Posts with the tag endorsement

Canada slaughters hundreds of thousands of innocent seals

Bernard — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:17:41 EDT

I was still shocked to learn that Canada slaughters hundreds of thousands of innocent seals for their fur every year. These animals, often babies who are just weeks old, have their skulls smashed in or are shot. Then they are skinned for their fur - often while they are still conscious. How can we still let this happen! As a American sports enthusiast, I cannot support the games in all honestly if this continues to go unnoticed. It's just like in China, where I learn the hundreds of thousands of innocent cats and dogs were and perhaps still being slaughers for their fur. Just like the "Wild Mustang Horses" http://www.wildhorserescue.org/, Example: Illinois bill threatens to re-0pen horse slaughter plant! http://www.wildmustangcoalition.org/id15.html

All eyes are on Canada, (I hope you are Pres. Obama) as it prepares to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Please help end the seal slaughter immediately so that the reputation of the Vancouver Olympic Games won't be tarnished.

Thanks

"The Guardian" (U.K.) endorses Senator Obama

John Lewis-Dickerson, Atlanta — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:28:59 EST

A new leader for a new era

The US stands on the threshold of the new era it needs. Americans should elect Barack Obama as their president

Every United States presidential election is important. Most of them provide dramatic political theatre. All of them are compulsively watched by the rest of the world. The election of 2008, however, is a record-breaker in all departments. It is important because it comes at the end of George Bush's calamitous two terms and amid such economic turmoil......

ENTIRE EDITORIAL- http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/nov/01/elections-obama-mccain-usa-bush

Barack Obama has gained the support of one of the Jewish world's most prominent leaders.

John Lewis-Dickerson, Atlanta — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 23:57:12 EDT

Former World Jewish Congress chief Bronfman endorses 'tough idealist' Obama

By Haaretz Service

Barack Obama gained the support of one of the Jewish world's most prominent leaders Friday, when Canadian philanthropist Edgar M. Bronfman gave the Democratic presidential candidate his endorsement.

In a column on the Huffingtonpost, Bronfman asserted that Obama is the candidate who will act in the best interest of Israel. Of Obama's Republican rival, the philanthropist said: "As an American Jew who loves Israel, I cannot support John McCain."

Bronfman, a former head of the World Jewish Congress, wrote in the piece titled "Israel's Best Interest is a Morally Strong America" that an honest broker was needed to push Israelis and Palestinians toward a two-state solution...........

ENTIRE ARTICLE- http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1033267.html

Colin Powell Endorses Obama

Stephanie Williams — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:50:14 EDT

Prominent Jewish Clevlanders Show Their Support for Obama...

Brady — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:16:34 EDT

I had the honor of being hired by the Cleveland chapter of the NJDC to design an ad in support of Barack Obama. The ad ran in last weeks issue of Cleveland Jewish News and included OVER 1,000 names of prominent Cleveland Jewish families who will be voting for Barack Obama! To see a copy of the ad please see the posting titled "Prominent Jewish Clevlanders Show Their Support for Obama..." at www.85andchange.com . PLEASE PASS IT ON TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE INFLUENCED BY IT!!

NH Republican Leaves McCain Campaign to Support Obama

Anne Marie @ NH HQ — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:07:43 EDT

MANCHESTER - Fred Bramante, a member of McCain's New Hampshire Leadership Committee and a 2008 Alternate Delegate to the Republican National Convention today announced his support for Senator Obama's Campaign for Change.

Bramante, a Co-Chair of Gov. Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign and former Republican gubernatorial candidate, is a past Chairman and current member of the New Hampshire State Board of Education. His endorsement marks the first time nationally that a delegate or alternate delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention has publicly announced their decision to support Sen. Obama.

"I believe that America is at a critical point and that how our nation addresses the issue of education redesign will hold the key to America's future," said Fred Bramante. "Barack Obama is committed to reforming our public schools instead of abandoning them. To my disappointment, Senator McCain continues to support the use of vouchers, a divisive approach to education which has gotten us nowhere for decades and will not ensure that our children will live their lives in another American Century."

On the call, the Obama-Biden Campaign also announced 20 other prominent New Hampshire Republicans who support Obama for president.

"As a lifelong Republican and father of two, I believe Obama is the best choice for the future of our country. He has my support because of his views on the economy, his concern for America's standing in the world, and his opposition to the war in Iraq," said Barry Schuster of Lebanon. "As the former Chair of the school board, I know improving education policy will be critical to the Senator because of his own experiences and the value he places on reforming the system."

"It has been the Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, who has demonstrated sound judgment in dealing with this economic crisis," said Pamela Diamantis of Greenland. "I am supporting Obama because he meets the criteria I want in a president, which is someone who is a strong leader who has conviction around his ideas and has the skills and desire to effectively communicate and build a consensus."

This group of 20 New Hampshire Republicans joins a long list of other prominent Republicans supporting Obama including Republican State Representative Sandy Kearns, former Republican State Senator Richard Russman, former Republican State Representative William Tsiros, and former Republican State Representative Liz Hager.

Uri Avnery on Barack Obama

Steve — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:15:07 EDT

I found this opinion editorial in the Pakistani Daily Times:

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C10%5C28%5Cstory_28-10-2008_pg3_6

I regard Uri Avnery as a sage in the extremely important and difficult stage of Middle East conflict. I believe that finding his perspectives on a Pakistani website is strongly worthy of our notice.

Ottumwa Courier Endorses Barack

Zachary Scott Edwards — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:34:52 EDT

Obama for president
OUR ENDORSEMENT
These are difficult times.
The United States is facing an economic crisis unlike any we’ve seen since the Great Depression.
Health care, food and fuel costs are skyrocketing and too many Americans are doing without. Some have to choose between eating, staying warm or taking their prescription medicine.
After more than five years, the war in Iraq continues and there does not appear to be an “end game” in sight. The conflict in Afghanistan has intensified and terror concerns have not dissipated since 9/11.
The next president has a daunting agenda and now more than ever, we need a leader who has vision, can inspire and will produce real solutions.
Barack Obama is that man.
Despite the critics who argue the junior senator from Illinois lacks experience, we believe Obama is exactly the kind of leader we need now.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell perhaps said it best:
Obama has “displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems like [the economic crisis] and picking a vice president ...” he said, adding Obama “has given us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people. He’s crossing lines — ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines.”
Obama’s opponent, Sen. John McCain is a war veteran, an American hero and has had a distinguished career in the Senate.
For years, he was the moderate maverick who worked with both Republicans and Democrats. He was always taking an independent approach to issues impacting our country, including illegal immigration and social issues.
We concede that the Courier editorial board was split over this endorsement. McCain, after all, is well versed in a number of areas, including foreign policy matters and how Washington works. But the majority of our board felt McCain’s campaign has trekked too far to the right.
In the end, this debate is about making a choice between Obama and McCain. Who will do the best job in moving us away from the past eight years of economic instability, partisan bickering and “cowboy diplomacy?”
We believe it is Obama who has shown he is prepared to take on the serious challenges we face as a nation.
A week prior to the Iowa Caucuses, Obama told the editorial board that now is the time for something greater than ourselves.
We believe it is Obama who has shown he is prepared to take on the serious challenges we face as a nation.

A week prior to the Iowa Caucuses, Obama told the editorial board that now is the time for something greater than ourselves.

GOP Senator and Vietnam Veteran Endorses & Votes for Obama

John — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:26:31 EDT

Former Sen. Larry Pressler (R-S.D.), who was the first Vietnam veteran to serve in the United States Senate, is the latest Republican to back Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

Pressler "cited the Democrat's response to the financial crisis as the primary reason for his decision."

"I just got the feeling that Obama will be able to handle this financial crisis better, and I like his financial team of [former Treasury Secretary Robert] Rubin and [former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul] Volcker better," he said. By contrast, John McCain's "handling of the financial crisis made me feel nervous."

(Read more)

Al Qaeda Recruiters for McSame

Henry M — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:34:31 EDT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/opinion/26kristof.html

John McCain isn’t boasting about a new endorsement, one of the very, very few he has received from overseas. It came a few days ago:

On the Ground

“Al Qaeda will have to support McCain in the coming election,” read a commentary on a password-protected Islamist Web site that is closely linked to Al Qaeda and often disseminates the group’s propaganda.

Yet the endorsement of Mr. McCain by a Qaeda-affiliated Web site isn’t a surprise to security specialists. Richard Clarke, the former White House counterterrorism director, and Joseph Nye, the former chairman of the National Intelligence Council, have both suggested that Al Qaeda prefers Mr. McCain and might even try to use terror attacks in the coming days to tip the election to him.
“From their perspective, a continuation of Bush policies is best for recruiting,” said Professor Nye, adding that Mr. McCain is far more likely to continue those policies.
An American president who keeps troops in Iraq indefinitely, fulminates about Islamic terrorism, inclines toward military solutions and antagonizes other nations is an excellent recruiting tool. In contrast, an African-American president with a Muslim grandfather and a penchant for building bridges rather than blowing them up would give Al Qaeda recruiters fits.

f you appreciaterd this message, then please have a look at the rest of my blog, http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/henrymu and support and contribute to the campaign (it’s not over until the polls close): http://tinyurl.com/henrym4obamafundraising

Henry M

New York Times' Endorsement of Barack Obama

Sheldon from Doylestown — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:47:41 EDT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/opinion/24fri1.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all

