Posts with the tag Super Tuesday

Democrats Abroad on Super Tuesday: Madrid

Angela — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:11:06 EST

Well, it was definitely more fun than voting in NYC. For one thing, the music was a lot better. Can't embed video here, but if you'd like to see the video. . .

Special thanks to Democrats Abroad, Robert Harding Pittman for his great, spontaneous camera work, and to Dr. Sardonic for editorial consulting. This is a mocaenboca.tv production.

YES, WE DID: TWO GENERATIONS VOLUNTEERING FOR OBAMA

Ann — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:07:07 EDT

Barack Obama has won the democratic nomination. Yes, we can. Yes, We Did! As one of millions of Americans, a liver transplant nurse coordinator and her adult son, a computer programmer, through volunteering, can now share in the success. Read the blog about volunteering on Texas primary election day and see the pictures of Barack Obama's visits to San Antonio.

"Bak Obam"

BrandyL44 — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:24:32 EDT

So I really do know how to spell our candidate's name but had to post about my children's learned enthusiasm for "Bak Obam". My four year old likes to chant "Go Barack Go! Go Barack Go!" and think good thoughts for him in regards to "winning the race against Hillary Clinton and then winning the race against ohn McCain". My two year old saw Barack Obama's face on my hubby's computer today and said "Bak Obam!" :)

I suppose the knowledge of Barack came to my children this winter during Super Tuesday while we were outside of a meditarainian resteraunt waiting for our food. There was this awesome work truck with what was kind of like a cattle trailer on the back and the driver had these huge Obama posters plastered to the sides. He was using a bullhorn telling everyone to go out and vote for Obama. My four year old, curious about the desire someone would have for shouting in to a bullhorn right in the middle of a busy strip mall said "mom, what is that guy doing??" He had also questioned just a bit earlier why there were people on the corner with big signs (Hillary supporters) shouting to people. At that point I had told him about a big race where two people were hoping to win and how much I wanted a man named "Barack Obama to win". He asked what the race was about and why I wanted him to win. Well, we strive not to be a highly competitive family and always try to remind our children that it's nice to support people on the other "team" when they win (although I AM finding it hard to practice myself with these never ending primaries!) ;) and told him that the person that won this race would help continue to make guidelines that people in our country will follow and that the person will help work to make sure that people can go to the doctor, have food to eat, etc. and that the people in the race have different ways that they think that they will do that. I told him that Obama seems like he really wants to help people like us and that he wants to help our country be a safe, happy place. He then promptly said "Well then I want Barack Obama to win this race too". It is just that easy for a 4 year old. :)

So from that point on my kids and husband have been following my desire to watch the primary results, endless CNN and other news sources (such as "Faux", I can thank one of the men on my friends list for that term) where I usually end up frustrated, wondering why in the world the networks have to be SO biased. I try to focus on the positive with our children though and try to help them see that it's important to support someone they believe in.

With all of that said, it was a very cute, warm fuzzy today when my younger son (2 years old in just a couple of weeks) saw Barack's picture today and said "Mom! Bak Obam!". My husband and eldest son said "Mom, did you hear T?" hee hee We all thought it was cute and he thought he was pretty cute himself.

So it all seems to start here. Teaching the importance of policital interest. Teaching children what really matters. It's not all of the bickering, which "candidate has outspent us 2-3 times over". It's about what matters to you, the individual, the family. It's about what you see for your future and for the future of your children. It's what you teach them is important, is worthy of your time and energy. It's what they see as mattering to you that affects them and leaves an impression.

It's my hope that Barack Obama isn't only awakening my generation of voters but that our generation is awakening our children and their future wishes to participate in shaping the country that they live in.

Germans Want You To Know: Dusseldorf Appreciates Barack Obama's Dogged Pursuit of the Nomination

Mark Wiznitzer — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:15:05 EDT

Last month I told you about the Belgian politicians who decided to put up posters of Barack Obama at the entrances to the historic city of Brugge (Bruges) in an effort to reach out to American tourists. Well in case you missed it, here are photos of a float in the Dusseldorf carnival parade in early February, just before Super Tuesday. A Stern poll of over a thousand Germans conducted about the same time indicated that they favored Obama over Clinton by 43 to 39 percent.

Dumble Digits versus the Obama Landslide

Bigname Scientist — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:12:17 EDT

Every time I hear "Double Digit win" I get angry. In order to turn a 9.2% lead in Penn into a "double digit win" Clinton's spinmeisters rounded 54.6 up to 55% and rounded 45.4% down to 45%, then subtracted AFTER rounding, doubling the rounding error and dumbling the media.

We need a group of mathematicians or scientists to make news pointing out this intentional error. If she can't add 2+2 what does that say about budgeting? Its the same spinning baloney as when Texas ended in a statistical tie (before Obama won most caucus delegates), yet Clinton turned that day into a "big triple win" instead of conceding after losing only 13 states in a row instead of 15.

Today she is claiming to win the popular vote by counting uncountable states. The truth is that since Florida and Michigan don't count, of the 42 states counted so far, Obama has won 28 states to Clinton's 14 states. Thats 66.6% to 33.3% -- an electoral landslide if democratic delegates were allocated like Republicans or the Electoral College.

Similarly, we can look at the results of biggest 100 cities in America, the size of crowds at events, as well as fundraising prowess. We have and are witnessing the Obama Landslide, and it is completely obvious except to those who have been dumbled-down.

Obama's California Comeback

N. Julio Barthson - E-Campaign Leader — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:32:06 EDT

Barack Obama did a lot better in California and won more delegates than had initially been reported...

Last minute canvassing

Kristan — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:52:54 EST

Last night the kids and I went canvassing for Obama around my neighborhood. It was so damn cold but they were bundled up in their wagon and although we got the door slammed on us a few times, it was an extraordinary experience because of the overwhelming support I found in my neighborhood for Obama and as a Democrat. I got hugs from Obama supporters and even passed out all but two flyers which the kids wanted to keep. What was nice was finding the Obama supporters and having them promise to pass on some flyers themselves for Super Tuesday. I called my family, a few friends and texted everybody else. It was nice because for the few who I saw last night that were undecided, they told me that because I spent time trying to educate them about Obama and that because I had been the only one representing any of the candidates that they were going to vote for Obama. When I texted some of my friends last night and this morning a few of them had actually admitted that they forgot to vote, but guess who they told me they had voted for when they finally did get to go vote today!! Furthermore, and I think one of the best perks of calling my family was convincing my aunt to vote. I honestly don't know who she voted for, but she told me today that she did indeed vote because of what I had told her about women not always having the right to vote and the need to exercise that right.

Overall it was really amazing that I could make a difference in people's choices for president and rewarding that I had actually been able to convince people to vote for Obama.

Super Tuesday Optimism

Halford Fairchild, Ph.D. — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:19:40 EST

Tomorrow will be another HISTORIC DAY in the campaign of the next president of the United States. It is to be a day of definition, and a day of HOPE.

Barack Obama is a BRILLIANT man with a VISION for our country and the world. Sure, he's not perfect, even he admits it. But what a breath of FRESH AIR.

C'mon folks, let's pull together to make the victories tomorrow by large margins.

Considering hypotheticals ... a weak point for Clinton ...

LaLa in KCMO — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:53:54 EST

Consider this ...

When asked about her plan to create more than 5 million jobs in America, Tim Russert reminded Clinton of her 2000 plan to create 250,000 jobs in upstate New York. He went on to reveal that upstate New York is now 30,000 jobs in the deficit. Hillary's explanation was that she was banking on Al Gore being President.
The Clinton campaign failed to plan for any serious campaigning after Super Tuesday.

Now this exerpt from the 2/27 debate ...

MR. RUSSERT: I want to ask both of you this question, then. If we -- if this scenario plays out and the Americans get out in total and al Qaeda resurges and Iraq goes to hell, do you hold the right, in your mind as American president, to re-invade, to go back into Iraq to stabilize it?

SEN. CLINTON: You know, Tim, you ask a lot of hypotheticals. And I believe that what's --

MR. RUSSERT: But this is reality.

SEN. CLINTON: No -- well, it isn't reality. You're -- you're -- you're making lots of different hypothetical assessments.

Hypotheticals, though hypothetical, are nevertheless to be considered. Our world has seen a lot of events happen that were beyond hypothetical, they were unimaginable.

Our leader MUST be able to think out the hypotheticals. This isn't checkers, it's chess.

** Please pass this along ... **

YES WE CAN!

Voting on Super Tuesday in Ireland

Doug from Austin, TX — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:05:30 EST

It turned out that we were able to vote on Super Tuesday in Ireland!

We were planning on absentee voting in Texas, but at noontime i saw a CNN rticle that referred to "Democrats Abroad" voting in Indonesia hich mentioned that there were 20 delegates elected by Democrats in foreign countries. So we took a train across the country to vote in a pub in Dublin -- the only voting place the Democratic Party set up in Ireland.

We figured that if we were two of 20,000 voters for 20 delegates, that would mean we had a greater influence than being two of a million or more voters for 235 delegates. [In 2004 about 840,000 Texans voted in the Democratic primary even after Kerry had already won the Democratic nomination.]

Obama Rally Video Footage in Los Angeles - Super Tuesday

fredyt3 — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:13:35 EST

The link below is a 6 minute clip of the Obama rally held at the Los Angeles Sentinel headquarters as Los Angelenos' prepared for Super Tuesday. Word on the street is many who voted for Hillary on 2/5, NOW SEE THE TRUTH and only wish they could turn back the clock and have voted for Barack Obama. But oh well, we will see if the sweep continues today with Wisconsin and Hawaii and as the tide has turned, Texas has lost the Hillary steam but WE STILL NEED TO BE VERY DILLEGENT IN GETTING THE VOTE OUT so we never have another New Hamshire!!!!!

Video Footage - click on link below

http://fredyt.my.nero.com/blog/7201824

Will The Sweep Continue - Wisconsin & Hawaii

fredyt3 — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:09:42 EST

Now is the time to make (keep) our message loud and clear. I project another sweep in Wisconsin and Hawaii tomorrow - leading up the the "big" showdown next Tuesday. What are your thoughts???

Obama Won More Red States than Clinton on Super Tuesday

rberlind — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:47:20 EST

One of the most interesting results in the Democratic race on Super Tuesday was the fact that most of the states Barack Obama won were “Red” states in the 2000 and 2004 Presidential elections, meaning that they voted for George Bush. In addition, he won more Red states than Hillary Clinton did.

Obama won the following Red states on Super Tuesday: Alaska, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, North Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Alabama, and Georgia. In addition, he previously won in South Carolina and Iowa (which voted for Bush in 2004).

Clinton won the following Red states last night: Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee. She previously won in Nevada and Florida (although neither she nor Obama campaigned in the latter and the outcome might have been very different if they had).

These results suggest that Barack Obama could ultimately be more electable than Hillary Clinton in the general election since a Democratic candidate needs to win some of the Red states in order to beat the Republican candidate.

This blog entry was originally posted here.

St. Louis, MO.bama

Albert McMurry — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:45:52 EST

I'm in STL this week then traveling to Columbia, MO. for the weekend. Lots of Obama support here even though this was a very tight race on Super Tuesday. I'd like to nickname the state MO.bamaland just so we don't have any more scares here.

The Idaho Caucus

Logan Stoodley — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:20:22 EST

Yeah, I know it's been a week since Super Tuesday and the Idaho Caucus, but I still feel like sharing my experiences there. In all actuality, I think that Obama's big win in Idaho has been overlooked, and what I saw and felt while I was at the Kootenai County caucus is proof of what Obama can do in our country. To understand why, I'm going to fill you in on a little joke we share around here during election season. You'll see a bunch of people holding up signs supporting whoever the Democratic party supports in whatever election, and inevitably as you drive pass someone in the car will say 'Oh look, there's all the Kootenai County Democrats! All 12 of them!'

You see Democrats in Idaho are kinda like an endangered species, and also somewhat of a joke. It's almost easier to find Bigfoot. So when I walked towards the North Idaho College gym, expecting maybe a couple hundred people to show up, because of Obama-mania and all the phone calls. But the previous week we'd been hit by a terrible string of winter storms that had practically shut down the city of Coeur d'Alene, so I was expecting that even less people would show up. Imagine my surprise when I saw a line. People were out in full force. I waited a good 15 minutes in line, and that was because I arrived relatively early.

Michelle and Barack in DE

DNMP — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:41:38 EST

Before Super Tuesday both Michelle and Barack made appearences in Delaware. Unfortunately, I was in school so I missed both events but I was really excited to hear that they came through the first state.

Click this link to see picture slideshows of their visit: http://www.picturethatfilms.com/Picture_That/Home.html

I was really proud to see Delawarians out and about in support of this campaign.

DNMP

Washington, Nebraska and Louisiana Up Next

Paul C. — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:29:12 EST

I'm anxious to see how they turn out. As is par, I'm not following polls and simply hoping (audaciously) for the best.

