I engaged in an e-mail train with some members of groups to which I belong, and I'd like to show everyone the following train.  I think we had a pretty reasoned discussion that evolved without turning into a pissing match, something that happens all too often in our groups...the point is to share without getting shouted down, respectfully asked to consider or reconsider what was just written, and not take everything personally.

[NationForChangeYesWeStand] Re: Re: RE: Re: Just chiming in.‏From:peggy gervias (pmaher_2006@yahoo.com)Sent:Thu 5/15/08 12:40 AMReply-to:pmaher_2006@yahoo.comTo: Nation For Change! (NationForChangeYesWeStand@groups.barackobama.com)thank you ladies, i can't believe obama would approve of some of the stuff i've seen on here.  degrading and ridiculing people who just don't know any better and nobody cared enough to try to educate them.                             p

Carole Kuklis <ckuklis1@gmail.com> wrote:

Congratulations on the fortitude it takes to continue an ongoing conversation that produced significant results. Rolling with the resistance is key. When I am making calls for Barack, I frequently continue my conversations with anyone willing to have a respectful dialog despite our differences. I know that when I am polite and patient, I give many people a moment to pause, to let go of some of the fear that drives their decisions and then gives them an opportunity to consider an alternative. This strategy may not work in every case but I know Barack would approve.CaroleSocial Worker for Obama

On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 11:24 PM, Elizabeth McKinley <bigmacsmama@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hi everyone,
 
I was at work when Edwards gave his speech so I just watched it on YouTube (I noted he still expects to get a jet ski from Stephen Colbert).  I thought his speech was very unifying and powerful.
 
My experience (with Obama detractors) is this: of the people I know who don't support Barack Obama, I would say about 50% of them don't like Obama because they are Hillary supporters (variety of backgrounds), and the other 50% can't give me a cohesive answer regarding why they don't like him.  I've continued to ask if I can help them with "getting to know" Barack Obama, and they refuse my information.  Then they started sending me the "secretmuslimterroristantichrist" BS--that's their story and they're sticking to it.  It appears to me that they want a valid (to them) reason to dislike him.  I've come to the conclusion that those people are either closeted ultraconservatives or closeted bigots.  Remember--I'm talking about the people I know personally.
 
What was it that Ricky Nelson sang in Garden Party?  You can't please everyone...there are going to be some people you just can't persuade or talk to about Senator Obama.  Their minds are made up.  Period.
 
That having been said, for the first time in a long time I "feel" that the rift in the party can be repaired with time and good campaigning.  I think John Edwards did a lot today to further that cause.  But I'm an Edwards fan.  He's my choice for VP (I know he's said he wouldn't accept it, maybe that's why I feel free stating it), and had Senator Obama not been in this race I would have supported John Edwards.
 
I, for one, will take whatever small measures I can to contribute to reuniting the party.  I'm a delegate to my state convention this weekend, and while I'll be wearing and carrying my Obama gear, I'm also going to take a Hillary campaign sign (I "stole" it from my country convention*-*) and let her supporters know I respect them and their candidate of choice.  I've lost a lot of respect for Hillary Clinton these past few months; I think she's run an 'uber negative campaign.  Her aggressiveness, entitlement, and ambition blinded her to a large degree.  I've tried very hard to keep my negative comments limited to HRC and not about her supporters, as I believe we need them and not her this fall.
 
So...there are my pearls of wisdom from Colorado on this fine evening.  Everyone have a good night!
 
Beth in CO


Elizabeth "Hussein" McKinley
Thornton, ColoradoObamAmerican 
To learn more about why I support Senator Barack Obama, please check out my pages/blogs at Obama Brigade and MyBarackObama.com:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/bethmckinley

www.obamabrigade.com/profile/ElizabethBethMcKinley
 
Want to know what I really think? Check out: http://www.fatbitch4obama.blogspot.com  Get my unjaded truth
  
Create your own personalized Obama logo at  http://logobama.com

"I'm asking you to believe.  Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours".  Senator Barack Obama

Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 22:38:22 -0400
To: NationForChangeYesWeStand@groups.barackobama.com
From: gsaunders500@earthlink.net
Subject: [NationForChangeYesWeStand] Re: Just chiming in.

