and saw a person with an Obama 08 sticker on there car. I wanted to wave to them or give them the thumbs up, but they did not know me nor did they know I was an Obama supporter (until I passed them and they could see my Obama bumper sticker) and I did now want them to think I was some wierdo waving at them.

So I thought about a special wave or signal that we could use to connect with the other Obama supporters out there and I came up with this...

O for Obama. To make an O with your hand simply make a circle with your fingers (as if you were gripping a baseball bat handle) and then touch your thumb between your first and second fingers to make the connection. You now have an O that you can use to signal and wave to your friends.

So what does this mean... well obviously it means O for Obama, it also shows a circle which you could think of as the earth and the fact that most of us care about the environment, and finally when your thumb connects with your fingers to create the circle, it shows one (Obama) bringing together many to make the movement come to life.

So what do you think? O for Obama?

Let me know.

Jim.

Work in a Battleground State this weekend - Trip to Reno 7/25 - 7/27

Kenya Wheeler — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:01:15 EDT

For this weekend

Voter Registration Weekend in Nevada (Organizing) -From Sacramento for Obama

You may be aware that Nevada is one of the swing states and very critical to November's results. We have to get out the vote for Barack Obama in Nevada but in order for people to vote they have to be registered to vote so our sister state is asking for our help with voter registration by traveling to Reno for a weekend.

We will leave on Friday at 2 pm from San Francisco and travel to Sacramento, where will catch a bus to Reno. The bus will leave Friday evening at 5:30PM on July 25 and return on Sunday evening, July 27th. The bus is $35 round trip. To signup - San Francisco Bay Area contact Kenya Wheeler at cd8.cvnvtravel@gmail.com and provide the following information as soon as possible:

Your name and confirmation that you are going
Are you taking the Obama bus or driving yourself?
If you are taking the Obama bus, have you paid yet?
Do you need housing in Reno or can you get a hotel?
If you need housing, do you have any allergies?
If you need housing, do you need a single bed or can you share? If sharing, with whom?
What is your cell phone number? Is this the best number to reach you while you are in Reno?

Everyone should charter buses to the DNC convention.

Progressive-Alliance.org — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:42:05 EDT

Hi everyone,

Everyone should charter buses to the DNC convention.

The visibility would be GREAT.

All the buses could have BIG Barack Obama signs on the sides and backs, and everyone could wear Barack Obama shirts. And everywhere the buses or people went, everyone would see them.

Just think about the visibility it would give Barack Obama.

The impact it would have, would be great.

Thanks so much for your time.

Sincerely,

Paul Warnow

Progressive-Alliance.org

paul@progressive-alliance.org

Lets get Barack Obama Elected!!!

Progressive-Alliance.org — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:37:12 EDT

Lets Get Barack Obama Elected!!!

First, my hat goes off to the many volunteers that are actively involved in helping get Barack Obama elected. Whether they are doing fundraising, phone banking, or visibility & voter registration; its all very important.

I think one of the most critical things any of us can do right now is to reach the Reluctant Voters, individuals who might be willing to vote for Barack Obama; but for what ever reason they are hesitant or reluctant to vote for him.

Outside of commercials, visibility is one of the most effective things we can do, and it is certainly the most inexpensive. Doing Visibility allows our message to reach thousands of people every hour, who we would never normally reach.

Over 300,000 people have probably seen the Vote for Change visibility displays since May.

http://progressive-alliance.org/a_visibility_events/visibility_event-stats.htm

Please see the following link for photos of the Vote for Change visibility display:

http://www.progressive-alliance.org/vote_for_change_display.htm

If we are to win in November, we will need to focus our time and energy in the most effective manner,

1) With the most influential message.

2) Targeting those that need to be reached.

3) Reaching the most people.

And, we should all be volunteering for at least ONE HOUR A WEEK.

Lets get Barack Obama Elected!!!

Call for Action: Six Month Boycott of the New Yorker Magazine

Progressive-Alliance.org — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:00:54 EDT

Call for Action: Six Month Boycott of the New Yorker Magazine

The cover of the New Yorker Magazine is racially insensitive, racially inflammatory, and racist.

Certainly some people will call it satire; but, I believe it has, and will, just reinforce the false racist statements made by republicans, which are intended to undermine and demean Barack Obama.

For this reason, I call for everyone to Boycott the New Yorker Magazine for six months, or until they put someone from the NAACP on their editorial staff for six months, and accept and publish articles on racial insensitivity in every edition for six months.

Until then, Boycott the New Yorker Magazine.

Barack Evening Buzz - 7-18-08

Barack Daily Buzz - Victory2008.net — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:44:25 EDT

Barack Evening Buzz - 7-18-08
On to Victory in November

(1) McCain Hedges on Whether Obama is a Socialist
Jake Tapper-ABC News-Political Punch
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/mccain-hedges-o.html

(2) Obama to Meet with Leaders in Mideast and Europe
David Espo-Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h5UaW_r304zApSlfGqOGVhpfN9oQD920HBMO

(3) Mr. Obama Visits the World
Richard Reeves-Yahoo! News
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucrr/20080718/cm_ucrr/mrobamavisitstheworld

(4) McCain Says "We Have Succeeded in Iraq"
Associated Press
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU3mgcdMf4E

(5) Obama's Foreign Policy Brain Trust
Caren Bohan and Xavier Briand-Reuters
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKN1843176120080719

(6) America and the World-Obama for Beginners
The Independent-UK
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/america-and-the-world-barack-obama-for-beginners-871815.html

(7) Bon Yoyage Barack!
Andrew Romano-Newsweek
http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/07/18/ad-hawk-bon-voyage-barack.aspx

(8) Obama's Great Overseas Adventure
Ann McFeathers-Seattle Post-Intelligencer
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/371308_mcfeattersonline.html

(9) Obama Fundraiser Excludes a Former Georgia Senator Turned Lobbyist Max Cleland
Michael Falcone-New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/us/politics/19cleland.html

(10) Obama "More Exciting than McCain"
The Press Association-UK
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gKU42BomraNufxzPFLOp2SHLN_og