Editorial

Barack Obama for President

Published: October 23, 2008

Hyperbole is the currency of presidential campaigns, but this year the nation's future truly hangs in the balance.
The United States is battered and drifting after eight years of President Bush's failed leadership. He is saddling his successor with two wars, a scarred global image and a government systematically stripped of its ability to protect and help its citizens — whether they are fleeing a hurricane's floodwaters, searching for affordable health care or struggling to hold on to their homes, jobs, savings and pensions in the midst of a financial crisis that was foretold and preventable.
As tough as the times are, the selection of a new president is easy. After nearly two years of a grueling and ugly campaign, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has proved that he is the right choice to be the 44th president of the United States.
•
Mr. Obama has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early promises of hope and change. He has shown a cool head and sound judgment. We believe he has the will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this nation's problems.
In the same time, Senator John McCain of Arizona has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of American politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and even hints of racism. His policies and worldview are mired in the past. His choice of a running mate so evidently unfit for the office was a final act of opportunism and bad judgment that eclipsed the accomplishments of 26 years in Congress.
Given the particularly ugly nature of Mr. McCain's campaign, the urge to choose on the basis of raw emotion is strong. But there is a greater value in looking closely at the facts of life in America today and at the prescriptions the candidates offer. The differences are profound.
Mr. McCain offers more of the Republican every-man-for-himself ideology, now lying in shards on Wall Street and in Americans' bank accounts. Mr. Obama has another vision of government's role and responsibilities.
In his convention speech in Denver, Mr. Obama said, "Government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves: protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology."
Since the financial crisis, he has correctly identified the abject failure of government regulation that has brought the markets to the brink of collapse.
The Economy
The American financial system is the victim of decades of Republican deregulatory and anti-tax policies. Those ideas have been proved wrong at an unfathomable price, but Mr. McCain — a self-proclaimed "foot soldier in the Reagan revolution" — is still a believer.
Mr. Obama sees that far-reaching reforms will be needed to protect Americans and American business.
Mr. McCain talks about reform a lot, but his vision is pinched. His answer to any economic question is to eliminate pork-barrel spending — about $18 billion in a $3 trillion budget — cut taxes and wait for unfettered markets to solve the problem.
Mr. Obama is clear that the nation's tax structure must be changed to make it fairer. That means the well-off Americans who have benefited disproportionately from Mr. Bush's tax cuts will have to pay some more. Working Americans, who have seen their standard of living fall and their children's options narrow, will benefit. Mr. Obama wants to raise the minimum wage and tie it to inflation, restore a climate in which workers are able to organize unions if they wish and expand educational opportunities.
Mr. McCain, who once opposed President Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy as fiscally irresponsible, now wants to make them permanent. And while he talks about keeping taxes low for everyone, his proposed cuts would overwhelmingly benefit the top 1 percent of Americans while digging the country into a deeper fiscal hole.
National Security
The American military — its people and equipment — is dangerously overstretched. Mr. Bush has neglected the necessary war in Afghanistan, which now threatens to spiral into defeat. The unnecessary and staggeringly costly war in Iraq must be ended as quickly and responsibly as possible.
While Iraq's leaders insist on a swift drawdown of American troops and a deadline for the end of the occupation, Mr. McCain is still taking about some ill-defined "victory." As a result, he has offered no real plan for extracting American troops and limiting any further damage to Iraq and its neighbors.
Mr. Obama was an early and thoughtful opponent of the war in Iraq, and he has presented a military and diplomatic plan for withdrawing American forces. Mr. Obama also has correctly warned that until the Pentagon starts pulling troops out of Iraq, there will not be enough troops to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
Mr. McCain, like Mr. Bush, has only belatedly focused on Afghanistan's dangerous unraveling and the threat that neighboring Pakistan may quickly follow.
Mr. Obama would have a learning curve on foreign affairs, but he has already showed sounder judgment than his opponent on these critical issues. His choice of Senator Joseph Biden — who has deep foreign-policy expertise — as his running mate is another sign of that sound judgment. Mr. McCain's long interest in foreign policy and the many dangers this country now faces make his choice of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska more irresponsible.
Both presidential candidates talk about strengthening alliances in Europe and Asia, including NATO, and strongly support Israel. Both candidates talk about repairing America's image in the world. But it seems clear to us that Mr. Obama is far more likely to do that — and not just because the first black president would present a new American face to the world.
Mr. Obama wants to reform the United Nations, while Mr. McCain wants to create a new entity, the League of Democracies — a move that would incite even fiercer anti-American furies around the world.
Unfortunately, Mr. McCain, like Mr. Bush, sees the world as divided into friends (like Georgia) and adversaries (like Russia). He proposed kicking Russia out of the Group of 8 industrialized nations even before the invasion of Georgia. We have no sympathy for Moscow's bullying, but we also have no desire to replay the cold war. The United States must find a way to constrain the Russians' worst impulses, while preserving the ability to work with them on arms control and other vital initiatives.
Both candidates talk tough on terrorism, and neither has ruled out military action to end Iran's nuclear weapons program. But Mr. Obama has called for a serious effort to try to wean Tehran from its nuclear ambitions with more credible diplomatic overtures and tougher sanctions. Mr. McCain's willingness to joke about bombing Iran was frightening.
The Constitution and the Rule of Law
Under Mr. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the justice system and the separation of powers have come under relentless attack. Mr. Bush chose to exploit the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, the moment in which he looked like the president of a unified nation, to try to place himself above the law.
Mr. Bush has arrogated the power to imprison men without charges and browbeat Congress into granting an unfettered authority to spy on Americans. He has created untold numbers of "black" programs, including secret prisons and outsourced torture. The president has issued hundreds, if not thousands, of secret orders. We fear it will take years of forensic research to discover how many basic rights have been violated.
Both candidates have renounced torture and are committed to closing the prison camp in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
But Mr. Obama has gone beyond that, promising to identify and correct Mr. Bush's attacks on the democratic system. Mr. McCain has been silent on the subject.
Mr. McCain improved protections for detainees. But then he helped the White House push through the appalling Military Commissions Act of 2006, which denied detainees the right to a hearing in a real court and put Washington in conflict with the Geneva Conventions, greatly increasing the risk to American troops.
The next president will have the chance to appoint one or more justices to a Supreme Court that is on the brink of being dominated by a radical right wing. Mr. Obama may appoint less liberal judges than some of his followers might like, but Mr. McCain is certain to pick rigid ideologues. He has said he would never appoint a judge who believes in women's reproductive rights.
The Candidates
It will be an enormous challenge just to get the nation back to where it was before Mr. Bush, to begin to mend its image in the world and to restore its self-confidence and its self-respect. Doing all of that, and leading America forward, will require strength of will, character and intellect, sober judgment and a cool, steady hand.
Mr. Obama has those qualities in abundance. Watching him being tested in the campaign has long since erased the reservations that led us to endorse Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primaries. He has drawn in legions of new voters with powerful messages of hope and possibility and calls for shared sacrifice and social responsibility.
Mr. McCain, whom we chose as the best Republican nominee in the primaries, has spent the last coins of his reputation for principle and sound judgment to placate the limitless demands and narrow vision of the far-right wing. His righteous fury at being driven out of the 2000 primaries on a racist tide aimed at his adopted daughter has been replaced by a zealous embrace of those same win-at-all-costs tactics and tacticians.
He surrendered his standing as an independent thinker in his rush to embrace Mr. Bush's misbegotten tax policies and to abandon his leadership position on climate change and immigration reform.
Mr. McCain could have seized the high ground on energy and the environment. Earlier in his career, he offered the first plausible bill to control America's emissions of greenhouse gases. Now his positions are a caricature of that record: think Ms. Palin leading chants of "drill, baby, drill."
Mr. Obama has endorsed some offshore drilling, but as part of a comprehensive strategy including big investments in new, clean technologies.
•
Mr. Obama has withstood some of the toughest campaign attacks ever mounted against a candidate. He's been called un-American and accused of hiding a secret Islamic faith. The Republicans have linked him to domestic terrorists and questioned his wife's love of her country. Ms. Palin has also questioned millions of Americans' patriotism, calling Republican-leaning states "pro-America."
This politics of fear, division and character assassination helped Mr. Bush drive Mr. McCain from the 2000 Republican primaries and defeat Senator John Kerry in 2004. It has been the dominant theme of his failed presidency.
The nation's problems are simply too grave to be reduced to slashing "robo-calls" and negative ads. This country needs sensible leadership, compassionate leadership, honest leadership and strong leadership. Barack Obama has shown that he has all of those qualities.

Quad-City Times Endorses Barack Obama: Ready to Lead

Zachary Scott Edwards — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:10:48 EDT

Ready to lead
By the Times Editorial Board
Experience or change? If we had a nickel every time each word was uttered in this presidential campaign, we could bail out the reckless lenders, cover the war debt and provide another stimulus package. Yet those two words don’t begin to cover the skills and attributes necessary in our next president.

What about temperament, judgment, decision-making and knowledge? How about stamina, education and ethics?

These are among the considerations that support our enthusiastic endorsement of Barack Obama for president of the United States.

Already, Obama’s appeal and campaign organization is leading the biggest voter turnout in history, bringing millions of new voters to the polls, thereby strengthening our democracy.

Already, Obama is demonstrating presidential leadership and demeanor, displaying steely calm against an avalanche of unfair attacks, distortions and distractions.

Already, Obama has erased any concerns we had during the caucus campaigns by earning the support of all of his primary opponents, and picking one of our favorites as his running mate.

The biggest change we’ve experienced since the caucuses is in our assessment of John McCain. The straight talk that won our caucus endorsement has been consumed by campaign doublespeak and some fairly awful decisions for the guy wearing the experience mantle. John McCain approved the messages that made Paris Hilton and Joe the Plumber campaign issues. These sly distractions seemed beneath a true hero who earned his reputation by avoiding such nonsense. Most troubling is his vice presidential pick. Sarah Palin’s populist appeal holds promise. Her soaring political career track from hockey mom to Alaska governor simply isn’t enough to merit the giant step to the Oval Office.

We don’t question her potential. But today, she clearly is not ready to assume the presidency.

Barack Obama is. He’s experienced America at many levels: his Kansas roots; diverse Hawaii; elite Harvard; south side Chicago.

He’s demonstrated civic responsibility at just as many levels: organizing in neighborhoods, politicking in Chicago, legislating in Springfield, debating in Congress and traveling internationally on diplomatic missions.

Where his experience comes up short, he has sought out help, including Republicans like U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Obama picked a running mate who could assume the presidency tomorrow.

All along, Obama has been unwavering in his assertion that Afghanistan, not Iraq, is the target in our war on terrorism. Helping the middle class, not betting on trickle-down tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, has been the consistent focus of his economic plan.

We support a presidential candidate predisposed toward reaching out to world leaders, not one entrenched in Cold War-style standoffs.

The clincher for us came in our Quad-City meetings with Obama as state senator, U.S. Senator and presidential candidate. In each instance, we’ve experienced consistent character, superior intellect, engaging curiosity and specific knowledge of our Quad-Cities.

We weren’t quite there last January when change began in Iowa. We are now.

We support Barack Obama for president.

Des Moines Register Editorial Board Endorses Barack Obama

Zachary Scott Edwards — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:59:50 EDT

Register editorial board endorses Obama for President
THE REGISTER'S EDITORIAL BOARD • OCTOBER 25, 2008

Barely two years into Barack Obama's first term as a U.S. senator, he launched an unlikely presidential candidacy imbued, he acknowledged, with a "certain audacity."

Casualties were mounting in Iraq, memories of the government's failed response to Hurricane Katrina still stung, and a majority of Americans told pollsters they believed the country was on the wrong track.