I keep wondering where exactly people are getting their delegate counts from. The New York Times on Wednesday had some 500-ish delegates for B.O. and H.C., clearly an estimate, and CNN has consistently had Hillary up by 15-30 in their estimates. MSNBC is saying Obama has more than Hillary, but their estimate barely higher than the Times'. I'm guessing it's a difference between "known" delegates and "probable" delegates.

Well, going by CNN's numbers, Obama has a way to go to catch up. He still has to get 100 delegates to pull even. I get a feeling like that won't happen either until the very last states or that it won't happen at all, and Edwards' delegates will become decisive. Boy, wouldn't that be a nerve-wracker?

There was a small debate today about the relative democraticness of the Republican and Democratic primaries. While the Democrats do not use any winner-take-all elections, they do have many more Superdelegates who are not allocated by a popular vote or caucus. Six of one, a half-dozen of the other.

p.s. I submitted a big paper on voting behavior for publication. Hopefully it will be accepted, as then I can start talking about it more!

A few thoughts...

Rev. J. Marin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:02:56 EST

So wow what a week it's been. Super Tuesday has come and past with some great lessons. We learned that this movement we are involved in, this Obama for Change campaign has some real clout, with winning the majority of the States that had either primaries or caucuses on that day. We learned that Mr. Obama really does care for the little guy, as evidenced by his campaigning in not just the big states or in just the winner take all states (as opposed to Mrs. Clinton who concentrated on such states....yea she cares for the little guys [and gals])

We learned that real change is knocking on the door....it's here asking to come in and help tidy up the mess that exists! The best part of this change?; it's not just that it is here....it's not that it has a great leader....no it's that it involves each and every one of us!

My family and I listened to both Mr. Obama's and Mr. McCain's speeches Tuesday night. From those speeches we learned that Mr. McCain is a polite well spoken man looking to unify his party. We also learned that Mr. Obama is a dignified down to earth man, who has a booming voice for change and unifying a great country! We learned that there are people enthralled with his message. We learned that this can be the year, that American's everywhere stand up and say that Change has come!

These are the reason, at least some of the reason, that this year I decided to do somethings I have never done. I got involved. I have called people, talked with strangers about politics. I have blogged about a specific candidate, i have made calls encouraging people to attend there local caucus and donated to a campaign!

Why? Because this is the year that I believe change can really be made in this Great Land we call home!

I hope you stand with me, I hope the people's voice is heard....the time for real change is NOW!

Super Tuesday--Super Speech--Super Candidate

Paul from Belleair Beach, FL — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:51:04 EST

I wanted to offer a few thoughts on Super Tuesday from a still undecided voter: I went into the day and night knowing that the outcome between Barack and Hillary was going to be close...I just never guessed it would be that close! Wow, it was a great night and I guess it was somewhat fitting that the results would be so close between what I believe are two great candidates! With the voting finished and the States 'called' I wasn't ready to let the night end...I had to see the speeches! Now I don't purport to be a writer, nor do I even play one on TV, but I love words...and I deeply admire the people that can string them together to create something moving and masterful. And I further admire the people that can stand up and speak these words and not only speak them in the fashion intended by the writer, but to give life to them...to make the spoken word, greater than the written word...to hear a speaker like this is magical experience-and on what could have been described as a magical day in American politics...I was ready to hear the speeches.

Unfortunately I believe I've heard enough of these speeches from these candidates that I tend to subconsciously handicap them. The imaginary bar in my mind, so to speak, is unintentionally lowered for some and raised for others. As I sat listening then...perhaps a bit numb from the hours of commentary...I felt particularly unmoved by what I was hearing. Not really disappointed in some, as is usually the case, but also not particularly inspired. Finally when it got to Hillary Clinton, I sat and listened to a well written and well managed speech, that had a very good finish, but also a speech that didn't quite live up to the Super Tuesday stage.

When it came to Barack's turn, I sat a little closer to the TV, listened a little more intently and raised my expectations more than a hair. As the speech was unfolding though, I couldn't help but catch myself thinking that maybe I had raised the bar to high for Barack. Perhaps there had been just too many spine tingling, bump raising speeches in the past, that I had come to expect too much? Well, just about the time I had finished this thought, I heard Senator Obama state something very close to, 'We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek..' It was a perfect string of words, delivered in such a flawless manner, that I thought maybe I didn't actually hear them...I was tired, was it just something I had imagined? It wasn't until Chris Mathews repeated them at the end of the speech, that I could take a breath with the knowledge that I had actually heard those words spoken.

The perfect words--at the perfect time...he had not disapointed...he had lived up to and surpassed my every expectation and I was once again left at the end of one of his speeches, with the burning desire to go out and do someting for my country. Maybe this time I know exactly what I can do for my country...I hope the rest of the country is listening, too!

Super Tuesday Aftermath

Maddog Salamander — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:09:23 EST

Well the chips are falling now in both parties. Mitt Romney saw the numbers, internalized them, and decided that it is better to fight again another day, rather than to drag out the dischord in the Republican party until the convention. Will Hillary be as kind to the Democrats?

It seems to me that Colorado is pretty level headed on both sides of the aisle: Obama for the Dems, and Romney for the Pubs. Now my candidate is clearly out, and I am very happy that I didn't accept that nomination to be a precinct captain. It would be embarrassing to have to vote against my party's candidate while holding a position in the party.

More and more I swing my support Obama's way. I strike down the internet rumors wherever I hear them. I defend his positions (they are more defensible than McCain's.) I even give a nod to his tasteful attire. Nice suits Barak!

As the RNC revels in its slow and inevitable descent into darkness, Barak Obama brings a chance for light and hope to the nation. That just leaves the question: what of the Michigan and Florida delegates.

Obama In The Lead

BC — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:16:41 EST

Obama now has more elected delegates than Clinton - see CBS News article. The momentum is building and it was clearly seen in the Super Tuesday results. Obama won more states and more delegates than Clinton that night. He is now in the lead!

Why hasn't the media highlighted this exciting development? Who knows, but we'll have to keep on pushing ahead. As for the Super Delegates - they are not rock solid, although right now they do put Clinton ahead. Maybe some will switch as the winds of change keep blowing and excitement builds. Besides, after the next few elections they will not even matter!

They said he coudn't do it!

Warren — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 07:54:58 EST

The votes from Super Tuesday are all but in and it looks like our man has achieved that which many said he couldn't. It's time for a new US on the world stage and he is the person to bring it

What's Coming Next?

N. Julio Barthson - E-Campaign Leader — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:08:10 EST

Here's what's coming next. Please, get to your phones and start making calls. Donate as much as you can to the campaign so that we can maintain the momentum. Hope and Change are on the way...

Donations - Now!

Stageplay — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:36:55 EST

Congratulations to all of us Obama supporters for our great performance on Super Tuesday yesterday!

Today I donated again to the campaign. You folks all know about the news of Hilllary lending her campaign $5,000,000. The time is now to donate to OUR campaign. This is my third donation and I will donate again as time goes on. If you can swing it send some money to the Obama campaign...it is OUR campaign for change and money is the grease that keeps the cogs turning smoothly. You know the Clinton campaign will do or say whatever it takes to win. To beat them, we must support OUR campaign with dollars!

It astounds me that so many people are supporting Hillary, a candidate who cannot beat John McCain in the general election, but they do support her, and I think it may be because they lack the foresight to know that she cannot beat McCain, just as she lacked foresight when she voted to give Bush the power to invade Iraq. We need to educate the Clinton supporters...open their eyes and their minds. Send any donation that you can and send it now!

Super Tuesday Leave New Political Map

Bob Ostertag — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:33:10 EST

The main thing that jumps out is how fluid American politics is right now. Just look at the map. Clinton has a little pocket around Arkansas, another pocket in the Northeast, and another in the Southwest. Obama has everything else. The fault lines here are not those we have seen in recent decades. There are many other indicators as well, beginning with a black candidate sweeping the West and mid-West, and by huge margins: Idaho by 62%, Kansas by 48%, Alaska by 49%. These are huge margins.

The exit polls show very unusual coalitions. Obama has young people, rich and educated people, blacks, and rednecks. Clinton has Asians, Latinos, and her husband's machine. Again, these are not the fault lines we have been stuck with in recent decades.

On the Republican side, what stands out more clearly every day is the fracturing of the coalition of the evangelicals with the rest of the party. That is really the "news" behind all the Republican numbers, and it is big news, because that is the coalition that has led this country into the mess we are in today. The evangelicals and "conservatives" are doggedly sticking with Huckabee, basically "going down" with Huckabee. Limbaugh continues to froth at the mouth at the man Republicans are nearly certain to nominate.

What all this adds up to is that American politics has become "unstuck" in a big big way. This election may be one of the very few that re-writes the map of American politics, and bequeaths to us a new political calculus which we will be living with for some time. Roosevelt's New Deal did this, and held sway until the Reagan Revolution in 1980 when the Republicans joined with the evangelicals to take the South and the West, and that is the disaster we have been living with ever since.

Viewed in this light, Obama represents an effort to make a new majority coalition, while Clinton represents an effort to squeeze one last victory out of the machine her husband built. This is why I think that when Obama says that the Democrats have a choice between the past and the future, there is real substance to the rhetoric.

A Lot a little too Late?

Laz — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:22:03 EST

I'm what you call a political Junkie...I joined on facebook a million strong for Obama before I think I ever heard him speak and he was still 30 points behind Hillary. And how we came so fast so soon! But then again I can't won't in the primary I'm not American. I was born in England and live now in Canada. But I find his message inspiring and as our former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau said:

“Canada is a country whose main exports are hockey players and cold fronts. Our main imports are baseball players and acid rain.”

“Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.”

But that's him being cynical...And right now boy is he right...We're doing our best not to be sucked into this whirl pool of recession, and are deeply affected by the US war in Afghanistan and Iraq...We lose a few soldiers a week and for us that is a huge deal. For Americans you don't even say the names of the dead. We televise the funerals here. And we are pissed of that Bush left us holding the bag there while he went around to Iraq. "He tried to kill my daddy!"

But enough griping...It's all going to be different right...I hear Hillary is turning into Mitt Romney and bankrolling her campaign. I'm legally unable to donate any money but if I could I would... I'd really like an Obama shirt though. That is my new goal of the month.

I'll go into my little analysis of Super Tuesday...Some say it is a dissapointment and In a way it is...I bet if there were no Absentee ballots Obama would have come out with 50 more delegates than Hillary. We have the momentum now and I think we should never forget where we come from. Never forget the struggle and never stop battling till the very end.

But it is not my fight, I wish I was but I really should just shovel the snow. Cheers from your neighbour to the north

endorsements and super delegates

bharath — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:41:36 EST

Super delegates come from national party machine and nationally elected officials. According to one theory, Hillary Clinton's success in MA, against endorsements by Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and the Gov KilPatrik is attributable to the support from local officials that Bill Clinton had built up over a long time.

It appears that on one front Obama has to get super delegates, especially senators' and governors' endoresements to get those delegate votes. But for a strong showing locally he has to actively seek out mayors and local officals who carry enormous weight and political machine behind them.

Although, in Missouri, I think McCaskill and Carnahan did make a difference.

Media is already framing the Feb 5th primaries as Clinton won in the blue states. Hardly. She led by a less than 10% margin. While Obama really won in the red states by a huge margin.

"Dream Ticket" a Nightmare for Obama Supporters

Jack Nolan — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:18:37 EST

From the inception of her campaign, Hillary Clinton has offered "Two for One". Unable to run on her own merits, she has based her campaign on her husband's Presidency.

And now that "Two for One" isn't even enough to propel her into office, she's now running under the guise of "Three for One." Vote for me, she implies, and Obama will come on board.

So why has Obama allowed her to run with that? How many votes did it cost him on Super Tuesday?

Polls have consistently shown that Hillary can not defeat McCain.

So how does Obama free himself from this issue, while continuing his message as the man who can unify this country and bring everyone together?

Quite simply - Hillary is itching for a fight. While Obama consistently speaks of reaching across the aisle, we hear the exact opposite from the Hillary camp.

It's all about beating back the right wing conspiracy. Her husband beat them at their own game twice - and by golly geez, he'll help her do it again. Fight fight fight! We'll teach them to mess with us!

We're sick of the fighting, sick of the partisan bickering and endless drama.

And I can't even donate to the Obama campaign - for fear that, given a "Dream Ticket", my money might eventually be siphoned to the Clinton campaign.

Obama has always been honest and straightforward with us so far. I'm obviously not seasoned enough to understand the various political implications of such a move -

But I do wish Obama would formally divorce himself from the combative, polarizing and hateful Clinton machine.

And I don't see how delaying that announcement is helping the movement.

Hillary probably received a great number more votes on Tuesday, given her supporters hopes for a "Dream Ticket" - vote for me, Hillary implies, and I'll deliver Obama and his supporters, too!