(11) A Vote for Coverage of Substance
Deborah Howell-Washington Post-Ombudsman
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/18/AR2008071802368.html

(12) Obama and McCain Place Premium on Public Service
Albert R. Hunt-Seattle Post-Intelligencer
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/371336_huntonline20.html

(13) McCain Predicts "Spectacular" Attacks in Iraq
Agence France Presse-AFP
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gfqzWwjC9DvDVuScb-CesUElc99g

(14) McCain TV Ad Accuses Obama of Shifting Iraq Views
Jim Kuhnhenn-Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j5lQ8Xt2nV-ZIMVgsE4TK63RSyCwD920GPA00

(15) McCain Strafes Obama on War
Howard Kurtz-Washington Post
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/07/18/mccain_strafes_obama_on_war.html

Obama NOT a "Flip-Flopper"

Suds — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:54:49 EDT

In my estimation, having followed Obama's story for several years now, he's pretty much the same as always; fairly centrist when applicable, liberal when warranted, and conservative enough to work with others. Oh yes, and brilliant. He really hasn't changed his step all that much at all (except that his recent FISA "yes" vote was unfortunate, but politically necessary to win).

However, if you're a writer with a vested interest in seeing that the Republican Party progresses, you'll unfairly characterize most anything to sway the public. Sadly, many "journalists" have abandoned the E.R. Morrow ideals. What's that saying, "The great thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from" ? It seems that many political "common-taters" hold to those kind of standards, on both sides of the isle (well, perhaps more of the "FOX News" types).

Now, if Obama really does start compromising his message of change and hope, I'll be the first to nail him. I just haven't seen it, and that's one reason I support him. So far so good. My guess is that he really is true to his sensible, foundational ideas, and the country/world is starved for that kind of leader anywhere. If I am right, I will be the most satisfied person in the nation come November. Then Obama will have the daunting task of healing a very broken system. While I want him there to do the job, I don't envy him at all.

Regardless, the American Constitution has been so battered and stretched and our national issues are so difficult now, we must have a strong "Lincoln"-like person in office. For me, that is Obama, precisely because he stands true to his beliefs, is intelligent enough to win back the global respect America has lost over the last 8 years, and has the wisdom it will take to avoid more catastrophic calamities like BushCheney have gotten us into.

But now let me tell you what I really think... ; )

Barack Morning Buzz - 7-5-08

Barack Daily Buzz - Victory2008.net — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:48:52 EDT

Barack Morning Buzz - 7-5-08
On to Victory in November

(1) Obama May Accept Nomination at NFL Stadium
Paul Steinhauser-CNN Deputy Political Director
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/04/obama-may-accept-nomination-at-nfl-stadium/

(2) Obama May Accept Nomination at Invesco Field Which Seats 76,000
Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jOxtbOmAm1JUVMmWkTIWl8mEIghQD91MO24G0

(3) Obama Considering Larger Denver Stage
ABC News-Political Radar
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/obama-consideri.html

(4) In Montana, Obama Tries to Rally Support to End Iraq War
Jeff Zeleny-New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/05/us/politics/05obama.html?ref=us

(5) In Montana on the Fourth, a Barometer of Obama's Chances
Jonathan Weisman-Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/04/AR200807040

(6) Obama Spends Independence Day Flipping Burgers and Wooing Votes in Republican Montana
Associated Press
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/05/america/NA-POL-US-Elections.php

(7) Obama Now Wears His Patriotism on His Lapel
Peter Nicholas-Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama5-2008jul05,0,5651188.story

(8) Obama Mixes Holiday Barbecue and Politics in Montana
John Whitesides-Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN04401940

(9) Obama's Patriotism-Strength Out of Weakness
David Ignatius-Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/04/AR2008070402087.html

(10) Obama's Odds-Analysts Privately Expect Another Close Race
Charlie Cook-National Journal
http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cr_20080705_5728.php

(11) Political Insiders Poll
James A. Barnes and Peter Bell-National Journal
http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/ip_20080705_4688.php

(12) Obama Sets Off a Debate on Ties Between Religion and Government
Peter Steinfels-New York Times-Beliefs
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/05/us/05beliefs.html?em&ex=1215403200&en=a09309a4e26fb70c&ei=5087%0A

(13) Candidates' Housing Plans at a Glance
Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gFwzdW1h39lz-B1WN4GN4T9jFFgAD91NMQI00

(14) Obama's Centrist Emphasis Gives GOP Ammo
Jennifer Loven-Associated Press
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080705/ap_on_el_pr/obama_to_the_center_5

(15) Bush and McCain Unlikely to Appear Together at GOP Convention
Sheryl Gay Stolberg-New York Times-White House Memo
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/05/us/politics/05memo.html?_r=2&ref=politics&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

(16) Some Clinton Supporters Still Not Embracing Obama
Alexander Mooney-CNNPolitics
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/04/clinton.poll/?iref=mpstoryview

Getting into the fray, not used to fighting

Barbarella — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:25:06 EDT

I was taught to be polite. Giving others the benefit of the doubt and listening to others points of view is one of my policies. I listen patiently, with compassion to some of the most offensive points of view, and I try to see things through the speakers eyes. I believe that we are all deeply connected, and that if I had experienced what the other person had, I might feel that way too. So I listen, ask questions, get closer, try to understand, and gently introduce new ideas. It is a very yin way of being.

Now, it is time to change. If change is what I want, and it is, change I must. Yang is what I seek. I need to learn to argue. For I am confronted with a barrage of unsavory smears about Obama. You don't have to scratch the surface to sniff the fear and hate. The scum of lies are open and ferocious. I don't see the possibility of changing the more virulent of our opponents. However, I need to know how to engage these folks. I also need to learn how to persuade those who might be more open to change. I want to do some door to door campaigning for Obama, and I will need to learn how to fight.
I need information on how to counter each accusation, find a group of people who need to do the same thing and practice with them point by point.