Yet in announcing his presidential bid, Obama outlined a bold, hopeful vision for America:

"Let us be the generation that reshapes our economy to compete in the digital age. ... Let's be the generation that ensures our nation's workers are sharing in our prosperity. ... Let's be the generation that ends poverty in America. ... Let's be the generation that finally tackles our health-care crisis. ... Let's be the generation that finally frees America from the tyranny of oil."

Critics immediately cast his talk of hope and change as naive and his lack of history on the national and international stage as too risky for the presidency.

First test: winning the Iowa caucuses, perceived by many as an improbable feat for a black candidate in an overwhelmingly white state. But Obama believed in the power of his ideas and ideals, and the capacity of Americans to unite around them.

Eleven months later, after more than 80 days spent campaigning in the state, Iowans awarded him victory. They had heard his soaring oratory and sensed his uncommon intelligence, but they also witnessed much more: the consistency of his calls for unifying around common purpose, rather than pandering to age-old divisions, and the way he remained unflappable and his staff disciplined no matter what tumult the campaign trail delivered.

Those qualities have become even more pronounced this fall, during an increasingly negative general-election campaign against Republican Sen. John McCain and descent of the nation's economy into the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. It has been Obama, not the more experienced McCain, who kept his center as events tilted crazily.

Obama has earned the Register's endorsement for the presidency because of his steadfastness in the face of uncertainty, his clear-eyed vision for a more just America and his potential for rallying the country to do great things.

Would work to strengthen the struggling middle class

Obama's life story embodies America's promise: that someone from modest means can study, work and get ahead. His parents - his mother from Kansas and his father from Kenya - divorced when he was a child. His grandparents helped raise him, and his mother made sure he studied hard. Eventually, he became the first black editor of the Harvard Law Review and graduated magna cum laude.

Before law school, though, he worked as a community organizer in Chicago and saw that for too many families, the American promise of opportunity had faded: Schools were poor, wages had stagnated and jobs had shifted overseas in a globalizing economy.

Since his first visits to Iowa, Obama has correctly emphasized improved public schools and greater access to college as the investment that will buoy the American economy long-term. He favors a progressive tax policy, taxing those at the very highest rungs of income a little more to provide a little more help to those on the bottom rungs.

In a speech more than a year ago, long before this fall's financial crisis, he decried the nation's rising income inequality and the notion "that the market will correct all our misfortunes, and that there's no problem that can't be solved by another tax break that the wealthy didn't need."

Neither Obama nor McCain is an expert on the economy. But Obama appropriately places emphasis on strengthening the middle class. And as a state senator in Illinois, in the U.S. Senate and through the rigors of the campaign, he has shown a willingness to seek others' advice, listen and strive for consensus - crucial characteristics in troubled times.

Other key parts of Obama's agenda would help shore up the middle class and the U.S. economy for decades to come: Expanding health-insurance coverage to more Americans will lessen the threat that illness will bring financial ruin. Pumping research dollars into developing clean alternatives to fossil fuels and investing in energy efficiency will maintain America's technological edge and create good-paying green-collar jobs.

McCain has run erratic, disappointing campaign

Judging by their records and statements, both Obama and McCain promise to correct the worst abuses of the Bush administration: its arrogant, go-it-alone approach to foreign policy and its insidious insistence that maintaining national security requires embrace of torture and sacrifice of fundamental civil liberties.

McCain, like Obama, brought an appealing personal history to the campaign. He's a genuine American hero, enduring 5 ½ years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam while refusing early release, serving more than 20 years in the Navy, and taking unconventional stands that often opposed his party and popular sentiment during a quarter century in Congress. The Register's editorial board endorsed McCain for the Republican nomination and looked forward to a serious-minded contest between competing ideologies and worthy foes.

But it's as if McCain has lost his way, forfeiting principle for gain of a few points in the polls. He put on hold his long-sought quest for comprehensive immigration reform. Though widely regarded as a man of honor, he has overseen a campaign premised on purposeful distortions about Obama and his record.

Worst of all, in grasping for political edge in his choice of a running mate, he burdened his ticket and potentially the country with an individual utterly unqualified to ascend to the presidency. Before choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain emphasized the importance of experience and sound judgment in fighting terrorism and confronting a restive Russia and a rising China. He has also questioned Obama's readiness to be commander in chief. Then he picked a running mate who clearly isn't ready.

An appeal to bridge divisions, tackle problems

There are other good arguments for Obama's election. The next president might make several Supreme Court nominations. Obama promises to appoint justices with an expansive view of constitutional rights and equal justice. McCain's appointments more likely would continue the court's conservative shift and threaten abortion rights, search-and-seizure protections and other individual liberties.

Obama also is committed to withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq as quickly and as safely as possible. McCain talks about winning and success, but says little about when troops will come home.

None of what Obama outlines will be easy, whether removing troops from Iraq without chaos or addressing climate change without stunting the economy.

In recent years, America has shrunk from big challenges, stymied by "the smallness of our politics" and "our chronic avoidance of tough decisions," as Obama put it in his announcement speech.

Tackling big problems will first require Americans to bridge divisions, he has said, and then roll up our sleeves.

That message continues to resonate with Iowans. In a September Iowa Poll, 54 percent of respondents rated Obama as the candidate who would be most successful in unifying the country, an 18-point edge over McCain.

When Obama first met with the Register's editorial board more than a year ago, he emphasized that when deciding to run, "I wasn't simply a young man in a hurry."

"I think there's this particular window right now where the country is hungry for change, and is also hungry to be brought together, as opposed to being driven apart," he said. "And I thought that the particular skills that I have, of bringing people from diverse backgrounds across lines of race or party or region or faith to focus on solving problems, was a particularly useful and needed skill right now."

Indeed, it is. An Obama presidency presents the best hope for a unified America that aspires to greatness again.

The Sound of Rush Limbaugh Eating His Own Heart

The Kozmic Kid — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:01:41 EDT

I have a confession. Sometimes I listen to Rush Limbaugh. Hey, it's only for a few minutes at a time, when I'm going out for lunch. In fact, I can only last a few minutes before I crack.

Today Rush was going on about all the traitors in the Republican party that have jumped ship for Obama. You know the names: Colin Powell, Chris Buckley, Scott McClelland, William Weld, Ken Adelman...and the list goes on.

Of course, his explanation is that all these guys are just trying to ingratiate themselves to the next President of the Unites States (that's Barack Obama, for those of you who haven't been paying attention). It's just in-con-ceiv-a-ble that they might actually want the better man to win. And what about Colin Powell? Last week that was all about race. And now it's because Secretary Powell wants to get invited to state dinners in an Obama administration? Rush, baby, which is it? Maybe all those other guys are really black and they've been passing all these years.

Rush even went so far as to recommend that Sarah Palin be named the head of the Republican party. I'd back that.

I kind of feel for ol' Rush. I'm sure this situation is setting up a conflict in his fevered little mind that he can't reconcile. Hey, Rush, if you're reading this, untie the half of your brain behind your back and put it to work. All those guys you're tearing into? They might just be onto something...

Reagan Appointee and (Recent) McCain Adviser Charles Fried Supports Obama

Jeremy Smith — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:56:42 EDT

The tied is turning as more Republican's are voting for Obama!

Charles Fried, a professor at Harvard Law School, has long been one of the most important conservative thinkers in the United States. Under President Reagan, he served, with great distinction, as Solicitor General of the United States. Since then, he has been prominently associated with several Republican leaders and candidates, most recently John McCain, for whom he expressed his enthusiastic support in January.

This week, Fried announced that he has voted for Obama-Biden by absentee ballot. In his letter to Trevor Potter, the General Counsel to the McCain-Palin campaign, he asked that his name be removed from the several campaign-related committees on which he serves. In that letter, he said that chief among the reasons for his decision "is the choice of Sarah Palin at a time of deep national crisis."

Fried is exceptionally thoughtful and principled; his vote for Obama is especially noteworthy.

NYT EDITORIAL - Barack Obama for President

Kelly Williams — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 08:33:36 EDT

October 24, 2008Hyperbole is the currency of presidential campaigns, but this year the nation’s future truly hangs in the balance.

The United States is battered and drifting after eight years of President Bush’s failed leadership. He is saddling his successor with two wars, a scarred global image and a government systematically stripped of its ability to protect and help its citizens — whether they are fleeing a hurricane’s floodwaters, searching for affordable health care or struggling to hold on to their homes, jobs, savings and pensions in the midst of a financial crisis that was foretold and preventable.

As tough as the times are, the selection of a new president is easy. After nearly two years of a grueling and ugly campaign, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has proved that he is the right choice to be the 44th president of the United States.

•

Mr. Obama has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early promises of hope and change. He has shown a cool head and sound judgment. We believe he has the will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this nation’s problems.

In the same time, Senator John McCain of Arizona has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of American politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and even hints of racism. His policies and worldview are mired in the past. His choice of a running mate so evidently unfit for the office was a final act of opportunism and bad judgment that eclipsed the accomplishments of 26 years in Congress.

Given the particularly ugly nature of Mr. McCain’s campaign, the urge to choose on the basis of raw emotion is strong. But there is a greater value in looking closely at the facts of life in America today and at the prescriptions the candidates offer. The differences are profound.

Mr. McCain offers more of the Republican every-man-for-himself ideology, now lying in shards on Wall Street and in Americans’ bank accounts. Mr. Obama has another vision of government’s role and responsibilities.

In his convention speech in Denver, Mr. Obama said, “Government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves: protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology.”

Since the financial crisis, he has correctly identified the abject failure of government regulation that has brought the markets to the brink of collapse.

The Economy

The American financial system is the victim of decades of Republican deregulatory and anti-tax policies. Those ideas have been proved wrong at an unfathomable price, but Mr. McCain — a self-proclaimed “foot soldier in the Reagan revolution” — is still a believer.

Mr. Obama sees that far-reaching reforms will be needed to protect Americans and American business.

Mr. McCain talks about reform a lot, but his vision is pinched. His answer to any economic question is to eliminate pork-barrel spending — about $18 billion in a $3 trillion budget — cut taxes and wait for unfettered markets to solve the problem.

Mr. Obama is clear that the nation’s tax structure must be changed to make it fairer. That means the well-off Americans who have benefited disproportionately from Mr. Bush’s tax cuts will have to pay some more. Working Americans, who have seen their standard of living fall and their children’s options narrow, will benefit. Mr. Obama wants to raise the minimum wage and tie it to inflation, restore a climate in which workers are able to organize unions if they wish and expand educational opportunities.

Mr. McCain, who once opposed President Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy as fiscally irresponsible, now wants to make them permanent. And while he talks about keeping taxes low for everyone, his proposed cuts would overwhelmingly benefit the top 1 percent of Americans while digging the country into a deeper fiscal hole.