Sadly, before we can make a choice - Obama must make his own.

I will not support or stand for anything that might benefit the Clintons. They are the great dividers, and gleefully admit that mud-slinging is the "fun part" of campaigning.

In Obama I trust - in Hillary, I see nothing but self-serving deceit.

Obama Wins Majority of States AND Delegates!

DoctorTodd — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:24:27 EST

Obama Claims Delegate Lead

by Mike Allen

In a surprise twist after a chaotic Super Tuesday, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) passed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) in network tallies of the number of delegates the candidates racked up last night.

The Obama camp projects topping Clinton by nine delegates, 845 to 836.

NBC News, which is projecting delegates based on the Democratic Party’s complex formula, figures Obama will wind up with 840 to 849 delegates, versus 829 to 838 for Clinton.

Clinton was portrayed in many news accounts as the night’s big winner, but Obama’s campaign says he wound up with a higher total where it really counts - the delegates who will choose the party’s nominee at this summer’s Democratic convention.

With the delegate count still under way, NBC News said Obama appears to have won around 840 delegates in yesterday’s contests, while Clinton earned about 830 - “give or take a few,” Tim Russert, the network’s Washington bureau chief, said on the “Today” show.

The running totals for the two, which includes previous contests and the party officials known as “superdelegates,” are only about 70 delegates apart, Russert said.

The bottom line is that the two are virtually tied.

Obama won 13 states, some of them smaller, and Clinton won eight.

On Wednesday morning, the battle was on to shape public perceptions about Tuesday.

The Clinton campaign said it was crunching its delegate numbers but was not sure it was correct that Obama got more.

The Obama campaign sent an e-mailed statement titled: “Obama wins Super Tuesday by winning more states and more delegates.”

Campaign Manager David Plouffe said: “By winning a majority of delegates and a majority of the states, Barack Obama won an important Super Tuesday victory over Sen. Clinton in the closest thing we have to a national primary.”

“From Colorado and Utah in the West to Georgia and Alabama in the South to Sen. Clinton’s backyard in Connecticut, Obama showed that he can win the support of Americans of every race, gender and political party in every region of the country,” Plouffe said. “That’s why he’s on track to win Democratic nomination, and that’s why he’s the best candidate to defeat John McCain in November.”

The Obama campaign attached an Excel spreadsheet containing “state-by-state estimates of the pledged delegates we won last night, which total 845 for Obama and 836 for Clinton - bringing the to-date total of delegates to 908 for Obama, 884 for Clinton.”

More States, More Hope, More Change, and More Work to Do!

Brian Corr — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:17:42 EST

In just one week since South Carolina, we closed a national double-digit Clinton lead down to a nationwide tie. We are increasing our support among female voters and white males in even Southern states. Barack Obama won in 13 of the 21 states last night -- including many that had been pegged as certain for Clinton a few months ago: http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/demmap/index.html

As Barack said to us last night, "Our time has come...WE are the ones we are waiting for!" We had a very good night, and the primaries over the next few weeks would seem to favor Obama, not Hillary. Looking at the upcoming schedule, if we do our work Obama will win a majority of these contests, so keep it up:

Sat. Feb. 9
Louisiana Primary: 67 delegates
Nebraska Caucus: 31 delegates
Washington Caucus: 97 delegates
Virgin Islands/Other: 9 delegates

Sun Feb. 10
Maine Caucus: 34 delegates

Tue. Feb. 12
DC Primary: 37 delegates
Maryland Primary: 99 delegates
Virginia Primary: 101 delegates

Let's keep our momentum going, and work even harder with Barack to bring hope and change to our nation: Yes We Can!

The day after Tuesday

Herman Soto — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:49:13 EST

Well, it's wednesday and after looking at all the numbers from yesterday's historical events... WE DID IT!!!

Barack seems to have landed exactly where he wanted. Clinton, leading only by a few delegates, now has to endure through Obama's new wide open scheadule. We all know that his personal appearances are his best weapon for winning over voters, and now he has all the time in a world to go rally the next lineup of states.

Of course, it is still a tight race, but this is a now a race we can definitely win. A race, not determined by who you know or how much money you have, but by the voters and their reaction to you.

As Barack now travels across the country spending time with voters, we can begin to expect the same kind of surges we saw in Iowa and South Carolina directly following his appearances.

After everything was counted yesterday I believe Barack was only 1% behind Hillary when counted vote for vote.

1%.

Well, now we know.

Yes we can.

And YES WE WILL!

because WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!

Keep On Moving, Don't Stop...

Keibo — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:54:04 EST

I am more than moved; I am more than touched; I am more than elated; I am more than overjoyed. Barack Obama's impressive and monumental victories in several states in Super Tueday has us all "Fired Up and Ready to Go!" Not only do I and so many others support Obama because of his ability to bring about change, but it is also his ability to unite us all and work together to find solutions to the problems we face today and those we will face in the future. I am a Democrat, and I admit that I have a lot of respect for Hillary Clinton and her husband Bill Clinton. During Clinton's administration, there were some great things done. But this year, the bell for change has not stopped ringing- it continues to pull all of us- black, white, latino, asian, native american, and so many more to it's comforting tone. It is something we can't ignore. If we thought we saw "good" during the administration of Bill Clinton, get ready to see "Great" during the administration of Barack Obama. Obama doesn't want to do this alone; he doesn't want the power to change alone; he includes us all, and he knows that positive change comes as he's said many times before- from the bottom up, not from the top- down. Barack Obama has the drive, the courage, the leadership, the vitality, the knowledge, the charisma, and the wisdom to take us all to a new frontier, a better frontier. Notice the key word: "all." I may be a democrat and feel that the ideals and values of my life are more aligned with a democratic way, but I am not ignorant to the fact that though some of us may be republican, independent, or undecided, we "all" have a role to play in the make-up of our futures and the futures of our children. Barack Obama understands this, and has never let go of this fundamental point. Never once did Barack Obama say "Yes I Can," but rather continues to say, "Yes We Can," and he does it with thousands and thousands of supporters that cheer the same revitalizing phrase. I support Barack Obama, and I know that he will do great things with healthcare, the economy, our national security, our relationships with other countries, our elderly, our children, the homeless, the forgotten military veterans, and so much more. We can all do it together, one day at a time, standing with Barack Obama. So to Barack Obama, and all those that believe in the power of positive change, and what we can all acomplish together, hold your heads up high, have your voices heard, and shout out loud, "Yes We Can!"

PHONE BANKING FOR SENATOR OBAMA-NASHVILLE,TENNESSEE

Clarise Mason — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:49:04 EST

The Most Beautiful Sound! Over 50 people making calls in the same room to GOTV

(Get Out The Vote).

Our Work Has Just Begun!!!

DaveNY1979 — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:03:52 EST

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to drop my own personal two cents of thanks for everyone who worked so hard here in New York to close the gap with Clinton -- a big reason we're able to claim more delegates across the nation from last night!

But I also wanted to remind all of you that our work has just begun! The Obama campaign is going to need continued fundraising in order to compete in the remaining states. Also, some very big prizes are still up for grabs -- and right in our backyard! Next Tuesday sees Maryland, DC, and Virginia vote -- all potentially very strong states for Barack. Best of all, round trip bus fare there costs under $40 from NYC!!! So let's try to get some groups together to go down there and volunteer!

Pennsylvania is also coming up soon -- so let's see what we can do there! As James Carville once said, Pennsylvania is "Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Alabama in between." But we all know who won Alabama last night!!! So let's make sure that's another win, and a big bunch of delegates for the best candidate in the race!

Finally, you'll note how much progress we were able to make over the past few weeks -- even in states with seemingly unsurmountable obstacles. Look also at how OVERWHELMING Obama's victories in caucus states were. This, to me, is the strongest evidence that our work as volunteers -- getting the word out to our friends, families, co-workers, neighbors, and even strangers on the street -- is THE biggest difference-maker we have.

So keep up the great work. No one ever said it was going to be easy. But together, YES WE CAN!

-Dave Silverstone

NYC

Barack Obama’s Feb. 5 Speech

N. Julio Barthson - E-Campaign Leader — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:22:16 EST

The following is a transcript of Senator Barack Obama’s speech to supporters after the Feb. 5 nominating contests, as provided by Federal News Service. Published: February 5, 2008

Total Votes - Obama Leads Super Tuesday

Eric Solomon (Hawkeye) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:30:35 EST

Total votes cast (counted so far) from super tuesdayAs of Wednesday morning......Obama leads Clinton by over 140 thousand votes 7,293,887 to 7,152,410

The Day After

Eric Solomon (Hawkeye) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:08:46 EST

What a night!

After a few hours of rest and some time to let it sink in, I feel that Obama is now set up very favorably over the next 3 weeks. I just figured the math for New Mexico, Obama will win the popular vote by less than a thousand votes to give him 14 wins last night! If things hold up that means that we have several good talking points today...

1- we won the most delegates last night

2- we won 14 states to HRC's 8, that's almost 2 to 1.

3- we won Illinois by a far bigger margin than HRC won NY

4- we won MO and Ct, both surprises

5- the national media is already conceding that BO is winning A LOT of white votes(45%) so say adios to the Jessie Jackson comparisons

6- a respectable increase in Latino support, pushing 40%

7- most importantly, between today and February 19th there are 9 primaries and caucuses of which I can easily see Obama winning 8, who knows about Virginia.

I have read that HRC possibly does not plan to compete in these states and she is calling for a debate every week, THAT IS NOT A FRONT RUNNER!!! I think BO needs to do a "Where's Hillary" speech if that is the case.

Hillary is going to say she leads in the overall delegate count, true, but after the next 9 contests BO should be even or ahead. She will say she won CA and NY and won more delegates in 2 of the states that BO won the popular vote, but remember NV!! The next few days HRC is going to try to say that the sky is red and that grass isn't green but they will say ANYTHING, they are shameless, the will say whatever they have to say to try to distract and mislead. Obama needs to make sure these next 9 victories mean what they should and stay on message.

My friend Shawn brought up a good point that that was raised by Joe Trippie (Edwards guy) that BO needs to stress HRC as the "status quo".

I think it is important for BO to get a hold of the expectations game, we can NOT let HRC get away with losing 9 primaries over the next 2 weeks and have the media say that doesn't matter, Shawn and myself bested the national media last night when we figured out Barack did not lose Missouri 2 hours before MSNBC, CNN, or PravdaFox News even talked about it. AP called MO and we were like WHOA!, wait a second, we did some math using CNN's website and a couple of .99 cent calculators! As Steven Colbert would say WE CALLED IT!

I am going to get some coffee.....the next primaries are in 3 days!!!

PASS IT ON! 48 Hour Online Fundraiser for Obama

Inspired Voter — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:24:52 EST

PASS ALONG, EMAIL OR REPOST IN YOUR OWN GROUPS.
Yes We Can! 48 Hour Fundraiser!

Let's show that Barack Obama's supporters are more determined than ever!

The buzz is all around that supporters want to help keep the campaign going and we are emboldened by Super Obama Tuesday results. This 48 Hour Fundraiser can help us take charge and see the results of our efforts!

HOW MUCH CAN WE RAISE IN 48 HOURS?
START: Wednesday Feb. 6, 2008 at 9am PT / 12pm ET
END: Friday Feb 8, 2008 at 9am PT / 12pm ET

READY. SET. DONATE!
No amount is too small. Just Click the DONATE button at right.
PASS THE LINK ALONG AND SHOW WHAT WE CAN DO!

GO TO: http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/sfo

OR CLICK THIS LINK!

Make a donation, even a small one. Invite your friends. Let's see how much we can raise!

The supporters of Barack Obama are committed to changing the political process by building a campaign built on a broad base of support from ordinary Americans.

We've set a fundraising goal for the campaign, which you can see in the thermometer at the donate links.

Contribute Now

**This fundraiser is created by inspired voters & supporters like YOU!

SupercaliOBAMAlistic Tueday!!!!

Jack Tracey, Another Veteran for Obama — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:54:15 EST

Wow! What an impressive showing, both in the number of states won and in the total vote! The momentum continues to run in favor of Barack Obama as we head toward the rest of the February and March contests!

While I was diappointed that Clinton won California and my birth state, Massachusetts, I am heartened by the closeness of the California race, after early returns showed Barack running 33-35%. It is unfortunate that women seem to vote for Billary just because she is a woman -- wonder if they'd vote for Condi Rice if she were running?

The weeks ahead will be crucial, as will some policy work on economics, which unfortunately seems to be in the forefront of voter concerns these days. But I'm confident that Barack Obama will continue to build momentum as we move forward!

As a Vietnam Veteran, the Iraq war remains the top concern for me, along with the shoddy treatment of returning veterans. The policies of the Bush administration and Republicants cannot be continued!

Yes, WE CAN!!!!