Barack Morning Buzz - 6-24-08

Barack Daily Buzz - Victory2008.net — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:50:00 EDT

Barack Morning Buzz - 6-24-08
On to Victory in November

(1) Obama's "Shock and Awe"
Mark Preston-CNNPolitics-Election Center 2008
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/24/preston.obama.ads/index.html?section=cnn_latest

(2) McCain Advisor Says Another Terrorist Attack Would Be a Big Help to Campaign
Glen Johnson-Associated Press
http://news.aol.com/elections/story/_a/mccain-aide-regrets-terror-comment/20080623175909990001

(3) Clinton to Join Obama as He Courts Female Vote
Shailagh Murray and Anne E. Kornblut-Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/23/AR2008062302038.html

(4) Obama to Shake Tinseltown Tree
Jake Tapper-ABC News-Political Punch
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/06/obama-to-shake.html

(5) Obama Corners the Market in Hollywood
Michael R. Blood-Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j3MP7O---5Qv3NLR8ebCRHNiSqsQD91FU1B00

(6) Obama Tells Women He Supports Equal Pay
Sara Kugler-Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5isOFwdbq0tsqatW6vJpkDRTI1gMgD91G4DR00

(7) Are You Experienced?-Why a U.S. Senator Might Not Trump a State Legislator
Alan Ehrenhalt-Newsweek
http://www.newsweek.com/id/142892

(8) McCain Gambling on Offshore Drilling
Cathleen Decker and Michael Finnegan-Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-offshore24-2008jun24,0,1535032.story

(9) Evangelical Leader James Dobson Accuses Obama of "Distorting" Bible
Eric Gorski-Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gnLulDbwWGYGLiXlDW5hPiNMGMRQD91GDOM00

(10) Republicans Recycle Clinton's Obama Barbs
Stephen Collinson-Agence France Presse-AFP
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080624/pl_afp/usvoteobamaclintonrepublicans_080624075230

Great Obama Campaign = Litmus test for Presidency

Suds — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 10:16:40 EDT

One of the reasons Obama has had such good support from the among ex Bill Clinton administration members (and many others) is precisely because he has run his campaign so brilliantly. "No drama Obama" has been the motto inside the campaign, and it's been true. How a candidate leads a campaign is a litmus test for how they will run their Presidency. One major reason I believe in Obama's campaign is because of how he has operated within his own system. Many of the other candidates slipped up internally quite a few times; many firings and overall bad drama. Not so with Obama. I believe Obama will stay true to his respectful campaign methods, and apply his principles of good leadership to his administration; which will be a huge breath of healthy air compared to the current stench in Washington DC.
Suds
=================

On Sun, Jun 15, 2008 at 4:17 AM, Michael... wrote:

Hopefully Obama's team and he will not fall into the trap of micromanaging the campaign, (which Gore and Kerry did) and giving more ammo to the Karl Roves on the Repub side.

Find Low Voter Registration, I'll Donate $10 to Obama!

Sandy — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:38:50 EDT

Do you know of a city or zip code where the registration level of eligible voters is less than 60%? An area say, like Ossining, New York? If you do, I'll donate $10 to the Obama campaign either directly or through your fundraising page, if you have one. Here's what you need to do...

Just post, as a reply to this blog, verifable stats, or links to stats, showing this to be the case for a city, town, or zip code. As an example, here is a section from the above (Ossining) link:

FACT: According to the Westchester County Board of Elections, Ossining (10562) has 13,940 registered voters. According to the U.S Census Bureau (2000 report) 24,483 people in zip code 10562 are 18 years of age or older. This suggests only 57% of all eligible voters in 10562 are registered.

If you post such data as a reply, showing a registration level of eligible voters < 60%, and it does not overlap with a previous reply, I'll donate $10 to the campaign! I'll do it through your fundraising page if you have one. The goal is to identify such areas for grass roots registration drives like the one in Ossining.

Hopefully, they'll be lots of areas identified and lots of money donated to Obama too! Good luck and thanks!

Web 2.0 and Voter Registration: A Key to Victory?

Sandy — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:01:15 EDT

People are well aware that one of the keys to Obama's nomination was the combination of grass roots activism combined with the high tech tools built around the Obama web site. These tools gave people the ability to connect, create events, and make calls to potential voters in upcoming primary states, all with the click of a button.

Now that we are into the General Election, one of the keys to victory is the ability to register new voters. One amazing study done in this regard is located here. With a massive enough outreach to new voters, even Texas becomes a swing state! Toward this end, the Obama campaign began a 50 state voter registration drive in April.

The basic concept of finding unregistered voters is simple: you get a large list of people in the area you want to target and a list of people who are already registered to vote in that area, and you compare the two. Doing this can be difficult in practice, but assuming the unregistered names have been identified, then some of the same tools that were used to contact potential primary voters can come into play. Click on a congressional district in Georgia and get a list of say, 20 names for calling, letter writing, or local outreach. Those of you who made calls to potential voters from the lists on the Obama web site are familiar with the concept. Imagine if millions of Obama supporters had the ability to do this for voter registration as well?

To my knowledge, no one has ever fused a voter registration drive with Web 2.0 in such a way before. Possibly the Obama campaign is working on something similar, if it is possible and the logistics aren't too daunting. If not, hopefully someone will read this and move the concept along, or even begin to build such tools.