National Security

The American military — its people and equipment — is dangerously overstretched. Mr. Bush has neglected the necessary war in Afghanistan, which now threatens to spiral into defeat. The unnecessary and staggeringly costly war in Iraq must be ended as quickly and responsibly as possible.

While Iraq’s leaders insist on a swift drawdown of American troops and a deadline for the end of the occupation, Mr. McCain is still talking about some ill-defined “victory.” As a result, he has offered no real plan for extracting American troops and limiting any further damage to Iraq and its neighbors.

Mr. Obama was an early and thoughtful opponent of the war in Iraq, and he has presented a military and diplomatic plan for withdrawing American forces. Mr. Obama also has correctly warned that until the Pentagon starts pulling troops out of Iraq, there will not be enough troops to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

Mr. McCain, like Mr. Bush, has only belatedly focused on Afghanistan’s dangerous unraveling and the threat that neighboring Pakistan may quickly follow.

Mr. Obama would have a learning curve on foreign affairs, but he has already showed sounder judgment than his opponent on these critical issues. His choice of Senator Joseph Biden — who has deep foreign-policy expertise — as his running mate is another sign of that sound judgment. Mr. McCain’s long interest in foreign policy and the many dangers this country now faces make his choice of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska more irresponsible.

Both presidential candidates talk about strengthening alliances in Europe and Asia, including NATO, and strongly support Israel. Both candidates talk about repairing America’s image in the world. But it seems clear to us that Mr. Obama is far more likely to do that — and not just because the first black president would present a new American face to the world.

Mr. Obama wants to reform the United Nations, while Mr. McCain wants to create a new entity, the League of Democracies — a move that would incite even fiercer anti-American furies around the world.

Unfortunately, Mr. McCain, like Mr. Bush, sees the world as divided into friends (like Georgia) and adversaries (like Russia). He proposed kicking Russia out of the Group of 8 industrialized nations even before the invasion of Georgia. We have no sympathy for Moscow’s bullying, but we also have no desire to replay the cold war. The United States must find a way to constrain the Russians’ worst impulses, while preserving the ability to work with them on arms control and other vital initiatives.

Both candidates talk tough on terrorism, and neither has ruled out military action to end Iran’s nuclear weapons program. But Mr. Obama has called for a serious effort to try to wean Tehran from its nuclear ambitions with more credible diplomatic overtures and tougher sanctions. Mr. McCain’s willingness to joke about bombing Iran was frightening.

The Constitution and the Rule of Law

Under Mr. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the justice system and the separation of powers have come under relentless attack. Mr. Bush chose to exploit the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, the moment in which he looked like the president of a unified nation, to try to place himself above the law.

Mr. Bush has arrogated the power to imprison men without charges and browbeat Congress into granting an unfettered authority to spy on Americans. He has created untold numbers of “black” programs, including secret prisons and outsourced torture. The president has issued hundreds, if not thousands, of secret orders. We fear it will take years of forensic research to discover how many basic rights have been violated.

Both candidates have renounced torture and are committed to closing the prison camp in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

But Mr. Obama has gone beyond that, promising to identify and correct Mr. Bush’s attacks on the democratic system. Mr. McCain has been silent on the subject.

Mr. McCain improved protections for detainees. But then he helped the White House push through the appalling Military Commissions Act of 2006, which denied detainees the right to a hearing in a real court and put Washington in conflict with the Geneva Conventions, greatly increasing the risk to American troops.

The next president will have the chance to appoint one or more justices to a Supreme Court that is on the brink of being dominated by a radical right wing. Mr. Obama may appoint less liberal judges than some of his followers might like, but Mr. McCain is certain to pick rigid ideologues. He has said he would never appoint a judge who believes in women’s reproductive rights.

The Candidates

It will be an enormous challenge just to get the nation back to where it was before Mr. Bush, to begin to mend its image in the world and to restore its self-confidence and its self-respect. Doing all of that, and leading America forward, will require strength of will, character and intellect, sober judgment and a cool, steady hand.

Mr. Obama has those qualities in abundance. Watching him being tested in the campaign has long since erased the reservations that led us to endorse Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primaries. He has drawn in legions of new voters with powerful messages of hope and possibility and calls for shared sacrifice and social responsibility.

Mr. McCain, whom we chose as the best Republican nominee in the primaries, has spent the last coins of his reputation for principle and sound judgment to placate the limitless demands and narrow vision of the far-right wing. His righteous fury at being driven out of the 2000 primaries on a racist tide aimed at his adopted daughter has been replaced by a zealous embrace of those same win-at-all-costs tactics and tacticians.

He surrendered his standing as an independent thinker in his rush to embrace Mr. Bush’s misbegotten tax policies and to abandon his leadership position on climate change and immigration reform.

Mr. McCain could have seized the high ground on energy and the environment. Earlier in his career, he offered the first plausible bill to control America’s emissions of greenhouse gases. Now his positions are a caricature of that record: think Ms. Palin leading chants of “drill, baby, drill.”

Mr. Obama has endorsed some offshore drilling, but as part of a comprehensive strategy including big investments in new, clean technologies.

•

Mr. Obama has withstood some of the toughest campaign attacks ever mounted against a candidate. He’s been called un-American and accused of hiding a secret Islamic faith. The Republicans have linked him to domestic terrorists and questioned his wife’s love of her country. Ms. Palin has also questioned millions of Americans’ patriotism, calling Republican-leaning states “pro-America.”

This politics of fear, division and character assassination helped Mr. Bush drive Mr. McCain from the 2000 Republican primaries and defeat Senator John Kerry in 2004. It has been the dominant theme of his failed presidency.

The nation’s problems are simply too grave to be reduced to slashing “robo-calls” and negative ads. This country needs sensible leadership, compassionate leadership, honest leadership and strong leadership. Barack Obama has shown that he has all of those qualities.

Navajo Nation Council Endorses Barack Obama and Joe Biden

Shayne Adamski — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:53:30 EDT

The campaign recently made the following announcement:

Tuesday, Senator Barack Obama accepted the endorsement of the Navajo Nation Council. The Council endorsed Obama and Senator Joe Biden on a vote of 59 to 21 at their fall legislative meeting. This endorsement is the latest of more than 100 tribal leaders, tribal organization and tribes that have endorsed Senators Obama and Biden.
Senator Obama said, "I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Navajo Nation. I look forward to partnering with Indian tribes, including the Navajo Nation, on a government-to-government basis, to address the special challenges facing tribes today, including access to affordable healthcare, economic development, energy independence, and education. Joe Biden and I look forward to working with the Navajo Nation and all of Indian Country to bring about the change we need."
The Navajo Nation is comprised of over 250,000 members on the largest federally recognized Native American Nation, located around Southeastern Utah, Northeastern Arizona and Northwestern New Mexico.

endorsements

j.b. — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:19:33 EDT

Re: the Colin powell endorsement, and to answer the cable news politicos who question how substantive it is and claim it is a one day event. It is not nothing. It's something. Powell's endorsement has swayed and tipped voters in a prior election. Gaining the endorsement, its a good thing.

Appealing to our better natures

Bev from Kenmore, WA — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:46:52 EDT

Former Secy. Gen. Colin Powell's reputation as a man of integrity and of the deepest respect for American values has long been established. It will be interesting to see how many Americans, even the American press, will understand the far-reaching significance of his words on "Meet The Press" last weekend. Considering the state of current world affairs, Powell recognizes that we as a nation are at a uniquely defining moment in modern world history. Our decision for president will inevitably affect the future of the planet, for good or for ill. This was the basis for his endorsement and he got right to the point and the heart of the matter when he spoke about the Republican-promoted attitude equating "Muslim", even Obama himself, with "terrorist". To bring this point home he described the photo of the grieving mother leaning on the headstone of her son's grave. He was a decorated solider in the U.S. Army and had served his country and died young. He was not a Christian or a Jew, but a Muslim who had offered his life for THIS COUNTRY.

Considering the growing complexity and instability of world affairs and it's affect on *all* of us, Powell was providing a wake-up call to the *real* issues at stake in this pivotal election. America's place in the world is highly influential in one way or another to every living person on the planet. We have the power to take down nations if we choose, and we have the power to significantly impact issues like world poverty, health and human rights. Attitudes like the ones McCain and the Republican party are espousing, and which Fox News is broadcasting day and night, may seems innocuous and "just politics" to some, but these are the very things that shape foreign policy and our attitudes toward the world, and which will determine the future of world history.

It's not just about whether we should end the Iraq war, or engage certain nations in diplomatic talks. It's about how we, as a nation, will address ourselves to the world in the next four years and beyond. Will we allow our actions to be driven by an underlying fear, hatred and extremism? Or will we stand up for, insist upon, even be defenders of Democracy in the highest sense of the word? Can unilateralism go on working indefinitely? (Just think about what pathway that puts the world on!) Or shall we seek to embody the vision that our country was founded on? A vision which, though we have struggled with it, we have always defended and grown in our understanding of -- that all humankind are created equal and have certain inalienable rights. It is this vision that constitutes America's greatest power, and which will ultimately determine the state of world affairs. And it is this same vision which swims the strong undercurrents of this election, threatening to pull us under in more ways than one.

The Las Cruces Sun-News endorses Barack

Shayne Adamski — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:16:07 EDT

On Satuday, the Las Cruces Sun-News endorsed Sen. Obama.

Read the article below, and share it with your friends and share your comments at the bottom of this post.

The Las Cruces Sun-News endorses Barack Obama for president of the United States.

Like many Americans, we would feel more comfortable with the Democratic nominee if we knew him a little better; if he had been on the national scene a little longer; if his résumé had been filled out a little more. But, we also share the belief of most Americans that our country is heading in the wrong direction and is in dire need of fundamental change.

A Gallup Poll released earlier this month showed just 9 percent of Americans said they're satisfied with the way things are going, the lowest ever in the 29 years Gallup has asked the question.

Our economy is teetering, with the stock market losing trillions of dollars in value in a single week, jeopardizing the retirement plans of millions of Americans. Unemployment is up, retail and home sales are down and economists warn of a long, continued downturn. Our military is bogged down in Iraq while terrorists are regrouping in Afghanistan. And, our ability to rally world support has been badly damaged by substantiated allegations of torture and by eight years of arrogance and indifference toward traditional allies.

John McCain, Obama's Republican opponent, is an honorable man who served our country with valor during the Vietnam war and has gone on to forge a Senate career best known for his work across party lines. It is not fair or accurate to suggest that McCain's election would represent a third Bush term.