It's Hard to Run Against a Movement

Kevin Triskett — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:39:13 EST

The positive energy surrounding Senator Obama's campaign should be at an all-time high right now. It may not have been a clean sweep of Super Tuesday states for Obama, but his viability as a candidate was solidified, and I think Senator Clinton's can certainly be questioned. Clinton scored victories in New York, New Jersey, Massachusettes, and California. Aside from New Jersey, those states will almost always vote Democrat in Presidential elections, regardless of the candidate. Senator Obama, on the other hand, won a wide array of states, including Republican stronghold states, Georgia, Alabama, and Colorado, strongly Democratic states, Illinois and Connecticut, and perhaps the most important bellweather state, Missouri. These results, coupled with the fact that Senator John McCain had a tough time in traditionally Republican states, prove that Senator Obama has a realistic chance to win not only the Democratic nomination, but to defeat Senator McCain in a Presidential election. Perhaps the biggest question mark at this point is Senator Obama's ability to win Latino votes. This may hurt dearly in the California delegate count and Texas in the coming weeks, but the fact that Senator Obama was able to turn the female vote and the white male vote in many of his Super Tuesday wins may outweigh this concern. The more I read, the more I hear, the more I am convinced this is actually going to happen. As long as the donations keep coming and Senator Obama has a chance to campaign and compete in the next wave of states, this movement will not slow down. Hillary Clinton was put on notice yesterday, and her lack of resources, lack of grassroots power, and, especially, her lack of genuine spirit will lead to Barack Obama ticket for the Democratic party.

PASS IT ON! 48 Hour Online Fundraiser for Obama

Inspired Voter — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:28:05 EST

PASS ALONG, EMAIL OR REPOST IN YOUR OWN GROUPS.
Yes We Can! 48 Hour Fundraiser!

Let's show that Barack Obama's supporters are more determined than ever!

HOW MUCH CAN WE RAISE IN 48 HOURS?
START: Wednesday Feb. 6, 2008 at 9am PT / 12pm ET
END: Friday Feb 8, 2008 at 9am PT / 12pm ET

READY. SET. DONATE!
No amount is too small. Just Click the DONATE button at right.
PASS THE LINK ALONG AND SHOW WHAT WE CAN DO!

GO TO: http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/sfo

OR CLICK THIS LINK!

Make a donation, even a small one. Invite your friends. Let's see how much we can raise!

The supporters of Barack Obama are committed to changing the political process by building a campaign built on a broad base of support from ordinary Americans.

We've set a fundraising goal for the campaign, which you can see in the thermometer at the donate links.

Contribute Now

**This fundraiser is created by inspired voters & supporters like YOU!

From the West, to the Southeast, and even in Clinton's backyard - Barack Obama won Super Tuesday

Chris Schultz of "Green is Good" — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:22:46 EST

From Sam Graham Felson's blog:

Barack Obama won a clear majority of the Super Tuesday states...

In the closest thing to a national primary we’ve ever seen, Barack Obama overcame double-digit leads by Senator Clinton in 8 of the largest 10 states to win a majority of states, defeating Senator Clinton 13-8 – with New Mexico still undeclared.

Obama also won Red States by a margin of more than two-to-one and leads Senator Clinton by nearly 50 delegates going into California.

Obama won his home state by 67 delegates (110-43; 153 total). Clinton won her home state by 52 delegates (142-90; 232 total). Among home states, Obama won a net delegate margin of 15. That’s a good number – but even more impressive when you consider that New York had 79 more delegates up for grabs than Illinois.

Barack Obama performed especially well in those states he visited in recent weeks, including Minnesota, Utah, Idaho, Delaware, and Connecticut. He also won his home state by 67 delegates, 15 more than Senator Clinton won her home state of New York by. This is further proof that the more voters get to know Barack Obama and hear his message, the more they support him. And this bodes well for the contests coming in the next few weeks, where Obama will have more time to campaign aggressively in individual states.

Of the seven caucus states that were decided tonight, Obama won six (New Mexico is still undeclared). Caucuses test the enthusiasm of supporters in a way that primaries do not. And Obama’s near-sweep of these contests shows why he’s the candidate who’s generating the most excitement in this race and bringing new people into politics for the first time.

Barack Obama won the support of Americans of every race and gender in every region of the country. From Hillary Clinton’s backyard in Connecticut to Georgia, where Obama won nearly 40% of the white vote and eliminated the gender gap by winning 64% of the women’s vote, Obama demonstrated that he’s the one candidate who can transform the electoral map. That’s why he is the Democrat who’s most likely to win in November.

A Super Tuesday, Indeed!

DoctorTodd — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:33:25 EST

What a great day! Barack Obama won 14 of the 22 states up for grabs (assuming New Mexico is called for Obama...he's up 49-48 percent with 93% of precincts reporting). The delegates are still being apportioned, and Obama and Clinton are splitting them almost dead even...who would have expected that even two weeks ago?

And, most important, Obama won all the KEY swing states: Minnesota, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico...states whose votes that were so evenly split between Republicans and Democrats in 2004. Obama also won most of the states won by Romney...think about this: Obama won the states where McCain didn't win. This is HUGE for the fall, and is further evidence of Obama's superiority over Clinton when it comes to electability in November.

She won in California, New York, and Massachusetts...and she deserves congratulations for these victories. But you know what? These states will go Democrat in November no matter the nominee...we didn't need to worry about these states. We need to worry about Iowa (Obama), Minnesota (Obama), Wisconsin (Obama polling ahead), Missouri (Obama), New Mexico (Obama), Colorado (Obama), Virginia (Obama polling ahead), Ohio and Florida.

February looks like a GREAT month for Obama...EVERY state voting hereafter this month looks like a probable victory for Obama. But NOTHING can be taken for granted...we need to keep working hard, because the road ahead is still long. But as of today it looks like it leads to the nomination, if we keep on it!

What next after Super Tuesday?

Laura Roslin — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:07:16 EST

Ralph Brauer has analysis of Super Tuesday and says what the Obama campaign needs to do next. Brauer points out that the media is out of touch and is focusing too much on the middle class instead of the poor.To win the nomination, Obama must turn out more of the non voting, people of color and especially the hispanic vote. Brauer tells how.

It was a Great Night!

Tony Milillo — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:48:15 EST

We work harder, we party harder, and we yell louder because we care more. We lead in passion, and before this is over we will lead in delegates! What a great group of people we have in the Capital District! Anton, Dustin, you guys are amazing. Let's keep it going all the way to DENVER! YES WE CAN!!!

Wow. That Was Fun

Dr. Mark Elrod — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:31:42 EST

I got everything I wanted out of Super Tuesday.

I spent about four hours watching the returns with 40 or so Barrack Obama supporter, cheering every state that went for Obama with the kind of enthusiasm that Harding University students normally reserve for the Rhodes Field House.

I wish we could have finished the evening by cheering the results from Missouri together but we victimized by another unusual feature of our campus -- midnight curfew.

As far as I know, "Bisons for Obama" was the only political organization to hold a watch party on campus last night. If you don't think that's a little weird, you don't know the Harding demographic. But as I've said on several occasions over the last few weeks, there's a shift in partisanship here that is noteworthy.

But don't get too excited -- I'm the sponsor and I was the only faculty member who was there.

More importantly, I'm encouraged by the results from last night. According to MSNBC this morning, the current delegate count stands at 1140-1150 for Hillary Clinton and 1070-1080 for Barack Obama. This weekend, the race moves to the caucus states of Washington, Nebraska and Maine where Obama should do well and Louisiana holds its primary on Tuesday.

I think things are looking good, particularly in terms of money and momentum for Obama.

Congratulations to Todd for winning the "Hillary share of the Arkansas vote" poll. Todd predicted 64% for HRC and the actual tally looks to be about 72%. This may come down through the day -- the Arkansas count has been complicated by bad weather and power outages.

Looks like I finished second with 62%.

Dispatches from Abroad on Super Tuesday

EDB — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:27:09 EST

As mentioned earlier, I am often an unofficial ambassador for the Barack Obama campaign for my foreign and expatriate friends. Here's how I answered a question on the Barack vs. Hillary on Super Tuesday:

Hillary had the advantage there because of name recognition, early balloting, and early commitments from the democratic machines that owed her favors. She's also locked the over-60 vote. Look at the stats - Barack is doing increasingly well with every demographic except old people. Barack did better in "red states," places where he was able to personally campaign (Go, Idaho!), and caucus countries where grassroots organization counts.
The compacted schedule was supposed to give Hillary a coronation - remember it was set up by Terry McAuliffe, who was once chair of the national committee but now chair of her campaign. Their plan to fix the race didn't work.Hillary is scared to death of Barack. Once people get to know him or have the chance to listen to him, they like him better. Hands down.
Yeah, it's going to be a tough race, but it's a testament to Barack's message and organization that it's a race at all.

Why Sen. Clinton Wants to Debate Obama More ...

Scott A. Giordano — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:59:51 EST

The more time he spends preparing for debates, the less time on the campaign trail. ...

Congrats!

Angel — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:33:22 EST

Just simply a shout out to Senator Obama to say, THANK YOU and WAY TO GO!

There is an enormous gratitude for the commitment and sacrifice of the Obama family; my family truly appreciates all of your efforts to bring out the best in all Americans.

Because of you it was a Super Tuesday, for us all.

♥♥♥ We Love you Barack, Michelle, and the little ladies ♥♥♥
I Feel Change...

Yes we can; sí se puede

Reza Javid — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:53:43 EST

Super Tuesday is now almost over, with only New Mexico left for the Democratic side to be counted. It started with joy and optimism when Georgia and Illinois were won but it proved to be very harder a competition than most of the predictions channels had predicted.

Afternath = New Opprotunities

Patch — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:38:14 EST

Super Tuesday is behind us. The end result is clear. Senator Obama and Senator Clinton are a dead-lock at worst and Senator Obama's movement is on the rise.

We know one more thing: We start anew on Wednesday.

Washington state will need help as they prepare for their first Caucus vote this Saturday on the 9th. Oregonians need to contact their friends in the North and pool their resources to help get the vote out.

If you have time to drive up, find a precinct captain that's looking for help knocking on doors. As we now live in a TiVo-loving, ad-zapping market, ad campaigns are peanuts next to good, old-fashioned door-knock-based canvassing.

Phonebank from home across Washington. Contact the local groups up North. Call friends in Idaho and thank them for their overwhelming support from the East

Dispair is not the basis of this movement. The numbers will clear up in a few days, and matter as much then as they do today: Not a lot.

In this aftermath, after attending two group events across town in a non-Super Tuesday state, I can safely say that this is only just getting started.

We have the best candidate.

We have the best organization.

We have the momentum.

We have the majority of grassroots funding.

We can do this!

YES WE CAN!

Aftermath. Afterthoughts.

Vanessa — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:27:33 EST

Looking at the primary results after Super Tuesday, it appears that despite Hillary's big-state wins, Barack has 476 pledged delegates to her 496. So close! I am more excited than ever.

When it comes to the superdelegates, however, he's down 87. This is not so huge considering that so many have yet to pledge their support; here in Washington State, out of 17, five have endorsed
Clinton, and two have endorsed Obama.

I plan to write them and talk up Sen. Obama, his campaign, and his supporters (without mentioning Sen. Clinton explicitly).

These are the unaligned superdelegates in WA:

A quick take of Super Tuesday from California's Democratic primary

Jose Luis — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:54:31 EST

The race continues. Clinton did not get crowned, and Obama is very much in it — with momentum on his side.

Even though Clinton is projected to win the state, the delegate split is still very much in the air as the final tallies in key areas of the state are counted. It's quite possible Obama will get a significant chunk of California delegates, especially from congressional districts in the urban Bay Area, and certain parts of Southern and Central coastal California.

The main conclusion I can draw from Obama's appeal is this: he is the most electable of the two Democratic candidates. His appeal grows by the day, excitement becoming a fuel in itself. He is viewed as unifying and, on an unspoken level, more trustworthy than Clinton. He has drawn voters from urban and rural areas. Red states and blue states. South and Midwest. Independents and Republicans. Have you heard the term "Obama Republican" yet? Get ready.

Keys to the next few weeks:

• Clinton especially will want to debate. She is eager to frame the larger debate, the issues, and put Obama on the defensive. She's ready to play ball, and likely play very dirty (either directly or through her surrogates, attack dogs, and through the careful placement of whispers and distortion). Obama must put down these fires, but not allow them to dictate the debate.

• Set the frames of the debate. As George Lakoff would put it, the frames are key. Obama must establish these frames on his terms: demonstrated judgement/wisdom on Iraq, willingness to change "politics as usual," "straight talk" on the hard issues (telling the uncomfortable truths on the economy, the long-term implications of war in Iraq, show the spotlight on those who use immigration and immigrants as scapegoats, all while defining a solution to this issue), and character or ability to raise the level of discourse. He has to debate but also rise above the dirty play (what Michelle Obama called politics as "sport," in an interview last week with Soledad O'Brien).