Barack Morning Buzz - 6-9-08

Barack Daily Buzz - Victory2008.net — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:41:19 EDT

Barack Morning Buzz - 6-9-08
On to Victory in November

(1) Presidential Race Boils Down to 15 States
Charles Babington-Associated Press
http://news.aol.com/elections/story/_a/presidential-race-boils-down-to-15/20080608165909990001?icid=100214839x1203717872x1200149537

(2) Latinos Will Vote for Obama
Ruben Navarrette Jr.-CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/08/navarrette/index.html?section=cnn_latest

(3) Obama Takes Campaign to Heartlands
The Press Association-UK
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5j9ASAjnSC1TXoc2Q_MkZmdUnmUjQ

(4) Obama and McCain Start Countdown to November
Jitendra Joshi-Agence France Presse-AFP
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080609/pl_afp/usvote_080609113425

(5) Experts Say Candidates' Pitches Lack Punch
Carla Marinucci-San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/09/MN5I114OH2.DTL&type=politics

(6) Candidates Set Up Camps for Michigan Battle
Kathleen Gray-Detroit Free Press
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080609/NEWS06/806090326/1008

(7) How Will Good News in Iraq Impact Election?
Marcus Baram-ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5017532&page=1

(8) Obama Needs to Win over Clinton's Female Supporters
Martha T. Moore-USA Today-2008 Election Coverage
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-06-08-Obama-Clinton-supporters_N.htm

(9) Obama and McCain-The Odd Candidates
Carrie Budoff Brown and Jonathan Martin-Politico
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080609/pl_politico/10926_7

(10) African Perspectives on Obama
Reuters-Factbox
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL09382638

Intelligent hope wins

Suds — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:11:30 EDT

McBush, O'Reilly, Hannity, Coulter, Limbaugh and company will all play the "Fear" card for the next several months, and they will play it for all they're worth, because it's all they have. We must remember and speak clearly and strongly that intelligent Hope wins over ignorant Fear. Obama's stance on Iraq is not naive or weak, as McBush keeps claiming in vain. Obama is fully aware of the issues surrounding the war, and he will resolve those issues without putting America's national security in jeopardy. Don't let the ignorant hawks (proven invalid now by their failed policies) fool the people any longer. Intelligent Hope is what will save America and the World, and Obama is the poster boy.

Obama a Genius

Suds — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:58:08 EDT

"Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see."
-- Arthur Schopenhauer

By this standard, considering his position on the Iraq war from the start, Barack Obama is a genius. This is exactly the kind of deep insight America and the World need so badly, especially after what has happened over the past 8 years. McBush plans to "stay the course." We can't have that. Obama must lead the US and the World into better standing, and only he has the wisdom and vision to deal correctly with what is to come, whatever it may be, because he can see through an issue and get to the core of what is really needed.

Clinton Campaign plans to help Obama

Al from San Mateo, CA — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:51:09 EDT

NEW YORK (CNN) - Over the next several days, one of the main questions will be how much help Hillary Clinton will offer Barack Obama in his effort to win back the White House, which has been under Republican control ever since her husband Bill Clinton left office in January 2001.

Two top Clinton supporters told me Tuesday evening they are ready to get behind Obama once the New York senator officially acknowledges that her Senate colleague has won the nomination.

James Carville said he is ready to open up his wallet to help Obama build a political warchest to take on John McCain in November.

"As soon as she gets out I am going to write him a check," Carville said.

Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe said earlier in the day - prior to CNN projecting that Obama clinched the nomination - that he too would help out the Illinois senator.

"If he is the nominee, listen, I will help," McAuliffe said. "I have helped Democrats now for 30 years, and I will continue to do so."

Billionaire to try to convince obama to Veep Hillary

Al from San Mateo, CA — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:48:39 EDT

Billionaire businessman Bob Johnson, a close adviser and friend to Sen. Hillary Clinton , launched a campaign Wednesday to persuade Sen. Barack Obama to offer the vice presidential slot on the Democratic ticket to Clinton.

Johnson told CNN's "American Morning" that Clinton knows about his push but "she didn't direct me to do it."

BREAKING VEEPSTAKES NEWS (update)

Al from San Mateo, CA — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:33:47 EDT

CNN) -- CNN's Candy Crowley has confirmed that Eric Holder and Caroline Kennedy will join Barack Obama's vice presidential selection team, which is headed by Jim Johnson

Obama For America
America For Obama

BREAKING VEEPSTAKES NEWS

Al from San Mateo, CA — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:14:06 EDT

AP: Barack Obama taps three people to lead veep search, including Caroline Kennedy

More details to follow

Obama For America
America For Obama

Have you made a phone call?

Al from San Mateo, CA — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:40:35 EDT

Have you made a phone call on behalf of the Obama campaign, if not why not? its very simple!!! On the right side of your screen under make a difference on Barackobama.com there is a button that says make a call (or something to that extent) then it gives you a list of 25 people and when you click on the name it gives you their phone number and a script of what to say.

If you have made a call I would like to recognize you. Just post a comment telling me around how many calls youve made and maybe some story about one of them. You should be recognized

Obama For America
America For Obama

Who Am I?

Al from San Mateo, CA — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:27:30 EDT

My name is Al Smith and I am from San Mateo, California and I have been a supporter of Barack Obama since the beggining of this campaign, At times it was hard because i wanted to support my 2004 favorite John Edwards, but Obama`s message stayed with me and I am 100% for Senator Obama, now nomminee Obama, please help out his capaign by making phone calls, and Go Obama!!!!!!

Bumper Sticker: No McBush!

Suds — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:44:07 EDT

How do we get this made? - Bumper Sticker: No McBush!

Look Out McCain

Tunnelista — Sat, 31 May 2008 02:10:18 EDT

Hi Everyone: For all intense and purposes, the General Election campaign has already begun. Last week I had the pleasure of rallying with 50 fellow labor activists near an Atherton, California fund raiser for John McCain. It was so empowering to greet his motorcade and let him know that he is being held accountable by the American people. We will not buy the false portrayal of "maverick" from one who is so closely aligned with the failed policies and bankrupt lack of vision of the present adminstration.

Check out press coverage of our welcoming party complete with a photo of me holding a less than flattering portrait of the object of our disdain.

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?type=lnews&id=9234

I just realized that "disdain" rhymes with McCain!! I suspect that many pithy slogans will soon follow.

Look out, McCain -- you ain't seen nothing yet!!

GObama 08!

Emotional Outbursts: The Secret to Hillary Clinton's Campaign

L. Glory — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:23:06 EDT

I know know Hillary sound-blip is getting a lot of air time.... but did anyone catch Barack's speech to the Cuban American National Foundation? It was really good: another standout speech, really revolutionary. A speech on the merits of freedom and liberty is always nice.

Here's the link, like I said it's really good. :-)

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGCMCY

GO BARACK!!