With many things, I am usually a positive thinker, but not this and a couple of other things.
Today, someone gleefully pointed out to me that Senator Edwards endorsed Senator Obama.  I wasn't as gleeful.  My response was of course he did.  He was afraid he wouldn't be able to get a seat on the bus.  For Edwards to tip his hat to Obama after the NC's election and so many days after the election, lessened my appreciation of his act.
Also, the media is implying that Obama could/should open his coffers and help HC with her debt.  Hearing that was like a bucket of cold water, after reading the many, many emails from groups who have donated/volunteer/shared their resources to support our cause.  I am not saying this will come to pass.  I inferred it to mean HC would possibly step down more quickly or softly if she could bite that carrot.
One last thing ... A friend said she was pleased with Obama nor was she a HC fan, because she wasn't Bill.  So, I asked her what challenge did she have with Obama?  Could I try to clear up anything for her.  She finally said he wasn't a Lincoln or Reagan when it came to speaking ... Obama  wasn't a great communicator. I took a beat and asked her if she'd ever heard Lincoln speak.
I thought, I'm talking to a Republican! (What should I say?)  Then I finally pulled from her that she'd listen to a debate and that he stumbled through.  I was momentarily speechless (as you can tell that is not an easy thing for me).  I snapped out of it and gave examples of his speeches and also how I thought he'd lost focus during the last debate due to the many bizarre questions.  I don't think I won her over.
Does anyone have any pointers on this item?

-----Original Message-----
From: C Johnson
Sent: May 14, 2008 8:32 PM
To: Nation For Change!
Subject: [NationForChangeYesWeStand] Re: Re: RE: Re: Re: Re: Obama Way Ahead in Oregon

I agree...I think that Edwards was really trying hard to bring dems together today and it is really important.  I completely think he planned it that way.  I also found a reason to be more hopeful about HRC myself last night (something I have not been able to bring myself to feel about her for months) I do think that in her speech last night, despite still being on another planet w/ her plan to win, she did not put Sen Obama down for a change and that gave me hope.  It gave me hope that she is seeing that she needs to be nice to him because he will be the candidate and she needs to start toning it down. 

Carol    


----- Original Message ----
From: Margaret Schultz <margschultz@gmail.com>
To: Nation For Change! <NationForChangeYesWeStand@groups.barackobama.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:04:05 PM
Subject: [NationForChangeYesWeStand] Re: RE: Re: Re: Re: Obama Way Ahead in Oregon

Eek. I have some very well -educated, progressive family and friends who happen to support Hillary. They are not racist, they love Hillary, love where she stands on issues, she speaks to them and Obama does not. Hard for me to completely understand but I am respectful. I will leave room for them to get over their loss over the summer and then rally their energy to help in the fall for the General Elections.
No need to put down Hillary, take the high road like John Edwards did today, in recognizing the hard work and dedication of Hillary while still endorsing Obama.

Margaret Schultz(415) 706-3177 Cellmargschultz@gmail.com
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

On May 14, 2008, at 2:04 PM, Elizabeth McKinley wrote:
I gently urge all of you to reconsider labeling and stereotyping the people who support Hil lary, especially when those stereotypes and descriptions are derogatory (i.e., "Hillary's got the poorest, least educated, and most racist people in America supporting her. I'm not sure she should be so proud of that..."), especially when 1) we want to ask those people to support Senator Obama, and 2) Senator Obama wants to change things for the poorest and least educated.  I have concluded, for myself personally, that about 50% of the people I know (friends/family) who don't like Senator Obama don't like him for what can only be described as racist reasons, but I address that issue one-on-one with them.  
 
In addition to the above, don't forget the trolls.
 