• Reach out to independents and Republicans. Do this by raising the discourse away from "politics as usual." This has tremendous appeal to young voters as well, who really want to believe.

• Aggressively reach out to Latino voters in key areas. This means increased grassroots activities, town halls in Latino communities, and advertising on Spanish-language radio and TV and in carefully placed op-eds.

More to come... In the meantime, Obama has much to celebrate tonight.

Funny Super Tuesday Story

Bill M. — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:29:13 EST

I was headset on voting for Barack in today's primary in Arizona. I left work, drove cross-town (13 miles) to today's polling place in Tucson rush hour traffic, parked and reached in the car's glovebox for my wallet. Supreme moment of panic! I left my wallet in my office desk drawer where I had placed my wallet after lunch. (I even have a little note on my office back door, "Don't forget wallet!")

OK, moment for a decision! I had just spent close to 35 minutes driving cross town and it was now 5:55pm and the poll closed at 7pm. No doubt in my mind (that was seething with anger) - drive back to work, retrieve the wallet, drive cross town to polling place and vote before 7pm.

MSNBC's Chuck Todd declares a delegate draw.

CJC — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:48:58 EST

Chuck Todd of MSNBC did some very detailed analysis of the delegate counts for today's Super Tuesday Democratic primary. He surmised that the delegate total coming out of Super Tuesday will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 841 for Obama, 837 for Clinton. (A candidate needs 2025 delegates to win the Democratic nomination.)

So basically we have another draw on our hands. This is far from over!

Congratulations Colorado!

Jason Wells — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:13:12 EST

WE DID IT!

Bigs wins tonight in the North East, South, Midwest, and West! This is national movement that is only getting stronger.

If you know people who live the upcoming states, be sure to reach out and encourage them to vote. This is going to go down to the conventio, so lets bring Obama back on top!

Analysis and Suggestions for a New Strategy Post-Super Tuesday

EMK — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:01:30 EST

I was watching the two-hour CBS special this evening, and the good news is Obama is winning more states; but, the bad news, he is not winning more delegates. As I said on my previous blog, WARNING: Hillary DID Score Points; Analysis and Strategy Suggestions, Obama needs to handily win CA and:

What can Obama do now, other than handidly winning CA? In states like IL and GA, he'll need to win by a large margin (~15-20%), and he'll need to win a large majority states like AL, MN, etc. Furthermore, in states like AZ, NY, and NJ, if he loses, he needs to keep the margin low, like the NH primary, or find a way win more delegates district by district, like the NV caucuses. (I'll leave it to other blogs about the controversies concerning NH and NV).

From what seems to be happening, and they may vary by what station you use (I'm using CBS this time, from around 11:00 p.m.), Obama is winning GA and IL handily, but in states like NY, NJ, and MA, he's losing by 2:1 margins, and in states like DE, CT, AZ, NM, and others, he's either winning with an even proportion, or losing by a 2:1, 3:1, or even 4:1 margins, by delegate counts, so it's negating the number of states that he is winning!

According to CBS, the main reasons for Hillary's wins and margins are that female voters, especially older, non-African American, and all ages of Hispanic/Latino women are voting for Hillary. Obama's main supporters are coming from Edward's caucasian male votes moving to Obama, as well as non-Hispanic/Latino young voters.

What concerns me are that two endorsements that Obama needs, Richardson and Edwards, may go to Hillary. Richardson is more likely to endorse Hillary because of his involvement in the Clinton cabinet, and Hillary's support among Hispanic/Latino voters. However, Edwards is more of a toss-up. Age wise and experience wise (Senate), he is more like Hillary, but his life experience and platforms are more similar to Obama. And, Edwards was more comfortable and cordial towards Obama during the three-man debates.

What about Al Gore? I'm suspecting that he may be waiting until the Democratic Nomination is settled before he sets up an exploratory committee, as well as watching the developments with Bloomberg and Nader. This is my personal opinion, though.

Obama's next steps?

What he is doing now has been what is helping him get to this point. What he must do now with this is to blend substance with style in his ads, and make sure he rotates his issues-related ads throughout the day in every state.
Reach out to the female voters next. The next few primaries and caucuses can reset his momentum. Ideally, Michelle Obama's involvement could be a strong asset right now, but unlike Hillary's daughter Chelsea, who is on her own, the Obama daughters are still school-age, and it would be unfair to put more pressure on Michelle Obama to do more in this situation. What may be more helpful is to have more women, particularly Hispanic/Latino women from IL (explanation on the next point), to aide Obama in states where the female vote are still critical. Furthermore, Obama needs to find a way to dispel the conception, "A vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote for women, and thus, is a vote for change." (I disagree with that conception wholeheartedly). Unfortunately, an ad where Michelle Obama telling the tale is best, but a second bet is to explain what he has done for women and let the women he has helped explain why a vote for Obama is a vote for all women as well as a vote for change. Even a live national town hall (similar to MTV's version, and more authentic than Hillary's Hallmark special) could be more helpful.
Bring out as many Hispanic/Latino supporters from IL, as well as their friends and family from primary/caucus states still undecided. Whatever issues Hispanics/Latinos have with Obama, or whatever uncertainty concerning the name recognition for Obama, can be ameliorated when he can show them who he is and that he can be more helpful to their needs than Hillary. Additionally, it is crucial that Obama holds live, interactive town halls with them.
Finally, he needs to make sure that every close, contested, or potentially controversial primary or caucus is investigated. He might have won some of those tight races. Remember what happened to Al Gore with FL? John Kerry with OH? Where are we now?

Also if we can, should we write to John Edwards a letter encouraging him to endorse Obama? That may help close the delegate gap.

As I have said on several posts and emails, if Obama does not win the DNC nomination (And personally, a Hillary-Obama ticket could be a loss for Obama on any future presidential bids, and it could make him feel disillusioned on change.), I will not vote in the general election if Obama does not run as an independent or Al Gore runs as an independent (I do think it would be okay for a Gore-Obama ticket, it might be helpful for Obama and vice-versa since it may be a mutual healing for both candidates). I might even consider Nader (insert scary music here).

Okay, I hope that covers everything I needed to say for this post.

Thank you,

EMK

Barack Obama Wins a Handful on Super Tuesday

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:50:10 EST

The amazing news has come forth from the results on Super Tuesday. Barack Obama has won in thirteen states, which includes Illinois. Here is the breakdown of the Super Tuesday results.

Here is the statement from Campaign Manager David Plouffe:

By winning a majority of delegates and a majority of the states, Barack Obama won an important Super Tuesday victory over Senator Clinton in the closest thing we have to a national primary. From Colorado and Utah in the west to Georgia and Alabama in the south to Senator Clinton’s backyard in Connecticut, Obama showed that he can win the support of Americans of every race, gender, and political party in every region of the country. That’s why he’s on track to win Democratic nomination, and that’s why he’s the best candidate to defeat John McCain in November.

Also, you can watch Senator Obama's Super Tuesday speech in Chicago.

Additionally, here is his message:

The votes will be counted into the night and into tomorrow, but today we won states and we won delegates in every part of the country.
As of right now, we have won more states and delegates than Senator Clinton. It's a remarkable achievement we can all be proud of.
Tonight, we know one thing for sure -- our time has come, our movement is real, and change is coming to America.
At this moment in history, the stakes are too high and the challenges too great to play the same Washington game with the same Washington players and expect a different result.
This time must be different.
There will be those who say it cannot be done. But we know what we have seen and what we believe -- that when ordinary people come together we can still do extraordinary things.
Yes, we can.
Thank you so much,
Barack

Thank you to Barack Obama and everyone who have made this happen.

What the Heck?!?!

N. Julio Barthson - E-Campaign Leader — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:46:31 EST

How on earth could they have called Missouri for Hillary Clinton and written analytical articles when the votes were not yet counted? Anyway... Interesting for us to remember in the future about how close this election was, and how the "pundits" so often got it wrong.

Super Tuesday in Georgia

Clotee from Stone Mountain, GA — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:30:24 EST

Today I voted for Barack Obama. I have never been this excited about voting. The source of the excitement began when I realized this is the first time I "wanted" to vote. It wasn't just a civic duty. I felt my vote would endorse a candidate with a distinctive unique brand. One that would move away from divisive party politics. A candidate who unites people and addresses problems with the intent of developing permanent solutions. When I placed the x by Barack Obama and the confirmation screen displayed "Barack Obama for President of the United States" I felt so-o-oo good! Yeah!! I even looked over my shoulder for a printer....I wanted a screen print. I thought about growing up with my grandparents in Hattiesburg MS and their struggles for the right to vote and to end discrimination. I thought about the civil rights leaders in my church whose home was bombed in the middle of the night. I thought about how determined and focused that generation of African Americans were - they kept their eyes on the prize. They never gave up hope and like Obama they always said 'Yes, we can'. I have inherited their hopes and their dreams and carry them in my spirit. Their strength runs in my blood. Today when I voted, I voted for them -my past; and I voted for me - my future. I hope my vote provides Obama the opportunity to change the face of politics in the US today. Obama is an intelligent thinker, a great debater, an inspiring leader, a visionary, and a man who knows his purpose- a purpose ordained by God. Imagine him as President. It would change the way we view ourselves...it would change the world!

It's gotta come from their socks!

Annalee — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:24:50 EST

Senator Obama's speech to supporters in Chicago just ended. Good lord, that man can give a speech. Sam Seaborn would be proud of him, because when people stand up to clap for Senator Obama, it really does come from their socks.

It's too late at night and way too warm in this room for me to try to deconstruct what he said, but it just worked on every level. I'd like to buy his speechwriters a round sometime on the off chance that their awesome is contageous.

I'm one of those frightened cynics you talked about in your speech tonight, Senator. I'm struggling to let hope light my way out of fear and doubt. Thank you for shining your light in the face of cynics and doubters like me. Thank you for standing up and saying "Yes, We Can." Thank you for bringing a message of change that even I can believe in.

On Super Tuesday Barack Obama = Hope

Rev. Chuck Currie — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:14:42 EST

Sitting down last year and reading about each of the candidates running for president it impressed me that I found much to agree with from candidates on both sides of the aisles. For example, conservative evangelicals – represented well by Gov. Huckabee in this race – have been some of the most prominent advocates for actions to end the genocide in Darfur. John McCain has been one of the most important voices on campaign finance reform. On the democratic side, all of the candidates are people voters can be proud of.

Barack Obama, however, stood out above them all. We share a common faith, yes, but we also share a common vision for America. Senator Obama wants to restore this nation and to give hope to all those who feel left out of the American dream. He wants to fight global warming so that our children will not grow up in a world in peril. He wants to create opportunities that lift people out of poverty. He wants to extend health care coverage for all those who have no coverage. And he wants to end the war. No other candidate comes close to his experience and his passion. His campaign is unifying the American people while campaigns waged by old-style politicians are tearing at the fabric of our nation. Barack Obama is a different kind of politician. He is a man of deep values and solid ethics. He’ll make a different kind of president. I’m honored to be a supporter. Join the campaign today.

- The Rev. Chuck Currie

Super Tuesday Anxiety

Cliff Sharples — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:59:55 EST

Watching the returns, as I am sure everyone here is... Glad to see that Obama will accomplish what he has set out to do today... but as I look at county results, I am struck by the fact that the Democratic Party Establishment just can not learn from their own mistakes. They are not realizing the incredible opportunity that is here with Barack as the Democratic candidate... Why can't they see that with Hillary Clinton, they will ONLY get the democrats that are party loyalists. With Barack Obama, they get would add independents, moderate Republicans and Democrats who would never vote for Hillary Clinton.

Let's ALL work very hard in the next 2 weeks to keep up the momentum of the last month and get more wins for Obama!

Back to the TV :-)

Eastern Polls Closing As I Type

Annalee — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:39:20 EST

The Super Tuesday States in Eastern time just closed, and I'm in the TV lounge over my college's coffee shop watching the results come in. I've got a friend with me and several others slated to arrive-- I also put up a listing on the events section of the my.barackobama.com community, so it's possible we'll get some new faces.

I'm having flashbacks to the 2000 Bush vs. Gore election--the first I was old enough to be aware of in any significant way (I was in ninth grade). I remember CNN on mute in all of my classes the day afterwards-- the big letters flashing at the bottom of the screen announcing that Florida was still TOO CLOSE TO CALL. The situation now isn't at all analogous for several reasons--it's a primary, for one, and there hopefully isn't rampant election fraud, for another. But for me, the most significant dofference is the stakes. Gore's really made a name for himself as an environmentalist and a liberal activist in the time since 2000, but at the time, he was for me just 'the alternative to Bush.'

I certainly don't feel that way about Obama. I'm not supporting him because he's 'an alternative to Clinton.' I recognize that there are differences between the two of them, but I'd still consider a Clinton whitehouse a win. Obama has my support not because of what he isn't, but because of what he is: a optimistic visionary who has what it takes--not just to put America back on track, but to put us on a whole new set of tracks.