Also, check out the www.ObamaExperiment.com: My friend made these really nice SIGNED, STICKER PRINTS: He just gave me one and it really is beautiful.

Not in My Country

Mark Brickman — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:14:01 EDT

As exciting as this presidential race has been – and it’s been the most exciting presidential contest of my lifetime – there is something quite sinister about the way it’s been waged by a couple of candidates, and their name isn’t Barack Obama. Whatever happened to sticking to facts and actually touting your own attributes instead of spending more time pointing out the supposed negatives of your opponent?

In the old days, Hillary Clinton and her surrogates were telling us that she could bring in the vast majority of Hispanic voters, and that’s all we heard. We heard that all the way up until the Texas primacaucus, and then that came to an abrupt halt. That actually had a little merit, but in actuality, Barack held his own with Hispanics, and all of a sudden, he just wasn’t black enough. In South Carolina, Bill Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro both played the race card, and as African Americans flocked to Barack Obama in droves, there went that argument.

We’re now living through a new metric, that Clinton can bring in poor white and white working class voters. Even if that may be true, the manner in which the Clintons and their spokespeople have carried on about their appeal to uneducated or under-educated white workers and how they would never consider Barack Obama is just disgusting. It smacks of racism, and additionally disingenuously presumes that Obama couldn’t even win over those Democrats if and when Hillary Clinton is no longer on the ballot.

Then we have John McCain, whose wife swears up and down that he’ll run a campaign free of negative accusations, but apparently the candidate himself isn’t willing to live up to that promise. It seems that every day, he brings up Reverend Wright and other past associations of Barack, no matter how obscure the reference, and today jumped on the outrageously unfair slam by George Bush during his address to the Israeli Knesset.

There is no stronger supporter and advocate for the State of Israel in this country than Obama, and yet if you listened to Bush and his heir apparent, John McCain, Barack Obama is prepared to sit down and negotiate with avowed terrorists that are not even recognized representatives of countries and will essentially sell this country down the river and of course that he doesn’t know what he’s doing.

What has happened to my country? Is nothing sacred anymore? As tumultuous as past presidential contests have been, I don’t think we’ve ever been witness to such obvious divisiveness and outright hatred and prejudice. The Clintons have been redefining this race almost weekly, and have changed their strategy as rapidly as the wind blows. They have made unfair and untrue attacks a staple of their campaign, and although Barack has weathered the storm as well as can be expected, they should have never stooped so low and have now lost the respect of the vast majority of this country.

As far as McCain, I don’t honestly expect much from him, but he seems to have taken his lead from the Clintons and feels that going negative is the way to go. His stating a slur as merely an example and then saying that he wouldn’t bring it up after saying it doesn’t pass muster. He’s desperate. The Republican Party is desperate, and they, along with the Clintons, have felt that they have no choice but to destroy Barack Obama. Sadly, the only thing they do is belittle themselves and cause decent and informed people to witness their behavior and reject it out of hand.

As much as I’m immensely proud of Barack and delighted to see that he’s risen above the attacks and has run a fair campaign while keeping his integrity, I am ashamed of the other candidates as they try their best to bloody their opponent. It is patently obvious that if they had something else to tout, they’d do so. All they apparently have left is to destroy anyone that gets in their way. They will pay a dear price for their failure to run a more positive campaign, and the obvious beneficiary is us, the American people. We will finally get the type of candidate that we’ve longed for and deserve.

McCain Announces Aggressive Agenda

Mark Brickman — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:59:14 EDT

Earlier today in Los Angeles, John McCain set forth a very aggressive agenda, which he promised would be accomplished by the time he completed his first term as president. Some critics think he may have reached a little far, but not me. I think that everything he stated is totally within his grasp. See if you agree.

First of all, he made a solemn promise to cure cancer. Yes, he claims that he knows just the right doctors and researchers who know how to do it, and he can cajole them to finally release their results, and can feel comfortable doing so under a McCain administration because they know they’ll be financially rewarded.

Secondly, by 2013, at the end of his first term, he guarantees that not only will the hostility in Iraq cease, but that every al-Qaeda member will have been either killed, neutralized or completely converted to Christianity. He also said that he predicts that the long-awaited parades and flower welcome in the streets will take place even half-way through his first term.

He next promised to end any dissension in Congress. He acknowledges that there is quite a bit of animosity on both sides of the aisle right now, but that under a McCain administration, his presence in the White House will calm all nerves and that his promise to rule with an iron fist will enable all members of Congress to finally meet in the middle and mostly agree on everything for the first time in history.

McCain promised to veto every bill that he doesn’t agree with. He doesn’t expect to get any bills that don’t entirely agree with his pronounced positions, but he says that he will veto any bill which doesn’t agree with his ethical and moral compass, and to guarantee that, he announced that he will take the liberty of verifying any of his positions with Mike Huckabee, Reverend John Hagee or will potentially hold town hall meetings at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University and will abide by whatever these supporters divine.

Finally, John McCain announced that he will shorten the time that any candidate for president can campaign to just one month before any election. He will prohibit any advertising that is paid for by fundraising or any kind of money raised by individuals, and that a panel of corporate leaders will form to oversee the ethics, rules and standards to be established beginning in 2013, the next possible presidential election cycle.

Of course this is somewhat made up, but McCain did make a speech today in LA and established an extremely aggressive agenda that he is very unlikely to fulfill. As a matter of fact, it seems that every candidate simply steals pages from the Barack playbook and hopes for our future, and McCain is no different in this regard. I don’t believe that an objective study of what McCain promises to do in his presidency holds any water, and if he happens to become our president, I have no doubt that he will fall into the nasty habit of doing exactly what we see now, say one thing that sounds good and do exactly what he and his corporate friends want to do.

A Diamond in a Pool of Rubies

Mark Brickman — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:06:10 EDT

Let’s face it…this campaign is blessed with high energy, highly skilled and politically savvy and remarkably intelligent supporters and workers. In this instance, I suppose it takes one to know one, if I may toot my own horn. There are a few, however, that may just stand out above the rest, and that is frankly difficult to do. I consider that the people that I have met through this campaign to be one of the most important things that I have been fortunate enough to have happen in my adult life.