But on the most fundamental issues we face, McCain is offering a tweak or a minor adjustment to current policy, when what is needed is an overhaul. He favors continuation of a tax plan that widens the gap between the very wealthy and the very poor, and a foreign policy that has been obsessed on Iraq at the expense of other trouble spots, including Afghanistan and Pakistan from where the 9-11 plot was orchestrated.

Obama cannot match his more experienced opponent in legislative accomplishments. The senator from Illinois burst onto the national scene four years ago with his stirring speech at the Democratic Convention. He announced his candidacy In February 2007, and went on to defeat a stellar field of Democratic contenders, including our own Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Hillary Clinton. Along the way, he has appeared in almost 30 debates, given hundreds of stump speeches and spoken with thousands of reporters.

While Obama's résumé may be thin, his talents and abilities are anything but. In the nearly two years since his announcement, Obama has inspired a flock of new voters who are excited about the U.S. political system for the first time in their lives. He has demonstrated steady leadership and a keen intellect at a time when those qualities are most needed.

Collin Powell - Obama Transformational Figure

jmarley — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:23:45 EDT

I wrote a posts a while ago about my thoughts of Senator Obama's Transformational Leadership Style. It is very awesome to see a person of History such as Powell mention similar observations and even more powerful, endorsing Senator Obama for his strong leadership style... Please, Vote Early, Vote by Mail and help anyone who needs help getting to the polls, GOD Speed.

-JM

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

General Colin Powell (Retired), Secretary of State 2001-2005, on Meet the
Press:

So when I look at all of this and I think back to my army career, we've got

two individuals. Either one of them could be a good president, but which is

the president that we need now? Which is the individual that serves the

needs of the nation for the next period of time? And I come to the

conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive

nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America,

because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities – and we have to take that

into account – as well as his substance – he has both style and substance –

he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional

president.

I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into

the ... onto the world stage and on the American stage and for that reason,

I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama.

Colin Powell endorsement

Frank — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:04:33 EDT

I thought the Colin Powell endorsement was extremely well thought-out and articulated, and showed the contemplation, service, patriotism, and gravity of Mr. Powell, and his words and sentiments were meaningful and lucid and a very fine endorsement of Obama. I like that he attested to Obama bringing everyone together and being for all americans. also i was glad the Mr Powell recognized the integrity and honor of mr Obama and his supporters.

Colin Powell Endorsement

Tonja — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:23:34 EDT

In case you did not catch "Meet the Press" here is a sample of Gen. Powell's words:

The Republican Powell, on NBC program "Meet the Press," said Obama had "met the standard" to be commander-in-chief "because of his ability to inspire" Americans of all ages and ethnic and political stripes.

"I think he would be a transformational president. For that reason I will be voting for Senator Barack Obama," said Powell, who was the first African-American to serve as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.

Should the mixed-race Obama win in just over two weeks, "all Americans should be proud, not just African-Americans," he added.

"It would not just electrify our country, it would electrify the world."

I was so moved by the General. He explained that his choice in picking obama was not race it's because he is the most qualified. I hope everyone gets a chance to see the full interview.

Win Missouri's Editorial Page Battle with this Amazing Free List from USNPL.com

Stephen Fox, Contributing Editor New Mexico Sun News — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:48:25 EDT

There's still time to win Missouri's Editorial Pages: Please use this list at usnpl.com; OpEdNews Compendium of Major Endorsements Thus Far

taken from this "LIVE URL": http://www.usnpl.com/monews.php

Newspapers
Click ( A ) for Newspaper address
Click ( C ) for County summary

Ashland Boone County Journal (A) (C)
Bethany Republican-Clipper (A) (C)
Bolivar Bolivar Herald-Free Press (A) (C)
Boonville Daily News (A) (C)
Bowling Green Bowling Green Times (A) (C)
Branson Branson Courier (A) (C)
Branson The Branson News (A) (C)
Brookfield Linn County Leader (A) (C)
Buffalo Buffalo Reflex (A) (C)
California California Democrat (A) (C)
Camdenton Lake Sun Leader (A) (C)
Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian (A) (C)
Carthage The Carthage Press (A) (C)
Caruthersville Democrat Argus (A) (C)
Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune (A) (C)
Columbia Columbia Daily Tribune (A) (C)
Columbia Columbia Missourian (A) (C)
Cuba Cuba Free Press (A) (C)
Dexter The Daily Statesman (A) (C)
El Dorado Springs El Dorado Springs Sun (A) (C)
Eldon Eldon Advertiser (A) (C)
Eldon Vernon Publishing Newspapers (A) (C)
Ellisville WestNews Magazine (A) (C)
Elsberry Elsberry Democrat (A) (C)
Eminence Shannon County Current Wave (A) (C)
Fulton Fulton Sun (A) (C)
Gainesville Ozark County Times (A) (C)
Gallatin Gallatin North Missourian (A) (C)
Gladstone Dispatch Tribune (A) (C)
Hamilton Caldwell County News (A) (C)
Hannibal Hannibal Courier-Post (A) (C)
Harrisonville Democrat-Missourian (A) (C)
Hermann Hermann Advertiser Courier (A) (C)
Houston Houston Herald (A) (C)
Independence The Examiner (A) (C)
Jackson Cash-Book Journal (A) (C)
Jamesport Tri-County Weekly (A) (C)
Jefferson City Jefferson City News Tribune (A) (C)
Joplin Joplin Business Journal (A) (C)
Joplin Joplin Globe (A) (C)
Joplin Joplin Independent (A) (C)
Kansas City Business Journal (A) (C)
Kansas City Kansas City Star (A) (C)
Kansas City PitchWeekly (A) (C)
Kennett Daily Dunklin Democrat (A) (C)
Kirksville Daily Express (A) (C)
Lamar Lamar Democrat (A) (C)
Laurie Highway Five Beacon (A) (C)
Lebanon Lebanon Daily Record (A) (C)
Lees Summit Lee's Summit Journal (A) (C)
Louisiana Louisiana Press Journal (A) (C)
Macon Chronicle-Herald (A) (C)
Marshall The Marshall Democrat-News (A) (C)
Marshfield Marshfield Mail (A) (C)
Maryville Nodaway News Leader (A) (C)
Memphis Memphis Democrat (A) (C)
Mexico The Mexico Ledger (A) (C)
Moberly Monitor-Index/Evening Democrat (A) (C)
Monett The Monett Times (A) (C)
Monroe City The Lake Gazette (A) (C)
Mound City Mound City News (A) (C)
Neosho Neosho Daily News (A) (C)
Nevada Nevada Daily Mail (A) (C)
New Haven New Haven Leader (A) (C)
Nixa Nixa News-Enterprise (A) (C)
Ozark Christian County Headliner (A) (C)
Paris The Monroe County Appeal (A) (C)
Park Hills The Daily Journal (A) (C)
Perryville Republic-Monitor (A) (C)
Piedmont Wayne County Journal-Banner (A) (C)
Pineville McDonald County Press (A) (C)
Platte City Platte County Citizen (A) (C)
Platte City The Landmark Newspaper (A) (C)
Poplar Bluff Daily American Republic (A) (C)
Richland Richland Mirror (A) (C)
Richmond Richmond Daily News (A) (C)
Rock Port Atchison County Mail (A) (C)
Rolla Rolla Daily News (A) (C)
Saint Joseph St. Joseph News-Press (A) (C)
Saint Louis Chinese American News (A) (C)
Saint Louis St. Louis American Newspaper (A) (C)
Saint Louis St. Louis Business Journal (A) (C)
Saint Louis St. Louis Post-Dispatch (A) (C)
Saint Louis The Riverfront Times (A) (C)
Saint Louis The Suburban Journals (A) (C)
Saint Louis The Vital VOICE (A) (C)
Saint Robert Pulaski County Democrat (A) (C)
Sainte Genevieve The Herald (A) (C)
Sedalia Sedalia Democrat (A) (C)
Sedalia Sedalia News-Journal (A) (C)
Sikeston Standard Democrat (A) (C)
Springfield Community Free Press (A) (C)
Springfield News-Leader (A) (C)
Springfield Springfield Business Journal (A) (C)
Steelville Star - Mirror (A) (C)
Stover Morgan County Press (A) (C)
Sullivan Sullivan News (A) (C)
Sullivan The Sullivan Journal (A) (C)
Tipton Tipton Times (A) (C)
Troy Lincoln County Journal (A) (C)
Tuscumbia Miller County Autogram-Sentinel (A) (C)
Vandalia Vandalia Leader (A) (C)
Versailles Versailles Leader-Statesman (A) (C)
Warrensburg digitalBURG.com (A) (C)
Washington Washington Missourian (A) (C)
Washington WashMo.com (A) (C)
Waynesville The Daily Guide (A) (C)
Webster Groves Times Newspapers (A) (C)
West Plains Daily Quill (A) (C)

College Newspapers
Drury University The Drury Mirror
Missouri Southern St. Univ The Chart
Missouri St. Univ The Standard
Missouri Western Griffon News
Missouri-Rolla Miner
Northwest Missouri NW Missourian Daily
Southwest Baptist Omnibus Online
St. Louis Univ University News
SW Missouri State Southwest Standard
Truman State New Media Index
Univ of Missouri The Current
Univ of Missouri The Greek Chronicle
Univ of Missouri The Maneater
Univ of Missouri University News
Washington Univ Student Life Online
Webster Univ The Webster Journal

Editorial Page Victories clarify: Obama will win 2-1 in Electoral College! 4
part compendium---Endorsements at OpEdNews: Washington Post, Houston,
Detroit, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Salt Lake,
Philadelphia, Portland, Bangor, Sacramento, Kansas City (4 former Red States)

OpEdNews has been the site of choice to post the growing list of major and
minor newspaper endorsements for Obama. The Editorials are quoted generally
in full, with interspliced commentaries from major editors and commentators,
explaining what is behind the Editorials.

Part I Obama's Editorial Endorsements: including Washington Post, Fidel
Castro, Richard Lugar, Chuck Hagel, & more!

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Obama-s-Endorsements-The-by-Stephen-Fox-081016-633.html

*******

Part II Editorial Page Endorsements of Obama Denver Post, Chicago Tribune,
San Francsico Chronicle, Los Angeles Times

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Editorial-Page-Endorsement-by-Stephen-Fox-081017-544.html

********

Part III New Endorsements: Salt Lake City Tribune, Bangor and Brunswick,
Maine, Philadelphia, Miami, Portland, Kansas City

http://www.opednews.com/articles/EndorspLements-Salt-Lake-Ci-by-Stephen-Fox-081018-476.html

********

More Obama Endorsements IV: Sacramento, Katie Couric, Malaysia, Houston
Chronicle, Detroit, Waco Tx (sort of)

http://www.opednews.com/articles/More-Obama-Endorsements-IV-by-Stephen-Fox-081019-492.html

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO COMMENT AND SHARE YOUR INSIGHTS, which become a
vital part of a larger on-going dialogue.