Beth in CO  


Elizabeth "Hussein" McKinley
Thornton, ColoradoObamAmerican 
To learn more about why I support Senator Barack Obama, please check out my pages/blogs at Obama Brigade and MyBarackObama.com:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/bethmckinley

www.obamabrigade.com/profile/ElizabethB ethMcKinley
 
Want to know what I really think? Check out:& nbsp; http://www.fatbitch4obama.blogspot.com  Get my unjaded truth
  
Create your own personalized Obama logo at  http://logobama.com

"I'm asking you to believe.  No t just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours".  Senator Barack Obama

Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 16:10:31 -0400
To: NationForChangeYesWeStand@groups.barackobama.com
From: dee.jacobsen@gmail.com
Subject: [NationForChangeYesWeStand] Re: Re: Re: Obama Way Ahead in Oregon

A prediction: Obama will not have a problem winning West Virginia this November.  Here is a trailer of a ON DEMAND documentar y on Sundance Channel NOW... it is about West Virginia and COAL and Obama can appeal to LOTS of Mountaineers - once they get to know who he is and what he will do.  YES WE CAN.http://burningthefuture.com/movietrailer.cfm  Dee 4 Obama 08 + 8


On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 2:52 PM, Betty A Harris <bettyaharris@juno.com> wrote:

Ah, I've spent some time in WV and a large segment of it is single wide mobile homes up on cinder blocks perched on the side of winding roads and the yards are full of trash.  I've got pictures.LOL < /div> On Wed, 14 May 2008 13:00:13 -0400 Barinder Sharma  <barindersharma@yahoo.com> writes:

Hillary's got the poorest, least educated, and most racist people in America supporting her. I'm not sure she should be so proud of that... I'm not saying all of her supporters fall into those categories, I'm just saying people in those categories tend to favor Hillary. These are people that don't have the time (because they have to "work so hard") or the resources (because old politics left them behind) to know what's really going on in the world. Anyone that understands the issues and pays attention can see through the political nonsense and knows B arack is a clear winner on all the issues. In a perfect world, Hillary would say "If you're going to vote for me because I'm not black, then I don't want your vote!" But if we lived in a perfect world, Bush never could've stolen two elections...


----- Original Message ----
From: Laura Oatman <Laura.Oatman@thekorgroup.com>
To: barindersharma@yahoo.com; Nation For Change! <NationForChangeYesWeStand@groups.barackobama.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 10:12:29 AM
Subject: RE: [ NationForChangeYesWeStand] Obama Way Ahead in Oregon

But....but...but... this can't be!  These people are hard-working and WHITE, for God's sake! Well, maybe they're white, but have been eating too much arugula (and it's damaged their brains)? Or maybe they're white, but they have most of their teeth?  I don't know, but this just doesn't make any sense.....  The whites are supposed to vote for the "more electable" white candidate, right?
 
Sorry, I couldn't resist a little sarcasm this morning after watching the comedy on TV last night J< SPAN XSSCleaned="COLOR: black">.

 
Oregon, make those of us with lighter-pigmented skin proud again!
 
Go Oregon go!  
 
Laura
 
 
From: Barinder Sharma [mailto:barindersharma@yahoo.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 6:53 AM
To: Nation For Change!
Subject: [NationForChangeYesWeStand] Obama Way Ahead in Oregon
 
Portland Tribune Poll: Obama Way Ahead in OregonA new Portland Tribune poll in Oregon finds Sen. Barack Obama "has amassed a nearly insurmountable lead" in advance of next week's primary.

Obama leads Sen. Hillary Clinton by 20 points, 55% to 35%, among like ly Dem ocratic voters.

Said pollster Tim Hibbetts: "Barring a disaster, Barack Obama's going to win Oregon , and he may win it very big. This is the widest lead that I've seen of any poll for Obama in Oregon . I'd be shocked if Obama didn't win here." 

 http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/05/14/portland_tribune_poll_obama_way_ahead_in_oregon.html
 


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