I met a gentleman from Northern California in the Reno, Nevada Obama office when I was there for my first visit just weeks before the Nevada caucus. I had no idea who he was at the time, but as the dozens of exhausted but spirited campaigners returned to the office from neighborhoods around the northern part of Nevada, this man suddenly sits down to an electric piano and starts playing and singing, much to my amazement and intrigue.

I have to admit that at first, I couldn’t quite understand what he was doing. Was a concert going to take place? No. Did he have a huge following among the people slowly returning to the office after a long day? Well, not really. He was playing simply because he loves to play, enjoys entertaining people and has a message that strongly resonates through his beautiful music.

So what did I do that late winter evening in Reno? I sat down and listened, and what I heard really pleased me. This man was good. Damn good, actually, and the complexities and texture that is weaved into the music, which he writes himself, along with deep, soulful and expressive lyrics moved me, I have to admit.

Who is this guy? His name is Sky Nelson, and I was and am impressed with him. I bought on of his CDs, then signed up to be on his email list, and occasionally receive updates on his appearances, concerts and what he’s up to. Most of his appearances are in Sonoma County, an hour and a half or more from my home, but this past Saturday night, my wife and I ventured up to one of his concerts, and once again, he mesmerized us. It seems that he’s been busy writing more beautiful music, and his concert theme was empowerment and self-appreciation, and between songs, which he played on piano and guitar, he shared some stories and encouraged the audience to share some of theirs.

Why am I letting you know all of this? Simple! This man is a huge Obama supporter, works very hard on his campaign, and has traveled to other states, including canvassing in Pennsylvania. He featured a new song, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for,” heralding the words that we have all heard come from Obama himself, and the words in that song are powerful and meaningful, just like the other songs that Sky performs with passion, intensity and honesty.

If you’d like to hear what I’m talking about, there are several ways to gain access to Sky Nelson’s music. His website is www.skynelson.com. His myspace page is myspace.com/skynelson, and his music can also be downloaded through itunes.com.

He describes his music as “positively beautiful music with a cutting edge, and he credits James Blunt, John Mayer, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Paul Simon and Sting as just a few of the artists that influence his music. I can say quite honestly that his music and talent is yearning to be heard by a larger audience, and I invite you to find out whether his lovely music and sensitive words find a home with you.

The best aspect of Sky is that he is truly a nice man. Whether he’s playing to one person in the Obama HQ in Reno or in front of a gathering of loyal, engaged fans, he is the same performer and presents the same honest, message-laden and hauntingly beautiful melodies that leave you wanting just one more song and wondering to what heights this talented composer and lyricist will eventually climb to.

Let's Follow Barack's Lead

Mark Brickman — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:08:41 EDT

We are at a point in this campaign season when we can all take a deep breath and be relatively comfortable that Barack has this nomination all but sewn up. But it’s not over yet, and instead of rubbing the Clintons’ face in it, let’s quietly sit back and let them fade into the sunset.

One thing that I have learned – and it’s taken some time for me – is that the Obama campaign knows what it’s doing. They seem to have an innate ability to look down the road and know what to do. I trust them and now feel comfortable with their decisions, and the reality is that they have been more right than wrong. As Barack always says, his bet has paid off.

As we go through the last few primaries, it is very important that we maintain our composure, display our maturity and most vital, show some humility as we attempt to heal some significant wounds that have developed over the past few months as this campaign’s opponent in conjunction with the media have been on the attack against Obama and have raised questions and caused a lot of confusion.

Although this has been a very difficult and tumultuous period in this primary season, it has actually served to strengthen Barack and allowed him to hone his skills, preparing him to face the tough challenges that lie ahead.

As we know and feel so strongly, this is our time in history. We have the candidate we have been waiting for, but we have to keep in mind that a significant number of Democrats have been spending an equal or even longer amount of time backing a different candidate, and we must respectfully give them time to reorient their focus, lick their wounds and discover in Barack what we have seen for a long time.

So we must not gloat, boast, belittle or even strut. Amongst ourselves, we can quietly celebrate, but we have a lot of reuniting to do, and as former Clinton supporters come our way, they will be assisted by all Obama supporters warmly welcoming them into the fold. We must be armed with as much information available for them as to why Barack deserves their support, and it must not at this point include any negative information on their former candidate of choice or her husband, Hillary or Bill Clinton.

If we hear that any Clinton supporter will now consider voting for McCain, please remind them that the next president will most likely nominate one if not two Supreme Court justices, not to mention that Barack will end this war and occupation of Iraq. There are obviously benefits too numerous to mention of a comparison between Obama and McCain, but if pressed, we must gently encourage former Clinton voters to acknowledge that McCain is essentially a third term for George W. Bush.

So let’s take the high road, follow the lead of Barack, who has shown such incredible intestinal fortitude and decorum, and provide a friendly harbor for former Clinton supporters to re-dock their ship in a welcoming, encouraging and understanding place where they will feel that their needs are met, their concerns are assuaged and their issues are addressed.

Once together and united, we will present an unbeatable, unstoppable and historic force against John McCain or whichever Republican candidate we ultimately face in the fall. Let’s sit tight and patiently allow former Clinton supporters to regroup and turn their attention and allegiance to the Democratic nominee, the next president of the United States, Barack Obama.