Thank you,

Stephen Fox
Founder, New Millennium Fine Art
Contributing Editor New Millennium Fine Art
Santa Fe, NM

Colin Powell's Endorsement

Deirdre — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:27:53 EDT

WOW!!

Colin Powell has endorsed Barack Obama!

That's just absolutely wonderful!

It is so nice that General Powell had the luxury to sit back and watch months of Democratic and Republican Party infighting during the primaries...and not make an endorsement. That he could know who the prospective Democratic and Republican Presidential nominees selected as their running-mates...and not make an endorsement. To see delegates at the different conventions nominate their Presidential candidates and hear those candidates' acceptance speeches...and not make an endorsement. To see the public's enthusiasm and fervor for a candidate like none other before...and not make an endorsement. To lean back all comfy and watch all of the Presidential and vice-Presidential debates...and not make an endorsement. To be able to follow the daily/weekly polls showing a certain candidate maintaining the top position over a period of months...and not make an endorsement, until 2 weeks before the election.

Perhaps one shouldn't be so hard on Colin Powell. Perhaps this is an attempt at atonement for choosing to go before the world, at the UN, where he was trusted and respected to present bogus intelligence information as a motive for a war, rather than resigning. A war which has so far killed 4,629 Americans (http://www.antiwar.com/casualties) and 1,273,378 Iraqis (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/iraq/iraqdeaths.html). Perhaps he now wants to do something on the side of humanity by supporting Senator Obama who was opposed to the war from the start.

Let me clearly state that I in no way am representing the opinions of the Obama/Biden campaign. Senator Obama is one who is truly blessed to be humble and appreciative in all circumstances. He is quoted as saying that he is “ ...beyond honored and deeply humbled to have the support of General Colin Powell” Unfortunately, I am not as blessed as the Senator. I say, go home General Powell. Go home and piddle around with your classic Volvos. Your eleventh hour endorsement is not needed. I doubt if anyone is impressed that you, a Republican, have 'turned' against your party and endorsed a Democrat. Many dedicated Republicans put aside partisan politics long-ago and chose to support Senator Obama. We, the supporters of Senator Obama, are comprised of Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and 'Others'. That union beyond party lines is one of the greatest strengths of this campaign.

Most Obama supporters are not former Secretaries of State nor are we all retired four-star generals. However, we have shown true bravery during this Presidential campaign. We made our endorsements with only hope on our side, not probability. We have risked out jobs our property, and in some our cases safety to openly show our support for Senator Obama. Supporters overcame fear and shyness to knock on the doors of strangers and cold call thousands of potential voters.

We are real people facing real issues who needed to choose the candidate that we believe can improve our lives and improve our country. We had to get behind that candidate, Senator Obama, when it made a difference. Few of us have public name recognition or access to the media nevertheless, we endorsed Senator Obama to our friends, family, neighbors, and even to total strangers. We took time from our jobs and families, scrimped to donate money that we really didn't have, and gave it to the campaign in the knowledge that through our efforts we might be able to change America for the better. We supported Senator Obama when a successful candidacy seemed like an impossible dream. We did it because it was right not because it was convenient.

So General Powell, remember that the only way Senator Obama could get to the point where it is now in your best interest to bestow him with your endorsement is because millions before you have already given him theirs.

Colin Powell's Blessing

Phil In the Cuse — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:52:44 EDT

In a singular moment of class, grace, and eloquence, General Colin Powell gave Barack Obama the most important endorsement yet in this election cycle.

Just about every other famous person in America had weighed in on this contest already. And while newspaper endorsements run heavily on Barack's side (thank you Washington Post, L.A. Times, both Chicago newspapers, Denver Post, NY Daily News et al), they just don't carry much weight beyond the communities that read them.

Powell is a whole different matter. He had manifestly stayed on the sidelines, the ultimate undecided voter in this great land of ours, deeply admiring both Barack and John McCain for different reasons, and genuinely torn about whom to choose.

First and foremost, you have to understand that Colin Powell is a soldier. A chance to serve his country helped him rise from his humble origins in the Bronx to becoming a hero to all of us, especially in his term as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he helped forge the brilliant military strategy that won the First Gulf War in 1991.

Really, Powell was Barack Obama not so long ago. When his autobiography came out in 1995, a popular clamor erupted that he run for president. I have no doubt in my mind that, had he done so, Powell would have trounced Bill Clinton. But his wife, Alma, talked him out of it, maybe fearing the exact sort of racial tension Barack is facing right now.

He declared himself a Republican, hoping that his stature and open-minded ideas could be accepted in the GOP. He would soon find out otherwise, like when he spoke at the GOP convention in 2000 and derided opponents of affirmative action from the stage and got some boos for it.

Powell was, and is, a pioneer for all that he has accomplished, and when he was chosen by George W. Bush to be Secretary of State, it was supposed to be the culmination of his career of exemplary service to this country.

Instead, Powell became the forgotten man in a hungry administration chock full of Neocons all too eager to rush to war in Iraq after the 9/11 attacks. Worse yet, he made the public presentation claiming Saddam Hussein had WMDs in front of the United Nations Security Council. Since we found out later that it was all a big lie, Powell was vilified, tarnished, some on the left willing to erase everything else he had done because of this terrible mistake.

What they forgot, of course, was that Powell himself agonized about the war. As we found out later in Bob Woodward's books, Powell, who knew something about war others in Bush's administration did not, tried all he could to stop the downhill train. But he was outnumbered by Cheney, Rumsfeld and the Neocons, and ultimately had to accept the role he had eagerly embraced his whole life - that of the good soldier.

Not a day goes by, I'm sure, that Powell doesn't agonize about Iraq and the consequences of what he and others produced. Maybe that's why today, on "Meet the Press", when he emerged to say that he was supporting Barack Obama, he told a story to illustrate his point.

He spoke of a picture taken at Arlington National Cemetery, our nation's most hallowed ground, where a young soldier, just 20, had just been buried after being killed in action in Iraq. He had all the important information on his gravestone - the day he was born, the day he died, the service he rendered and the medals he won.

Above it all was not a Christian cross, or a Star of David, but a crescent moon. This fallen soldier was a Muslim, born and raised in New Jersey, who had served for - and died for - his country, the United States of America, just the same as millions of Christians and Jews and men of all other faiths had done.

How could any person tell this soldier's family that, because they worship Allah, they somehow are not American or that they're a danger to our country? Yet that is exactly what they say about Barack Obama, a Christian, for no other reason than the fact that he has a funny-sounding name and, well, he's African-American.

Better than just about any man in this country, Colin Powell has lived the American Dream, and understands exactly what it entails - the idea that any person, from any background, can make it in the United States. He has seen how great we can be, and he wants that for us again.

Of all the many reasons he gave today for supporting Barack, what stood out was his correct observation that Barack has electrified the young voters in this country and has the potential to inspire the world, too - in stark contrast to the relentless negativity of John McCain and his Republican allies, who seem more interested in stopping Barack by any means necessary than in helping this country.

We live in extraordinary times, and this is the most extraordinary election of our lives. And it is such a great blessing, and confirmation of the postiive movement for change we have built, that Colin Powell is supporting Barack Obama, giving our argument even more moral weight. Now we have 16 days to reward the good general's faith with a victory at the polls.

YES WE CAN!!

General Colin Powell endorses Barack!

Josh In Michigan — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:01:49 EDT

This morning on Meet the Press, General Colin Powell (ret.) endorsed Barack Obama. Powell has served his country with distinction as a member of the Army for 35 years (including service for Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton as National Security Advisor and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), and as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush. A Republican, Powell endorsed Barack saying:

I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities--and we have to take that into account--as well as his substance--he has both style and substance--he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president. I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the world--onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama.

Michigan: with sixteen days left until the most important election in our lifetimes, our time is now! Join with General Powell to create real change we can believe in. Stop by your local Campaign for Change office today to get active in your community, or visit our online action center. Together, we can create the government we deserve - but only with your help!

Powell endorsement, and the responsibilities of dissenters

Dr. Jeffrey Kargel — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:22:12 EDT

The eloquent endorsement on NBC's Meet the Press by General Colin Powell of Barack Obama for President is a strong statement of the problems besetting the McCain-Palin team, the Republican record of the last 8 years and their agenda for the next 4. I would have a higher regard for General Powell, as I once had, if he had explained better something about his failure, during the 2001-2005 Bush term, to push the Powell Doctrine harder than he did. Furthermore, General Powell could add a bullet to his Doctrine that inteligence in matters of war and peace is so critical that it must be vetted by engineers, scientists, military experts, intelligence experts, the Congress, the media, and the public, with critical assessments solicited and weighed. This doesn't mean that power to wage war is put into hands other than the President and Congress, or that all national technical means and human intelligence sources must be exposed-- obviously not. But enough information must be put out to the public, and enough discussion and scrutiny encouraged-- publicly and certainly behind closed doors within the Administration and Congress-- that an informed and smart decision to wage war (or not) is made. It may be inconvenient, it may slow things down a bit, but it can save us from thousands of lives and a trillion dollars thrown away needlessly, all the economic fallout from that waste, all the military weakness that failed wars cause, and all the deterioration of respect and honor that unjustified wars cost. Colin Powell would do the next President a great service by pointing out that sometimes more vetting of intelligence is better than ramrodded hasty decision making based on how we assume the world is. There is some evidence that General Powell was a dissenter in some respects regarding the war planning. Informed, expert dissenters carry special responsibilities which I am not sure General Powell carried out. If he can clarify this, he might regain the highest respect as a military and diplomatic leader that he once had in this country and around the world.

Colin Powell's lesson in civic education ...

Martin Edwin "Mick" from Churchton, MD — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:07:09 EDT

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/261355http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/261355

BREAKING NEWS: Colin Powell Says He Is Voting For Obama

Colin Powell did indeed endorse Illinois Democrat Barack Obama for President. ... he called John McCain a friend and a capable individual who would do a job as president, but that he feels the country needs a generational shift that Barack Obama can provide. He also expressed dissappontment with the McCain campaigns tactic of attempting to tie Barack Obama to william Ayers, and the fact that they were labeling the Democrat as a socialist.

He also specifically sighted his displeasure with Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann's statements that the Democratic members of Congress should be investigated for their anti-American views....