I hope you're all watching with good friends and high hopes tonight. Yes We Can!

SUPER TUESDAY!

Shannon — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:32:15 EST

As MSNBC put it: "Political junkies can sleep in July."

I don't know about everyone else, but I'm totally stoked. I have a strong feeling that tonight is going to be a vindication for all of those who have had to defend their support for Barack Obama against those who say he is too inexperienced, not as qualified, and who have waved their support for other candidates in our faces like so many banners.

I could be wrong. Then again, I called the 2006 midterm elections almost exactly. So, we'll see.

Keep a weather eye on the returns. I'll be with the Politics and Government department toasting the returns as they come in...(I may or may not be taking a short Mardi Gras-type break to the bar and raising one to the Obama campaign.)

More later; laissez les bons temps roulez!

Door Knobs Holders on the Mailbox

EMK — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:43:50 EST

I went to my local Obama headquarters this afternoon with 50+ door knob holders, and I stuck them on the mailbox in front of my house. (I think my neighborhood has a "no solicitation" policy, so that's why I could not stick them on every door on the neighborhood).

Voting this morning - Super Tuesday

Julia of the OC — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:41:37 EST

This morning I sat watching the Yes, We Can video with tears streaming down my cheeks.

Today for the first time in my life, at the age of 43, I am going to vote for a Black man to be the Democratic candidate for the presidency of the US.

I realize he is not the first Black man to run for president here. However it is the first time I have voted this way. Not because I was racist in the past, but because I believe in Barack as a person. The tears however are because he is Black. Because I believe FINALLY this country I love is moving past color and gender and towards the best candidate for the position.

I cried too because sure, music moves me in my soul and the Yes, We Can video is magically moving and awe inspiring. I cried in part also because he speaks so eloquently and intelligently. It has been a long drought when it comes to those traits in a US president. I've so missed that.

So I wiped my tears and pulled something warm on to keep my fibromyalgia muscles from getting ticked and joined my husband as we got in the car to drive down the street and vote. Vote together. My Dutch husband who now has US citizenship voting in his first Presidential Primary. God my eyes are welling up again. He takes this seriously. He studies the issues, the candidates and propositions. I love this man, not because he is also voting for Barack, but because he takes his citizenship within this country as an honor and participates fully in society. Voting for Barack too is cool. We cheer him on together now. Up until recently we still discussed options, issues, candidates. Now we have our candidate!

Our experience campaigning in the last presidential election still stings a bit. Horrible people here in Orange County screaming profanities and flipping us off as we campaigned at the Orange Circle for Kerry/Edwards and other locations and days. It happened over and over gain. Old men in mercedes, soccer moms driving hummers with their kids in the car. Fellow Americans who I would probably have given food and clothes too in a natural disaster but seemed to wish me dead because I didn't want to help reelect Bush. Dark days, dark times. Those memories will always sting. But Barack Obama is helping me to believe again. To be willing to stick my neck and opinions out there again and find hope in the process and the man.

We arrive at the school and are the first there! How cool is that. I am first in line to vote. I have to check the box to make sure it is empty and not stuffed with ballots and sign a ballot sheet as the polls are declared open. I felt extra special on this day that I cried about voting.

This day, this Super Tuesday. God it feels good to have hope again. I'm proud I voted. I'm proud of who I voted for. I am even proud that I had a choice to vote for a woman and hell a Mormon if I was so inclined and registered differently.

Perhaps that speaks the loudest at how much this country, my country is disgusted with the Bush. That a black, a woman and a mormon are on the ballot. Sounds like some lead in for a cheezy joke. But it isn't. We are past joking. White men are no longer the only option. Not that they are bad those white guys... hell I married one. But isn't it good to have options.

Here's wishing you all a Super Tuesday!

Live well,

Julia Ferguson Andriessen

Alright guys...today's the day

Tanna — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:03:16 EST

It's Super Tuesday. I have to admit, the race is much closer than I thought it would be. I'm already biting my nails and cussin everybody out. But I have to say, I think we got it. I think now is the time of the underdog. I mean, come on. The New York Giants just pulled out a STUNNER on the Patriots (did y'all see that game? did you SEE it?) and I think America is in the mood to defy expectations. I am effin amazed at the surge of support I have seen in the past few days for our guy. He has even pulled even in New Jersey polls, which is a state that I never thought he could capture due to it being all up in Hillary's backyard. I live in the South, and the support down here is crazy. It really tickles my balls. I don't see Hillary having any real chance in the south cause I'm telling you, homeboy is sellin like crack down here. I know Hillary's nuts are in a tangle about this..this...Obamaliciousness that's taking over the country. I don't want to call it too early, but then again our campaign is all about audacity and hope and the audacity OF hope...so I'm gonna say that we definitely beat Clinton's soggy ass in every state today by at least 20 points. YEEEEAAAAHHHHH BAYBAYYYYY!!!

Okay... so maybe that was a lil' over the top. I do, however, choose to take the path of hope and cautiously predict a victory in the majority of the states today. And I am definitely calling Cali for us. Peace.

Obama Out to Large Early Lead

Paul from Belleair Beach, FL — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:31:48 EST

I wrote yesterday to invite all of the Obama supporters to place a vote for Barack at http://drinksfoodandfun.blogspot.com/ Granted, there is still plenty of time to vote and the Hillary voters are starting to turn out, but I wonder if this tremendous support for Senator Obama is a sign of things to come...? Check out the results and place a vote if you haven't!

Super Tuesday

bwf — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:40:37 EST

It is imperative that each and every one of us get to the polls today and cast our vote. One vote really can make a difference. Only by exercising our right to vote can we as individuals create change. So if you live in the Northeast, grab your raincoat or your umbrella and head to the polls. And if there is a line at your polling place, so much the better! That means that voters are passionate about their choice of candidate.

Prayer for Obama #3

EMK — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:34:40 EST

God (s.t.),

Please open the minds and hearts of voters to Obama. Allow his message to inspire people to go out and vote for him. Show Obama the way to win the presdency and allow him to overcome whatever obstacles or deceptions he must face. You are wise and just in all affairs.

Ameen

Obama Wins in Indonesia

Kevin Florida — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:55:21 EST

My father, who lives in Indonesia, called me last night with the news that Barack Obama won amongst US Expatriates in Indonesia.

Here is a related story:

(CNN) -- Illinois Sen. Barack Obama won the first battle of the Super Tuesday showdown when Democratic Party voters in Indonesia -- where Obama spent four years of his childhood -- picked him over Sen. Hillary Clinton.

A girl walks past the school in Jakarta, Inodnesia, where Barack Obama attended as a boy.

Seventy five percent of the nearly 100 votes cast by expatriate Americans a minute after midnight Indonesia time (12 p.m. Monday EST) went to Obama. The rest were cast in favor of Clinton, said Arian Ardie, country committee chair for Democrats Abroad.

Ardie said he was not permitted to disclose the exact number of votes cast, and added that the results were preliminary and still need formal verification.

Ardie said that Obama's time in Indonesia was part of his appeal among expatriate voters in the southeast Asian country.

"I think it factored in to the extent they saw someone with strong international experience," he said. "But I don't think it was the primary factor."

The voting at a hotel in Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta was the first in-person casting of ballots in a coast-to-coast contest for Democratic and Republican presidential hopefuls Tuesday. Voters will go to the polls in 24 states and American Samoa.

Some 6 million Americans living abroad are eligible to vote in U.S. elections, The Associated Press reported, but only a fraction have done so in the past.

Ardie said Democrats in Indonesia wanted to create the same kind of buzz that the New Hampshire hamlet of Dixville Notch generated when it kicked off the presidential primaries on January 8.

Super TuesdayLive from the CNN Election Center, the best political team covers every race 40 hours nonstop.
Tuesday, beginning 6 a.m. ETsee full schedule »

The midnight voting in the hamlet of about 75 people near the Canadian border was closely watched by the media and the campaigns.

There too, Obama won -- garnering seven of 10 votes cast. Clinton won none.

More than four-fifths of the 2,025 delegates needed to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination are at stake Tuesday in what amounts to a national primary.

The delegates will in turn choose the party's presidential candidate at their August convention.

For the millions of Americans living around the world, Democrats Abroad is the official Democratic Party organization. It is recognized as a "state" party by the Democratic National Committee. It will send 22 delegates to the convention at which time they will have a combined 11 votes. Watch Americans living abroad uniting for party politics »

Don't Miss

Ardie said the excitement for the presidential elections this go-round was tremendous. The country committee tripled its membership in the last six months and doubled it in the last two, he said. He would not say how many party members are registered but placed the number in the hundreds.

"We have people who are first-time voters. We have people who were out of the voting process for many years," he said. . Prior to the vote, Democrats who had gathered at the central Jakarta hotel heard from both campaigns.

Gen. Wesley Clark spoke on behalf of Clinton. "He had a very comprehensive and strong message in support of Hillary Clinton based upon his time he first met her in Arkansas," Ardie said.

Obama's sister Maya Soetoro-Ng "had a more personal description of her brother," Ardie said.

She talked about why he would make a great president and "tied it back to some of his multi-cultural experiences while growing up in Indonesia."

Obama lived in Indonesia as a child with his mother and step-father. In his two books -- "Dreams From My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope" -- Obama noted that he spent two years in a Muslim school and another two years in a Catholic school while living in Indonesia from age 6 to 10, starting in 1967.

At a campaign stop in November, Obama told an Iowa audience that "probably the strongest experience I have in foreign relations is the fact that I spent four years living overseas when I was a child in Southeast Asia."

Obama said his time there, and the fact that his father was from Kenya, gave him the knowledge "of how ordinary people in these other countries live."

Later, Obama said the point he was trying to make in Iowa is that his time overseas "gives me some judgment and perspective around what other people think about America and how they might react or respond when we make some of the decisions that we make."

SOURCE: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/05/indonesia.usvote/index.html?eref=rss_politics

Zogby final California poll: Obama 49%, Clinton 35%

Chuck — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:18:58 EST

My Super Tuesday predictions:

Obama wins: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorada, Connecticut, Deleware, Dems Abroad, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusettes, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota

Clinton wins: Arkansas, Kansas, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennesee, Utah

Giving the winner a 55/45 split (which is not the actual system, but I'm not going to try make prediction on the Congressional district level) of the available delegates would produce the following delegate split for Tuesday:

Obama 764

Clinton 709

Welcome to Super Fat Tuesday

Dr. Mark Elrod — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:46:36 EST

A couple of months ago, a Republican friend at Harding told me that it looked like his party's nomination was going to be decided at their convention this summer.

I told him I didn't think that was likely, based on the recent historical pattern of Republicans eventually getting their house in order and nominating the person who has been working for the nomination for the longest time.

By this time tomorrow that person will be John McCain.

In the Democratic race, I wouldn't be surprised that after one hundred stump speeches and millions of dollars spent on TV buys and internal polls that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will be separated by about fifty delegates either way.

This makes the Democratic party's Super Delegates even more important and gives the potential endorsements by Edwards, Richardson and Al Gore even more value.

Following the pattern we've seen in the first few primaries, I would expect to see some new endorsements for both candidates announced by both campaigns early tomorrow.

However (and I'm probably spinning for my guy here) Barack will win tonight because he's been chasing HRC since New Hampshire and he's closed the race. I'm still not sure if we'll have to wait until the convention to pick a nominee but whether or not Obama wins or keeps it close tonight, he will have defeated the entire purpose of Super Tuesday by keeping the race competitive through February.

On top of that, it looks like Obama is winning the fund-raising race.

So -- John McCain gets separation today while Obama and HRC slog on.

Your mid-week Sign of the Impending Apocalypse: There's a Barack Obama watch party on the Harding campus tonight at an undisclosed location (e-mail for the location and password).

But if Obama wins California, you'll know where we are from all of the cheering.

California Mail-In Votes ??

Karen S, Cleveland OH — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:32:36 EST

Does anyone have any info on the mail-in votes in CA??

An article in the Washington Post today stated that as many as HALF the voting population mailed in their votes.

I read some time ago here that the campaign had gone to CA to urge ppl to vote absentee because of questionable electronic voting methods.

Does anyone know how successful the Obama campaign was? I'm nervous about the absentee vote--at the time, camp Hillary was far ahead in the polls.

Here's to HOPE!!!!

any info would be greatly appreciated!!!

GOOOOOOOOOOBAMA!!!!

My Predictions for Super Tuesday

RNC_for_Obama — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:11:38 EST

Alright, folks, the day of reckoning is here. I have posted my prediction spreadsheet below. I'll do a follow-up once all the votes are in to compare my guess to how the results actually panned out. You heard it hear first!

-RNC_for_Obama

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/us/11713.gif

Obama Road Show Raises the Roof in Boston

Jonathan from Acton, MA — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:16:01 EST

In a late night rally on February 4, 2008, Senator Barack Obama returned to Boston, the city where four years ago his political career soared to national prominence when he spoke at the Democratic National Convention.