New York Times Speaks Out

Mark Brickman — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:08:27 EDT

The premiere newspaper in this country, which had originally endorsed the candidacy of Hillary Clinton, today came out with an editorial that is a must-read for all Americans. Please read it and find out why they are no longer in the Clinton camp. Here it is:

Published: May 9, 2008, New York Times There is a lot of talk that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is now fated to lose the Democratic nomination and should pull out of the race. We believe it is her right to stay in the fight and challenge Senator Barack Obama as long as she has the desire and the means to do so. That is the essence of the democratic process. But we believe just as strongly that Mrs. Clinton will be making a terrible mistake — for herself, her party and for the nation — if she continues to press her candidacy through negative campaigning with disturbing racial undertones. We believe it would also be a terrible mistake if she launches a fight over the disqualified delegations from Florida and Michigan. The United States needs a clean break from eight catastrophic years of George W. Bush. And so far, Senator John McCain is shaping up as Bush the Sequel — neverending war in Iraq, tax cuts for the rich while the middle class struggles, courts packed with right-wing activists intent on undoing decades of progress in civil rights, civil liberties and other vital areas. The Democratic Party must field the most effective and vibrant candidate it possibly can. More attack ads and squabbling will not help achieve that goal. If Mr. Obama wins, he will be that much more battered and the party will be harder to unite. Win or lose, Mrs. Clinton’s reputation will suffer more harm than it already has. She owes more to millions of Americans who have voted for her (and particularly to New Yorkers, who are entitled to expect that if she loses, she will return to the Senate with her influence and integrity intact). In addition to abandoning the attack ads, Mrs. Clinton must drop her plans to fight to seat the delegations from Florida and Michigan, which defied the Democratic Party and moved up the dates of their primaries. A lot of people voted in Florida anyway, but Mrs. Clinton should not pursue this nuclear option. It would make the Democrats look unable to control their own, just when they want to make a case that they can lead the entire nation. Both candidates have been vowing in the last two days to unite the party, and Mr. Obama could do more to rein in his anonymous campaign aides and other supporters who spend their days trashing Mrs. Clinton. The undeclared superdelegates should stop their coy posing. With few exceptions, there is no reason left (other than the hope of making back-room deals) for those whose states have voted to keep their positions private. The rest should state their allegiance as soon as their primaries are held in the next few weeks. There is a lot that Senators Clinton and Obama need to be talking about in coming weeks, starting with how they will extract the country from President Bush’s disastrous Iraq war. A robust debate about health care and the mortgage crisis would remind all American voters of what is at stake in this year’s election. It would also prepare whoever wins the nomination to be a better debater and campaigner in the fall. We endorsed Mrs. Clinton, and we know that she has a major contribution to make. But instead of discussing her strong ideas, Mrs. Clinton claimed in an interview with USA Today that she would be the better nominee because a recent poll showed that “Senator Obama’s support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again.” She added: “There’s a pattern emerging here.” Yes, there is a pattern — a familiar and unpleasant one. It is up to Mrs. Clinton to change it if she hopes to have any shot at winning the nomination or preserving her integrity and her influence if she loses.

Hillary's long campaign could be a good thing?! ; /

Suds — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:49:50 EDT

What if Hillary's excruciating campaign serves a good purpose in the end? - to exhaust any significant ammunition the Republicans might aim at Obama? Obama has made it over the hurdles so far, and very respectfully. Could it be a good thing that Hillary is taking so long to die, using up most of the Republican war strategy in the battle?

Also, being a lawyer, Hillary is trained to go to the mat on everything. Our justice system only works if a case is proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and that takes enormous energy and sometimes exhaustive opposition. Opposing counsel should only be able to win a case if their fight can stand to the bitter end and still carry the weight of truth. No slam dunk cases or kangaroo courts. It seems Obama's ability to sustain the lengthy opposition might really work to make him stronger in the minds of the public for the run of the final campaign for the Presidency.

Here's another thought I thought I would never say... I'm starting to think an Obama/Clinton political freight train would be absolutely unstoppable, no matter what the Republicans throw into the ring, and in spite of Hillary playing "below the line" politics.

Obama and Clinton can exit this present fight ring and shake hands congratulating each other on a good bout. Clinton can "see the light" about how wrong she was about Obama and influence her constituency to rally in full support of the Obama led Democratic ticket. Obama can (and does) brush off the past and move forward powerfully. It's a Win-Win.

Further, Obama/Clinton would most likely succeed again easily in 2012, and if she's still up for it in 2016, Clinton will THEN truly have the "experience" she has tried to erroneously claim now.

New Supreme Court appointments are looming, and it is desperately imperative that a non-Right Wing agenda is in place when those appointments are made. An Obama/Clinton ticket would serve that end, and despite the smell of current issues, a combined ticket would serve the country and the world in crucially important ways for years to come.

Just a thought.

My best, Suds

Bumper Sticker/slogan idea: "McCain is Bush League"

Suds — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:32:53 EDT

Bumper Sticker/slogan idea: "McCain is Bush League"

Revelation: Blacks are Also Citizens of the US

Mark Brickman — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:29:38 EDT

What if we attributed Hillary Clinton’s narrow win in Indiana to the high white demographic? After all, Indiana is 94% white. Come to think of it, that’s pretty damn white! Instead, we hear that Obama won so big in North Carolina because of the black vote. Because, if you haven’t figured it out yet, North Carolina has a higher black population than some other whiter states.

I was listening to a talk show host last night on a local San Francisco radio station, and once again, he was finding any way possible to find a silver lining about the results of the primary elections yesterday. He has been a very outspoken supporter of Clinton, and this is the main reason that I can’t listen to him anymore. But I did listen for about two minutes last night, and after he finished saying that despite Hillary Clinton’s relatively poor showing in Indiana, she would be the better and stronger candidate against John McCain.

I would expect him to say that, but the more disturbing thing I heard him say was that the reason why Obama won North Carolina so decisively was (and he lowered his voice for dramatic effect) the large black vote. Excuse me!? The last time I checked, black people, like the Asians, the Hispanics, the Irish and the Norwegians, are citizens of this country, and as such, have every right to vote for their candidate of choice.

This is blatant racism, in my humble opinion. Until we stigmatize the white population in whichever state for coming out in droves for Hillary, then I don’t want to hear anyone else point out that African Americans came out in huge numbers for Barack.

This theory is completely destroyed, anyway, when we look at Obama’s substantial wins in Kansas, Alaska and Idaho to name a few. Where were the blacks there? When Obama gets votes, it is a vote from a registered American voter, period.