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5goINYNQHy_vv8cBCBiZYaDYakrKA

Obama wins Colin Powell's vote

... He had harsh words about the tone of McCain's campaign and rising Islamophobia in Republican circles as smears purport to portray Obama as a secret Muslim.

"I have said to Mr McCain that I admire all he has done. I have some concerns about the direction the party has taken in recent years. It has moved more to the right than I would like to see it," he said.

McCain had gone "too far" with a negative advertising barrage over Obama's ties to former 1960s radical William Ayers, Powell said.

He said the economic crisis engulfing the United States had made up his mind, along with McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Palin as his vice presidential nominee.

"In the case of Mr McCain I found that he was a little unsure as to how to deal with the economic problems that we are having. Almost every day there was a different approach to the problem, and that concerned me," he said.

"I was also concerned at the selection of Governor Palin," he said. "I don't believe she is ready to be president of the United States. And so that raised in my mind some question as to the judgment that Senator McCain made."

Powell said that Obama, in contrast, had come out of recent weeks looking presidential.

"He displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at (economic) problems like this, and picking a vice president (Joseph Biden) that I think is ready to be president on day one."

Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama for president

Dave — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:45:47 EDT

Colin Powell, one of the great military leaders of our time, has endorsed Barack Obama for president. Powell's endorsement more than refutes McCain's allegation that Obama is not ready for leading the nation. Obama is ready to be president, America is ready for change!!!

Powell short bio:

* 4-star General and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, for Bush #41

* Created and Proved the Powell Doctrine in the first Gulf War: Use all diplomatic levers of power first to presuade your enemies, and lastly, use military power, but do so from an overwhelming position of strength with clear mission objectives (avoiding mission creep) and exist strategy. Unfortunately, the Bush administration heeded none of the lessons of Vietnam in going to war with Iraq in 2003.

* Secretary of State for Bush #43 -Gave his unfortunate presentation to the U.S. Security Council in February 5, 2003 in making the case for the Bush Admin to attack Iraq.

From the Associated Press:

Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama for president

By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press Writer | October 19, 2008

WASHINGTON --Former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president Sunday, describing the Illinois senator as a "transformational figure."

Powell said both Obama and Republican John McCain are qualified to be commander in chief. But he said Obama is better suited to handle the nation's economic problems as well as help improve its standing in the world.

"It isn't easy for me to disappoint Sen. McCain in the way that I have this morning, and I regret that," Powell said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"But I firmly believe that at this point in America's history, we need a president that will not just continue, even with a new face and with the changes and with some maverick aspects, who will not just continue basically the policies that we have been following in recent years," Powell said.

"I think we need a transformational figure. I think we need a president who is a generational change and that's why I'm supporting Barack Obama, not out of any lack of respect or admiration for Sen. John McCain."

Powell's endorsement has been much anticipated because he is a Republican with impressive foreign policy credentials. At the same time, he is a black man and Obama would be the nation's first black president.

Powell said he was cognizant of the racial aspect of his endorsement, but said that was not the dominant factor in his decision. If it was, he said, he would have made the endorsement months ago.

Powell served as secretary of state in President Bush's first term, and helped make the case before the United Nations for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003. A retired general, Powell also was the nation's top military commander, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the first Gulf war under President George H.W. Bush.

McCain said he disagreed that Obama is qualified to be president.

"We have a respectful disagreement," McCain, interviewed on "Fox News Sunday," said of Powell.

Powell said McCain has been a good friend for 25 years. But Powell expressed disappointment in the negative tone of McCain's campaign, as well as in his choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential nominee.

"I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States," Powell said.

Powell said he does not plan to campaign for Obama.

Two Major Newspaper Endorsements for Obama in New Hampshire

Anne Marie @ NH HQ — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:44:41 EDT

Both the Nashua Telegraph and the Concord Monitor's editorial boards endorsed Barack today, echoing Barack's support among Granite Staters.

Below are clips from the editorials. Full remarks can be found on the Nashuatelegraph.com and the ConcordMonitor.com.

Today, we endorse Barack Obama in his historic bid to become the 44th president of the United States of America. At this critical point in the nation's 232-year history, the young senator from Illinois is the right person at the right time to lead this country back to its former greatness and standing in the world community.

At first, like many Americans, our initial attraction to Obama as a presidential candidate was influenced by his extraordinary speaking skills, which he has used to inspire millions all across the country.

But we were equally impressed when we met with him a little more than a year ago in the TV studios of Nashua High School South. (The video is available for viewing at www.nhprimary.com).

From the moment we opened the session by asking him to detail his strategy for removing U.S. troops from Iraq, Obama answered our questions with a thoughtfulness that transcended the talking-point responses we heard from other candidates.

But, given everything that is at stake, we have confidence that he would rise to the challenge, much as he has done at other key stages of his life, and use his considerable leadership skills to build consensus toward the public good.
Read the full article...

The choice could not be clearer. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois should be this nation's next president. As the first African American to hold the highest office in the land, Obama would make history and instantly remake America's image abroad. But that is not why he deserves to win. Obama has the temperament, judgment, ideas and vision to be president. Despite his decades of experience and heroic history, John McCain is not the right candidate for this moment.

No decision highlights this difference more starkly than McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. Unlike Obama's choice for vice president, Sen. Joe Biden, Palin is unqualified, profoundly so, to hold either of the nation's top two offices.

Obama's considerable skills are augmented by his intelligence and his ability to inspire. All of that will be necessary to tackle problems that have grown to seem insurmountable over the past eight years. Serious people are talking about the end of America's supremacy as the world's leading economic power. The nation's young assume that they will not be as well-off as their parents. Unless the nation changes course quickly, their parents fear they could be right.
Read the full article...

General Powell Closes the Deal

ted in pdx — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:19:39 EDT

(Posted to the Washington Post, October 19, 2008):

As a Republican (speaking on behalf of my fellow prisoners), my sense of humor has been taxed at a higher rate than ever before by the pronouncements of our party's nominee and the actions of the RNC. When I heard Senator McCain suggest that obviously bogus voter registration forms were "tearing at the fabric of democracy", I immediately wondered whether it was the fabric of democracy that was really at risk, or perhaps instead it was the unraveling of his ego and the demise of his personal ambition that he was most concerned about. Now, the RNC, faced with the remarkable fact that 3-million ordinary citizens have destroyed the hegemony of millionaires (and billionaires) over campaign finance, sounds the alarm that there might be a conspiracy at it's root.

On the same news day, one of the most respected members of our party, Colin Powell, endorses Senator Obama, and condemns the smorgasboard of cheap shots and smears that have been the core of John McCain's campaign strategy. General Powell very appropriately identified the latest incendiary charge, that "Obama is a Socialist..." as yet another example of a fundamental defect in Senator McCain's campaign strategy. He also went on record regards Senator McCain's selection of Gov. Palin as his running mate, and the simple and obvious fact that Gov. Palin does not meet any reasonable minimum standard of qualification to step in to the office of President of this nation.

I am relieved. I've been wasting hours every day trying to make these points from a Republican perspective. Now that General Powell has calmly articulated these compelling arguments, I think I can go back to my day job, and hope that other members of my party who place intellectual honesty above party dogma, will carefully consider General Powell's comments when they are face to face with the ballot they will cast for this election.

Another Strong Republican Endorsement Colin Powell Endorses Obama

Scott A. Giordano — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:16:24 EDT

Powell notes that Obama will bring transformational change and provide steady leadership ...

Obama Draws 100,000 in St Louis

Dave — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:33:15 EDT

There is nothing like finishing a long race with a big kick, and that is exactly what Barack appears to be doing. Even Obama was awed by the crowd that greeted him Saturday in St Louis, estimated to be 100,000 people by the local police. Missouri has been leaning towards McCain until recently, but now is officially a toss-up state, a state who's citizens usually pick the President. Obama has momentum in Missouri!

Helping in Missouri is the St Louis Post-Dispatch's endorsement of Obama for President. In their endorsement, the paper said:

Given the damage that has been done to America's moral standing in the world in the last eight years — by a preemptory war, a unilateralist foreign policy and by policies that have treated both the Geneva Conventions and our own Bill of Rights as optional — Mr. Obama's election would help America reclaim the moral high ground.

It also must be said that Mr. Obama is right on the issues. He was right on the war in Iraq. He is right that all Americans deserve access to health care and right in his pragmatic approach to meeting that goal. He is right on tax policy, infrastructure investment, energy policy and environmental issues. He is right on American ideals.

He was right when he said in his remarkable speech in March in Philadelphia that "In the end, then, what is called for is nothing more, and nothing less, than what all the world's great religions demand: that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let us be our brother's keeper, Scripture tells us. Let us be our sister's keeper. Let us find that common stake we all have in one another, and let our politics reflect that spirit as well."

Conservative Defections and the Liberal Media Myth

Brian Normoyle — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:15:20 EDT

In a FOX News interview Friday, John McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds complained about media scrutiny of "Joe the Plumber"--the newest character in the three-act farce that has become their campaign. Of course, McCain's "old buddy Joe" and the veracity of his narrative would have merely been a passing blip on media radar had the campaign not thoughtlessly forced him front-and-center in the final presidential debate as just another prop in their play. Bounds huffed and puffed about "[Barack Obama's] allies in the media"--otherwise known as journalists doing their job--but in so doing, he forgot McCain has a penchant for throwing otherwise ordinary persons under the bus by not properly vetting their "compelling" narratives before pitching them headfirst into the gladiator arena of national politics. If the campaign had done its job the way journalists are now trying to do theirs in this election, most of us would never have heard of Sarah Palin or Joe the Plumber.

One can hardly fault campaign surrogates for attempting to discredit the media and label them as biased, liberal or "in-the-tank" for Obama. The cultural myth of a liberal mainstream media is dubious, but conservatives have successfully framed political discourse for decades by propagating it among a credulous base.

This time, however, it seems terribly desperate and utterly disingenuous to denigrate journalists for doing something McCain should have done days earlier--and with respect to Sarah Palin--months earlier. At this point in a flailing and increasingly erratic campaign, the tactic of complaining about a liberal media bias is as futile as is it trite. But more importantly, it belies a more significant and insurmountable problem for the campaign: apostate conservatives. Traditional media conservatives are abandoning John McCain like rats deserting a sinking ship. Andrew Sullivan questioned his integrity, Peggy Noonan and Kathleen Parker his judgment. William Kristol advocated McCain fire his entire campaign and start from scratch and even Charles Krauthammer seemed perplexed by his frenetic behavior while admitting Obama passes the Reagan presidential-mettle test. Stinging as those resounding critiques may be, and they certainly have a bite, the final nail in McCain's campaign coffin may have been hammered in by conservative endorsements of his opponent.
Andrew Bacevich endorsed Obama in March and Wick Allison did it in September. Then there were the two iconic Christophers: recently Hitchins and last week Buckley, son of National Review founder William F. Buckley, who is widely credited as the father of modern conservatism. Hitchins endorsed Obama Monday in a rebuke of McCain's temperament and character, while Buckley cost himself a job at his late father's magazine by announcing he will vote for a Democrat for the first time in his life when he pulls the lever for Obama in November.