At a downtown convention hall on the eve of Super Tuesday, Obama electrified a capacity crowd of nine thousand. This was no mean feat, considering that many in the crowd had already stood on their feet for five hours outside the World Trade Center, patiently waiting in a line that stretched for many blocks through the streets of South Boston.

What I did for Barack Obama today

Jose Luis — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:48:34 EST

Today is "Super Tuesday." It's finally here...

I participated in a "visibility" event after work Monday, standing on a street corner on the Oakland-Berkeley line with a group of volunteers, waving a banner in support of Barack Obama. It was one of the ways that I could connect my support with action. The variety of expressions on people's faces were mostly positive, affirming that we are part of a grassroots push that has been building up steam.

The horns in support, the smiles that came easily and those that surfaced gradually, even the couple of people who said they supported the other candidate, it was all the way democracy works...

As one of the women standing with me said, "If I were a Republican, I would be worried." She remembered being in grade school for Truman vs. Dewey in 1948. The last time she felt this strongly about a candidate was in 1968, for the Robert F. Kennedy campaign.

As she said this, a police car honked in support, not just any honk but that horn when they pull you over.

It also occurred to me, and I joked with the two women standing next to me, that we are the two demographic groups that people said Obama's opponent has in spades: women and Latinos.

It will be close today, and it will be more a battle for delegates than for actual number of states. My hope is that Barack Obama's support comes through and that we are able to push forward as the viable, electable alternative to "more of the same" among the other Democrat (Hillary) and the leading Republican (McCain). The best possibility would be to actually lead in the delegate count at the end of the day, but I will be happy to stay in contention and win a formidable chunk of delegates, some key states (such as Illinois and others), and continue to build momentum across this nation.

Barack Obama is a "once-in-a-generation" leader, folks.

If you are in a primary state today, Feb. 5, get out and vote!

What February 5th means to me

Joe — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:15:56 EST

Tommorrow, Tuesday February 5th 2008 is a clearly defined moment of opportunity for America. Many will waste away the hours predicting who the winner will be. Some may be fooled by misinformation or the minority of doubters who seem so much more prophetic when they shout on talk radio. Even worse, some of you may be tempted by the sweet idea that we may have already succeeded.

I say, why waste the priceless moments we have. As Obama's name recognition, and sweeping movement gain momentum, he will actually enter Super Tuesday, viewed as a slight underdog to the name recognition of Hillary Clinton. At least this is how the media seems to be leading in.

This is perfect for those of us seeing the promise Barack Obama holds. Don't get me wrong, it will be a battle, and I would love to be wrong and taste victory, but I don't see the smoke settling and a nomination being declared. Some have said it may be mathematically impossible.

What I do see, is an opportunity to utilize our time tommorrow to think, to plan, to continue, and follow through the day so that not an ounce of precious momentum is lost.

Like many others, I can tell you of my burden heavy American heart. A war and an Administration that I cringe to think represents me in the world. Where a war on terror became a war on truth. Where freedom has been set up like a failed franchise and Osama Bin Laden seems to be content to take Bush up on his offer of freedom in the middle east. Like so many of you have shared, I felt a great loss. Not at what has happened, but what greatness has been stolen from a generation, a portion of all our lives, lost. The potential of humanity squandered. The near loss of the anticipation that someone, somewhere, would speak up, speak out, and make it right.

At last, I have grown so much in my ability to hope in the past year. I have seen nothing short of small miracles. So it is these small miracles that have returned my breath of pride. Independent friends and Republican family members coming together to join Barack. Children recycling cans to help Barack. The presence of innovation, people inspired to use their intellect and shape ideas to work towards this great cause. The amazing feeling at an Obama rally to see so many citizen diplomats representing the diversity that we once saw as one of our greatest strenghts. The chants "Race doesn't Matter!", "We want change", and "Yes We Can!". Daily stories of people really feeling the return of possibility. The overall idea that America is our shiny new Corvette, there is room for us all, and "I wonder just how fast this baby can go!". These are just the miracles I needed and not a moment too soon.

Let our opponents slow down to speculate and drown in media misinformation. Tommorrow is our day to follow through, resist assumptions, and begin our greatest efforts toward this dream we share.

Good luck to all of you working to make this happen.

As for Senator Obama, keep fighting the good fight Barack. We have your back, meanwhile each and every day our new American movement grows.

Weekend Roundup: Underdogs For The Win!

Timothy O'Neill — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:00:17 EST

This weekend I rejoiced at my father's cured cardiac condition (yay, medical science!), ate lots of good food, played basketball, drank very little alcohol, wasted a couple hours of my life on Guitar Hero 2 (thanks a lot, Lauren), saw Barack Obama speak at a rally in Wilmington, and despite near-zero interest in spectator sports, watched the New York Giants win an un-winnable game. The cumulative effect of all this, I think, was inspiring.

Here are a few pictures from the "Stand for Change" rally today at Rodney Square in Wilmington, Delaware. My friend Emily was good enough to tag along despite her total lack of interest in politics, but I haven't checked to see whether she minds my posting her picture yet. The weather could hardly have been better. It was a great day, and Obama gave (as usual) a great speech. I'm thinking that he might just be able to make like the Giants and pull off an upset in the "big game" on Tuesday. We'll see!

Obama addresses his supporters.

Panoramic view of the crowd.

This shot seems really poignant to me, for some reason.

The crowd was very diverse, with many racial/ethnic/age/gender groups represented.

Statue of George Washington.

Me and one of several bizarre dinosaur statues I found in Wilmington.

Aerial view courtesy of some newspaper I stole it from and promptly forgot the name of. The crowd was estimated to be 20,000+ strong.

Today is the day!

Kevin Bondelli — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:34:22 EST

Everyone remember to go out and vote for Obama today. Don't forget to remind all of the Obama supporters you know.

Making Calls on Almost-Super Monday

Ross Martin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:50:36 EST

Finally got around to doing something for the campaign - I clicked on the Make Calls button and, well, made calls. To Colorado so I wouldn't be waking anyone since it was already after 10pm on the East Coast. After getting over the initial jitters of calling complete strangers and becoming one of those @#(*! telemarketers, it was actually quite fun and a positive experience. People seem excited to participate - though not everyone was an Obama supporter and many more were undecided.

It is great to see people believing in this process!

I just learned that I'll have to travel next week during the Maryland primary, so I'll put in my time by doing some calls here before that election.

Go ahead, give it a try - the tools are great and you will be glad you worked to make a change!

Support Barack--Vote Now!!!

Paul from Belleair Beach, FL — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:55:23 EST

I want to invite everyone to keep the momentum going and place a vote for Senator Obama at http://drinksfoodandfun.blogspot.com/ It is a beverage site which has several fun drink ideas for Super Tuesday viewing and a Signature Cocktail created especially for Senator Obama called Barack's HOPE. There is also a poll where visitors vote for their favorite Candidate Inspired Cocktail. It's a fun site and another chance for an Obama win on Super Tuesday!

Barack Obama Iowa Victory Speech Remix

DJ Matt Werner — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:04:08 EST

Check out my Barack Obama Remix at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oemzuoKB08

The piano instrumental to Kanye West is by David Sides. For the original, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpI6VNvRTII

Obama is Global!

Emma — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:34:51 EST

As the race for the White House heats up I’m sitting here an ocean away, musing over what may or may not matter to the American people. Obviously the various issues like economy and health care, matters in any political campaign. But in this case you can hardly tell the candidates apart on the issues. So what is it that will, in the end, make the difference?

Personally I guess I’m kind of hoping that my own support, as well as hundreds of other non-American citizens, will have some impact. After all it shows Obama have actually been able to Unite the world, even before he’s even tried to do so. I can’t imagine Hillary have many supporters outside the borders of America (at least none that she hasn’t paid for).

A while ago I was recommended this site; a map of the world where all of Obama’s supporters can set their mark. Today it has over six hundred supporters and personally I like to see a lot more. It’s a brilliant way of showing, in a very pedagogical way, just how strong he is all around the world. And in the end that should be all that matters.

I know America doesn’t like to depend on others. I suppose it’s the whole cowboy myth, the lone ranger, alone with nothing but his horse and his pride, which seem so alluring to Americans. But as for the rest of us, we’ve already figured out that alone is weak. Every single individual is always stronger in a pack than out in the cold alone. So we compromise, we listen to each other and try find a balance between our national independence and our common goals as humans. If America wants to survive as a Union, it’s going to have to do the same.

Hillary has already shown her intentions in regards to the rest of the world. It will take a long time for any of us to trust her, time America doesn’t have. Obama has already stretched out his hand, and we have responded. A lot more work remains to be done of course, but at least it is a start.

But without the world, America will stand alone. It will stand alone in Iraq, it will stand alone on the struggling financial market, and it will stand alone in a world that is getting increasingly colder.

With Obama in charge I believe that can be overcome. So put your name on that map (if you haven’t already) and let America, and Obama himself, be empowered by the world! And then maybe he can empower us all in return.

To inspire you for the final 24 hours.....

Manda — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:01:26 EST

Cross posted on my Myspace page:

I know I woke up yesterday excited about the rally in California even though I'm in DC (I watched it on c-span 3 times!) and then logged on to the major news networks and to tv to see Barack making up considerable distance in the polls. I was overjoyed! Then when Maria Shriver walked out, there are no words. There were tears but no words. I started calling everyone to make sure they knew what was happening. It was another one of those moments in this campaign that just brought it home.

So as we are all looking forward to Tuesday and we are anxious, excited, scared and every other emotion in between, I want us all to stay Fired Up! Make the calls, talk to our friends, family and neighbors and don't ever give up hope. A quick story to share. I was volunteering in South Carolina. I have a bum ankle so I volunteered to drive people to the polls and volunteers to canvas. It was about 45 minutes before the polls were going to close and I had three college girls about 18 or 19 years old who were out knocking on doors. On their list of houses was one marked vacant. They decided to knock anyway and at least leave a door hanger about Barack.

Why Barack?

Tony West — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:30:00 EST

(A version of this post appeared here as an op-ed in the San Francisco Bay View on Friday, 01 February 2008.)

Barack Obama and Tony West. Photo by Mona Brooks.

On Feb. 5, we will be called to engage in one of the few activities we do together, as one nation: We will go to the polls. And we will make a choice. For me, that choice is Sen. Barack Obama.

My reasons for supporting Barack stem from both my personal history and my sense of history. Barack's message of hope - of our individual and collective ability to see beyond the appearances of our world as it is and embrace the vision of what it can be - has deep resonance with me. My parents grew up in the segregated, deep South. They came to California just before I was born, seeking opportunity that eluded them back home. My father, the first in his family to achieve a college education, and my mother, the eldest daughter of Methodist pastor, had neither relatives nor much money when they arrived here. But what they did have they gave to me, their only son: Love, an education, faith and hope.

I’ve reflected on how those gifts transformed my life, particularly as I’ve thought about how Barack’s extraordinary campaign has transformed this country. Barack’s journey is so inspiring because it is, in many ways, so ordinary: Raised by a single mother after his father left the family when Barack was only two; struggled with issues of identity and place before finding his way and excelling at Columbia University and Harvard Law School; passed up high-paying job offers after law school to organize working people on the south side of Chicago who’d lost their jobs; and served his nation, first in the Illinois statehouse and then the U.S. Senate, as a voice for change and justice.

When Barack recounts his remarkable journey, he is telling a story of hope that many, regardless of race, class, gender or religion can identify with. It is a uniquely American story, one which reminds us of what we already know: That we are an optimistic, decent, good people; a nation comprised of those who have often overcome the odds; individuals who have frequently faced tough circumstances but have persevered out of a belief that tomorrow can be better than today. In the mirror of Barack’s narrative, we see our best selves.

Invite Someone To The Polls With You

Sherrilynn Brown — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:42:49 EST

Reaching Out To Others:

* Is there someone you think might need a ride to the polls, offer to take them along with you?

* Small groups are forming around the country to combine a resolution to get more excersise, with a chance to vote Obama for America.

* Advanced/Early Voting is allowed in some Super Tuesday states. If your state has Early Voting, remind others they can vote today, as well as Feb. 5th.

A Video Homage for Obama on Super Tuesday and beyond

DJ Evans — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:20:40 EST

I'd wondered what I could do to get the word out during this final push toward Super Tuesday (and beyond as well), and it occurred to me that the ether might be missing a "less slick" version of a video.

The "Yes we can" video sweeping the nation is incredibly cool--almost TOO cool for its own good at times (I worry the stars overshadow the message)...since I only had a day or two, I opted for a simpler approach.

This is the result--VOTE, certainly!