I have a suggestion for anyone who shares my disgust with this somewhat racist scenario. If you hear someone point out that Obama won something or didn’t because he is more or less popular in a certain community, simply say that Obama won because more “people” voted for him. Black, white, brown or clear, who cares? It is time in this country to move beyond racial stereotypes and recognize that a voter is a voter is a voter. Get over it!

Let's Glimpse Upcoming Clinton Strategy

Mark Brickman — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:45:55 EDT

Whether you like it or not, and whether it has any merit or not, the Clinton/McCain gas tax holiday proposal has worked very successfully in working class neighborhoods and regions across Indiana, and I have taken the liberty of peeking into the Clinton schedule for the next few weeks to see what we all have in store. I am doing this to warn the Obama campaign to be prepared for the next barrage of attacks.

Beginning Monday morning, Hillary Clinton will stand on the front steps of the United Mine Association in Charleston, West Virginia and announce that she is calling for a winter tax holiday on all coal products. She will additionally call for an immediate inspection of all coal mines and will pay for it with a windfall profits tax on national oil companies. She is planning on hammering Obama on being against coal miner safety and having a complete lack of knowledge of the coal industry.

In Kentucky, the Clintons will crisscross the state proclaiming that Hillary’s grandfather was in one of the very first bluegrass bands. They will emphasize that Hillary, as a young girl, remembers sitting around the family cabin on Cave Run Lake where she sat for hours mesmerized by Grandpa Louie as he instilled in her patriotism and American values. She also plans a photo op at Churchill Downs where she’ll pet a horse and announce that only elite people like Barack Obama could possibly own a racehorse, but that she admires the spirit and tenacity of the horses that race in Kentucky and, for that matter, all Kentucky thoroughbreds and will compare herself to the great racehorses of years past.

When she gets to Oregon in a couple of weeks, unless things change dramatically on the ground, Hillary Clinton plans to announce a moratorium on all pine tree cutting for the foreseeable future. The expectation is that Obama will seize on the opportunity to point out that this action will cripple the logging industry and will immediately have an impact on construction and building, and the Clintons, who plan a huge blitz in Eugene, will drive home the point that Obama just doesn’t love nature and wishes to cut down every tree in the northwest. She is prepared to announce that synthetic wheat growers in the eastern sections of Oregon will fill the void.

If it gets that far, the Clintons plan to head down to Puerto Rico with straw hats and sandals to announce that rum is not just the nectar of the gods, but that rum workers in Puerto Rico should get a doubling in their pay and benefits. This would, of course, be paid for by invoking a windfall profits tax on the oil companies. When and if Obama calls the arbitrary wage hike unwise or pandering, Hillary Clinton will point out that poor Barack, being a chardonnay drinker, would never comprehend the plight of poor rum workers in the Caribbean.

If you haven’t caught on yet, this is meant to be totally tongue in cheek. I don’t know what the Clintons have in store for Obama in the coming weeks, but this is written in reaction to my observations in the past two months that the Clintons have taken stands and have immediately pointed out that Barack is against it, whether he’s against it or not, or conversely, that he’s in favor of something when the Clintons are suddenly against it.

If Their Lips Are Moving, They're Lying

Mark Brickman — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:53:27 EDT

I admit it… I’m a political news junkie. I will watch most news stories and interviews about this presidential race and choose that over Dancing with the Stars, American Idol and many of the most popular shows. But as we enter into the twilight of this presidential primary season, I am finding myself going back to the mainstream programs in lieu of listening to pundits and surrogates over and over and over again.

Don’t get me wrong. I can sit there and listen to Obama spokespeople all day long. Their perspectives are refreshing, insightful, honest and engaging. I just can’t stomach any longer listening to Clinton surrogates and spokespeople spinning, exaggerating, positing implausible scenarios or, yes, sometimes simply not telling the truth.

I have been treated to Clinton, even this morning, bragging that she leads in popular vote totals and actually adding delegates in Michigan and Florida that technically don’t exist. I have heard Clinton people proclaiming that just last week, Obama was ahead in North Carolina by thirty points over Clinton, that Obama was always ahead in Indiana and that it’s just amazing that she’ll win when Obama has been predicting victory in Indiana for months.

I have heard Bill Clinton using racial hate speech several times, and when called on it, trying to pin it on Obama’s race-baiting. I have heard the CEO of the Black Entertainment Network standing up after an event using extremely incendiary comments to negatively describe Barack Obama. I witnessed Geraldine Ferraro boldly stating that Obama wouldn’t have any prominence if he wasn’t black, and I won’t even mention the hypocrisy, hate and complete disingenuousness that Clinton, her surrogates and the media itself have dealt with the Jeremiah Wright issue.

I actually thought that I’d write this blog in a satirical manner, falsely attributing far-fetched and hard-to-believe comments to Clinton people, but frankly, at this point, my attempt at humor and reality is too blurred. We have gotten to the point where Clinton surrogates have really become mouthpieces, similar to Fox News news readers, where they get today’s talking points and go out there and shout ‘em out.

If anyone can tell me whether Clinton or any of her people, from her husband on down, have actually addressed a question with honesty, integrity and without a tinge of spin, will you let me know? The other day, I watched Lanny Davis, a favorite of certain political talking head programs who speaks for Clinton, and although the rest of the panel rightly pointed out that Obama has satisfactorily dealt with the Wright issue and that the controversy is now off the front page, he says, “No. I don’t think Obama has answered the question of why he sat there for twenty years listening to that.” He was immediately attacked with incredulity by the panel, but he just shrugged and gave that annoying little smirk I’ve seen on him before.

I for one am way more than ready for this Democratic primary season to be over so that we can turn our attention to John McCain. He’s got his own set of spinmeisters, but they’re tame compared to Hillary Clinton’s, in my opinion. I feel that Obama will give McCain more than he can handle, and that this country is ready to move on and turn this page in history. I am hopeful that today marks the turning point where Barack receives enough pledged delegates to put Hillary Clinton too far out of this race to mathematically recover and that the superdelegates recognize that and jump off the fence and into the Obama camp.