But vote for hope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2b3SWDss1Y

(copy link and paste into new browser window)

PS: Feel Free to share the link--DJE

Facing Fears

Karoli — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:13:49 EST

When I first heard Barack Obama speak at the 2004 Democratic convention I turned to my kids and told them to watch him now, because one day he would be running for President. Earlier this year, before I'd made up my mind which candidate to support, I confessed to my middle son that as much as I liked Barack Obama, every time I heard him speak, my painful childhood memories of Bobby Kennedy's assassination, JFK's funeral (with little Caroline and John looking on) and Martin Luther King's funeral flooded back. Obama has so many of the same qualities they had - idealism peppered with a dash of realism, hope, an amazing gift for inspiring and mobilizing support, and most of all, practical ideas to begin putting our country back together. He is clearly the right voice at the right time and I knew it. But I was afraid.

An Independent Perspective

John Manrique — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 04:05:40 EST

This opinion piece perfectly sums up the Obama advantage for me. If you agree, please pass it around to every voter you know that has yet to cast their ballot. This could be such a powerful moment and turning point in history – so much rides on this choice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

An Independent Perspective

Palm Beach Opinion - February 3, 2008

I am Independent. I can praise aspects of both the Reagan and Clinton presidencies and not be vilified. I am free to support and criticize whichever candidates or politicians I choose without compromising “party loyalty.” In 2000 I voted for Nader and chalked-up Bush’s White House gambit as “typical.” I am cynical of mainstream politics and career politicians, rarely finding substance among the sound bites. I play chess. I am indifferent, typically sitting out elections with a resignation that, “it really doesn’t make a difference anyway.” I, and the millions like me, can be the force and difference that wins general elections if so inspired.

So I wonder, just days before millions of voters prepare to cast their ballots advancing Hillary Clinton in Democratic Primaries across the country as their candidate for President, what are these people thinking?!?!?

Ironic for an Independent I realize, particularly for someone who publicly acknowledges voting for Ralph, but I look at this like a game of chess. Strategically speaking, if you are a Democrat or find common ground with their party ideals, and want to see that sort of perspective back in the White House, why vote for Clinton and put forward an unelectable general election candidate?

I have no idea why, but Hillary Clinton is not liked by many Americans. She is intelligent, well-spoken, an excellent debater, and sage political animal, but she is also one of the most polarizing personalities in history. I believe she is the only First Lady to ever earn a lower approval rating than her husband while in office. How divisive do you have to be to be an unpopular First Lady? I mean, who doesn’t like the First Lady … she’s America’s mom or grandmother for goodness sake!

Likeable. Popular. Inspiring. These are not the words most use to describe Hillary Clinton, yet if on Super Tuesday you are voting to put a Democrat back in the White House, your candidate better possess those characteristics if you want to pick up swing voters in November’s election. “Hillary Clinton” is a rallying cry for the opposition, and while she may be a cherished cog in the party machine, across that vast sea of red states which fills the liberal-elite void between New York City and San Francisco, “cherish” is not the immediate reaction her name evokes.

And then you have Barack Obama. Here is a brilliant leader that by the sheer strength of his persona, vision, and passion can move a disengaged Independent like me to not only vote for him, but get off my butt, register on his web site, and make phone calls to people across the country in support of his candidacy. Dare I say, he has a cynic like me believing we can reclaim the meaning of “Change” and make it more than a slogan plastered across the campaigns of candidates who mouth the word but lack the charisma and courage to give it true meaning.

What the Democratic Party has missed for so long (see Dukakis, Mondale, Gore, and Kerry), you now finally have with a dynamic personality that inspires Independents, the disengaged, Centrists, and even some Republicans to support your cause on the issues of healthcare, the War in Iraq, education, the economy, immigration, worker’s rights, poverty, etc. Yet despite this monumental opportunity, you look to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Instead, you seek to put a member of the old guard on the ticket, a candidate that merely by having her name on the ballot will unify and mobilize your opponent and drive millions not to vote “for” another but “against” you.

I realize as far as endorsements go, I’m no Kennedy, Maya Angelou, or Oprah. Heck, I am nobody, and that is exactly who 99.99% of the voting population is. You cannot afford to lose our endorsement, because unlike loyal Democrats who will vote for whoever your party nominates, we will not.

Some will turn their support to Clinton, but more won’t. The disengaged will dismiss Hillary as business as usual from the status quo. The pragmatic amongst us will not vote for Clinton for fear the country will stagnate for at least four more years with her and Bill back in the White House. As unjust as it may be, the anti-Clinton sentiment held by many in Washington would log jam the opposition against all Executive efforts regarding issues such as the Iraq war and healthcare. Moreover, Hillary’s self-professed inclination to frustration when people do not move as quickly as she wants would only further intensify the delays. We cannot afford that.

Let’s be honest, the “plans” all of these candidates put forward to deal with the critical issues of our time are never going to be put into action exactly as they are being sold today. A President does not do it alone. S/He needs Congress, and there will be compromise and deals from all sides of the equation before “change” becomes reality. Those who want to see Democratic principles in the White House effectively working on the issues need to seriously think about not only who can broker meaningful compromise between the players in Washington, but also inspire and rally the support of the citizenry. Barack Obama is that person.

The Republican Party would like nothing more than to see the name “Hillary Rodham Clinton” on the ballot as the Democratic nominee for President. Then they don’t need a candidate that stands for anything, but an alternative to run against her. Fair or not, that’s the reality and a much easier fight for them to win in November. They certainly do not want to face-off against the excitement, energy, and ideals Barack Obama and his supporters bring to the table.

Which means the fate and future of this country will be determined in two days. There is a very real potential that on February 5, Super Tuesday voters will decide who our next President is. From this Independent’s perspective, I hope these voters give us the most realistic shot at change we might ever have and vote for Barack Obama.

Here's hoping

Wally — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:54:16 EST

It is somewhat silly to draw comparisons between sports and politics, but I will do that in this one instance.

I was over at my boss' watching the Super Bowl and I was reminded again that the Patriots were the favored team, the "chosen" team. Conventional wisdom, the stats, projections and talking heads all said it. The Giants had no business being there and it was a formality just to play the game. The Pats were ready for "perfection" and it was all over before it began.

And then they lost.

After a season started by getting their hands caught in the cookie jar, cheating and spying on opposing team's playcalling, by one where they consistently ran up the score and relentlessly attacked lesser talented teams, where their coach couldn't even stay and watch the last second of the game he finally lost and stormed off the field to the locker room, we saw a team without class or scruples or decency.

I'm glad they lost. It makes the rest of us slightly better for it happening.

Hopefully we see the same on Tuesday. Hopefully Barack Obama, the candidate "who shouldn't be here" can win the majority of delegates from Clinton, who we have been told for years is THE "chosen" candidate. We know Republicans will rally against her. We know her dirty campaigning will turn off independents. Heck, I'm a life-long Democrat in a family of them and I still don't think I can vote for her if she is actually *annointed* our candidate.

So, here again I hope the underdog wins. I hope the better candidate with the better ideas, and the better plan for America can overcome the odds.

So, yeah, here's hoping.

Great RALLY!

Cynthia Basinet — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:22:31 EST

WOW!!!

Speakers at the packed event were opening comments by Victoria Hopper, Kathleen Kennedy introducing Oprah Winfrey. Oprah's inspiring speech was followed by Michelle Obama's.

Suprise appearance and speeches by Stevie Wonder and Maria Shiver.

Other celebs at the event, Tracy Ross, Alfie Woodard, Cynthia Basinet, Bernard Parks and more.

Sac for Edwards: 90% of members choose Obama

Sierra Hussein Cajun — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:20:25 EST

Yesterday, Sacramento for John Edwards sent out a press release stating that nearly 90% of their members have chosen Barack Obama as the candidate "most qualified to pick up the torch from John Edwards and to carry it all the way to the White House... most qualified to assume the leadership of our movement for progressive social change." Citing Sen. Obama's work as a community organizer in Chicago, his choice to challenge racial injustice by passing up a lucrative career in corporate law to work as a civil rights attorney, the members of Sacramento for John Edwards say they are proud to endorse Barack Obama for President.

I spoke to a disappointed Edwards supporter yesterday, and after comparing Clinton and Obama's positions on health care and their records on Iraq, he verbally committed to Obama. Although many Edwards supporters like his views more than Obama, I believe almost all of them will find a home in Barack's campaign.

Yes we can.

Closing the Gap - All Hands on Deck!

Jason Wells — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:18:20 EST

The latest round of polls shows that the gap has narrowed to nearly a dead heat in CA and some other crtitcal states. The momentum is growning in spite of the Clinton "victory" in Florida.

Everyone needs be getting fired up to get out on Tuesday to vote or Caucus. The danger here is running into another New Hampshire situation where the outcome was phenominal, but didn't match the pre-primary poll hype.

These numbers will also have the Clintons out in full force, so we can't fall asleep. Every vote counts!

YOUR Personal Story

Adele Nicols — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:59:42 EST

As I gear up to make a final round of calls before the Super Bowl (figuring no one would appreciate a call at that time), just wanted to share something I heard on a recent phone-banking teleconference. When you encounter people that are on-the-fence, never underestimate the power of your own story. Why are YOU supporting Barack Obama? Keeping it authentic is the best way to be heard. After all, think of how Barack's personal style...his authenticity is a big part of his appeal. So whomever you speak to, from now til Super Tuesday, be authentic and share your story. For those of you who are using a script on the phone-banking team, don't be afraid to veer from it. Remember, people will respond better when they feel they are speaking to a REAL person. Keep it human!

:-)

Stupor Tuesday

♫Parodee♫ — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:08:30 EST

Barack has the momentum to carry "Super Tuesday". I have confidence in that.

I am already weary (but not altogether discouraged) from the media hype, innuendo, batlle-prodding, and overreactions surrounding the presidential race.

"Shame" on Barack and Hillary for not providing a rock-'em sock'em, knockdown, drag-out fight for the World-Wide-Campaigning Federation at CNN. Their civility was poison to the mediator, Wolf Blitzer (who could be heard whining, "I'm melting... I'm mellllllllllllling!" after the debate).

Although we have been provided with many debate offerings from various networks and organizations - the networks are still all about ratings and bottom line and therefore avail themselves of every opportunity to create "reality moments". Jerry Springer would be proud.

Last week the Republicans fell victim with the McCain-Romney bout ("The Thrilla Righta Winga") but Barack and Hillary didn't succumb to the Battle-Prodding - once is enough!

The very corporate mentality of bottom line above all other ethics has degraded the dignity, transparency, and veracity of network news and debate coverage and moderation. It's not so pretty when the coporations control the media! How convenient that Super Tuesday falls during sweeps.

SF Chronicle: State poll shows huge gains by Obama, McCain

Karen S, Cleveland OH — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 07:35:44 EST

This is SUPER AWESOME!!

"Clinton, a longtime California favorite, saw her once-commanding lead slip to two percentage points, 36 to 34 percent, in the new survey. That's down from the New York senator's 12 percentage point lead in mid-January and a 25 percentage point margin over Obama in October."

READ FULL ARTICLE>>

YES WE CAN!!!!!

GOOOOOOOOOBAMA!!!!!

SuperSaturday Canvassing

Ravi — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 01:27:19 EST

What a great day! This morning, a packed auditorium at Everett Middle School to get precinct walking packets and hear Sen. John Kerry and Kamala Harris! Kerry was great - I was so glad to see him in person! I wish I was taking notes, it would have been great to give you some quotes - but I was busy taking pictures, which I'll have up sometime soon at http://www.movingstills.org. Kerry was funny - "I got 59 million votes, which I thought was good, until I found out that Sanjay from American Idol got 5 million more!" He was also moving, as he reflected on the importance of this election as the fulfillment of the best of American ideals, and on Barack Obama as a transformational, not a transitional, leader.

Afterwards, the hundreds of volunteers swarmed into the San Francisco streets and took the Obama message door-to-door on a rainy day. My feets is tired but my soul is strong!

A special shout out to volunteers who've really helped me out a lot this last week with making calls for my precinct: THANK YOU Elina, Michele, and Edward! I really believe we are changing the shape of American politics with this incredible grassroots effort.

Super Tuesday

j miller — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:52:20 EST

The Obama wave of inspiration and dedication to the issues that matter most to Americans has endured. It's Super Tuesday time and many said that he would not have lasted to this point. Many said that his momentum was impressive, but would be short lived.

Senator Clinton is brilliant and she may be a fantastic leader. Yet, my core belief is that Senator Obama should be the man raising his hand on January 20, 2009. This is not only because when he speaks I become overwhelmingly aware and proud of my patriotism, but because the transformation that his ideas would have on the United States is one that could remind all of us how fortunate we are to live in this country.

As an adult, I have not been fortunate enough to listen to the words of my President and feel that his decisions are guided by what is truly best for our country and our citizens. Imagine being able to feel that. Imagine believing in President Obama.

Now we must give what we can, call who we can, and do all that we can do for this cause for which we all feel so strongly. Barack Obama states that this is a defining moment in history and this feels like a defining time in his campaign. We must rise to each new challenge presented and for any February 5th voters...GET TO THE BOOTH!