The nation also heard Thursday from David Brooks and Friday the Chicago-Tribune endorsed a Democrat for president for the first time in the 160-year history of the paper. As if it couldn't get any worse for McCain, we're likely to hear the revered Colin Powell offer his support, if not a full-throated endorsement, of Obama on Meet the Press Sunday morning.

With just over two weeks to go until the election, this repudiation by the right-of-center punditocracy doesn't bode well for a candidate who was never a darling of conservatives to begin with--particularly among the evangelical right. Does this mean McCain has already lost the election? No. There exists a real possibility for a McCain squeaker, though getting there will be an uphill war (not battle) at this point.

What it does mean is that Republicans will not be able to blame a mythical liberal media for their failure to energize the electorate. I have long considered the specter of a liberal media to be a fable born of paranoia. Invented as a strategy to win elections, it later became a defense against potential Republican failure and a tagline to foment mistrust among the electorate. But when used to perpetuate a patrician v. plebeian mentality, it's a script perfect for aiding campaigns that win and justifying those that don't.

Casting themselves as the underdog party of Jesus, small government and real patriotism, Republicans claim to fight for the common man while they brand academics and journalists as biased, elitist pigs (instant snobbery, just add education). Then they rehash the hackneyed line about liberals and how much better they think they are than the working-class, and the result is a seemingly impervious battleship of electoral dominance. That is until reality seeps in and that ship starts to sink, leaving many heretofore stalwart conservatives to reverse course or jump ship altogether.

If McCain fails to win in November, the campaign will have the sellout himself to blame, along with several other parties. This year, however, the imaginary liberal media will not be one of them.

A Real Surprise of an Endorsement for Obama. THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE!

M. Weber — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:12:25 EDT

Here are the 2 most important quotes from the Tribune's endorsement:

Many Americans say they're uneasy about Obama. He's pretty new to them.

We can provide some assurance. We have known Obama since he entered politics a dozen years ago. We have watched him, worked with him, argued with him as he rose from an effective state senator to an inspiring U.S. senator to the Democratic Party's nominee for president.

This endorsement makes some history for the Chicago Tribune. This is the first time the newspaper has endorsed the Democratic Party's nominee for president.

Read the full endorsement at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-chicago-tribune-endorsement,0,1371034.story

I am so pleased to be from the great State of Illinois!!!

Jeff — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:35:52 EDT

I just read the endorsement of Barack Obama by the Chicago Tribune -- and tears welled up as I recalled my childhood and life there. It would be hard to get me to move out of my wonderful condo on the ocean here in San Diego, but I am glad that is where I am from.

I was born in the "Land of Lincoln" -- Springfield, Illinois. The history of the nation is constantly re-enforced daily when you are there...the fight for the soul of the nation during the Civil War and the scourge of slavery that stained our nation...the heroic manner in which Abraham Lincoln seized the moment and made us focus on our better nature, and the way he gave his life for his beliefs and our future.

From the lovely rolling hills and lakes in the southern part of the state, through the ocean of crops in the center, to the magnificence of Chicago and the Great Lakes in the north, the state and its people represent to me the beauty and heart of our country.

I am so pleased to be from the great State of Illinois!!!

J

Los Angeles Times Endorses Obama for President

Sarah Gallagher — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:00:29 EDT

Today, the LA Times announced their endorsement of Barack Obama for president, touting him as "the competent, confident leader who represents the aspirations of the United States."

11:01 AM PDT, October 17, 2008

It is inherent in the American character to aspire to greatness, so it can be disorienting when the nation stumbles or loses confidence in bedrock principles or institutions. That's where the United States is as it prepares to select a new president: We have seen the government take a stake in venerable private financial houses; we have witnessed eight years of executive branch power grabs and erosion of civil liberties; we are still recovering from a murderous attack by terrorists on our own soil and still struggling with how best to prevent a recurrence.

We need a leader who demonstrates thoughtful calm and grace under pressure, one not prone to volatile gesture or capricious pronouncement. We need a leader well-grounded in the intellectual and legal foundations of American freedom. Yet we ask that the same person also possess the spark and passion to inspire the best within us: creativity, generosity and a fierce defense of justice and liberty.

The Times without hesitation endorses Barack Obama for president.

THE WASHINGTON POST ENDORSES SENATOR OBAMA!!!

Denise from Medford — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:25:56 EDT

GOOD MORNING! Follow this link to read the announcement in today's Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603436.html?nav=hcmodule

Now that ought to send you out with a smile on your face! Please take time this weekend to canvass and phonebank! Here in Medford, our office is at 105 E. Main Street. Drop by or call to find out how you can help: (541)227-5107.

Have an awesome day!

Denise

Joe the plumber's union endorses Obama

Jonathan from Acton, MA — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:37:32 EDT

Dan Rodricks of the Baltimore Sun says that John McCain's repeated mentions of an Ohio guy -- Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher -- failed to land a knockout blow. Partly that's because, as Obama pointed out, McCain's math does not add up. But there's another reason: many "regular Joe" plumbers across the country are rooting for Obama.

Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 12 in Boston has a message: Go Obama. These plumbers from my hometown have officially endorsed Barack Obama for President.

But these are not the only plumbers to endorse Obama. Check this out. The United Association (UA) became the first International Union to endorse Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. Who does UA represent? Plumbers like Joe.

EchodHaiti.com Endorses Barack Obama

Ginau from Olney, MD — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:01:52 EDT

      As America decides whether to elect its first Black president in its more than two hundred year history, we as Haitians, in our more than two hundred year history, are no strangers to Black presidents, Black Prime Ministers or Black Emperors for that matter. Our history of democracy is much shorter, but the decisions have not been made based on race.
       EchodHaiti.com and HaitianDiaspora.com endorse Barack Hussein Obama for President of the United States of America in the 2008 elections. For, as Haitian-Americans, we believe he is the better man to lead the U.S. in its Time for Change.

17 Newspapers Endorse Obama, 2 McCain

Stephanie Williams — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:13:16 EDT

Published: October 13, 2008 5:30 PM ET updated Monday

NEW YORK Barack Obama picked up at least 17 newspaper endorsements this weekend, including six in swing states Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, and Missouri. John McCain, as far as we know, gained just two.

The Wisconsin State Journal and The Sun of San Bernardino had backed Bush in 2004. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch called Obama's opponent, John McCain, "the incredible shrinking man" who had made a horrific pick for his running mate.

Backing Obama: In Ohio, The Blade in Toledo and the Dayton Daily News; the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Tennessean of Nashville, the Wisconsin State Journal. the Asheville (N.C.) Citizen-Times, and in California the Fresno Bee, Sacramento Bee, Bay Area News Group-East Bay dalies (about 11 papers such as Contra Costa Times), The Herald of Monterey, The Santa Cruz Journal and The Sun of San Bernardino (which had picked Bush over Kerry), plus the New Bedford Standrd-Times in Massachusetts.

Wanted - Conservative/Republican endorsements of Obama

Barbara — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:37:05 EDT

MakeFloridaCount.com archives articles, videos and other organizing resources to use with undecided voters.

I am developing section on Conservative and Republican endorsements of Obama. Please send me your suggestions (by e-mail or by commenting on the blog).

See extended blog for more detail of what is available on the site.

New organizing resources are added daily.

In unity.

Barbara Myers

barbmyrs@gmail.com

New Yorker Editorial: The Choice (Must Read)

Dave — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:10:39 EDT

Hi All:

The New Yorker magazine has written a detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the Presidential candidates' ability to lead the country in its October 13, 2008 edition. This analysis is a must read for everyone, decided or undecided, who is considering casting a ballot on November 4th.

Based on their analysis of Presidential potential, The New Yorker editors made the following powerful endorsement of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States:

The election of Obama—a man of mixed ethnicity, at once comfortable in the world and utterly representative of twenty-first-century America—would, at a stroke, reverse our country’s image abroad and refresh its spirit at home. His ascendance to the Presidency would be a symbolic culmination of the civil- and voting-rights acts of the nineteen-sixties and the century-long struggles for equality that preceded them. It could not help but say something encouraging, even exhilarating, about the country, about its dedication to tolerance and inclusiveness, about its fidelity, after all, to the values it proclaims in its textbooks. At a moment of economic calamity, international perplexity, political failure, and battered morale, America needs both uplift and realism, both change and steadiness. It needs a leader temperamentally, intellectually, and emotionally attuned to the complexities of our troubled globe. That leader’s name is Barack Obama.

The link to entire article, The Choice.

Dave

Endorsements

Jay Williams — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:08:56 EDT

Most people I think just read the headlines when it comes to Newspaper endorsements of a candidate. I'm not one of those.

Resources to convince the undecided

Barbara — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:22:15 EDT

Need an article or video to convince an undecided voter to vote for Obama/Biden?

MakeFloridaCount.com archives articles, videos and other organizing resources so that people making calls and going door to door can have easy access to the latest material.

Organizers should look carefully at the left hand column of the site for useful resources.   Here's a breakdown of some of what's there.

Character Counts - What to expect from Barack Obama
    * The New Yorker endorsement
    * Press Conference on State of the Economy
    * Chicago Jews on their experience with Obama
    * Obama's speech on race and reaction to Rev. Wright Uproar
    * SFGate - Obama profile
    * NYTimes Obama archive

Character Counts - What to expect from John McCain
    * John McCain's Rage
    * NYTimes - Politics of Attack
    * Keating Economics
    * The Straight Talk Express (exposed)
    * NYTimes - McCain lifelong gambler
    * George Will - Can a dismaying temperment be fixed?
    * Nicholas Kristof - Impulsive, Impetuous, Impatient

New organizing resources are added daily - MakeFloridaCount.com.

In unity.

Barbara Myers

please see extended post for more resources.

2 Surprising Endorsements for Obama/Biden

M. Weber — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:11:22 EDT

Esquire Magazine has endorsed a presidential candidate for the first time in its history.

www.esquire.com

Christopher Buckley, (William F. Buckley's son) endorses Obama:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-10/the-conservative-case-for-obama/

St. Louis Post-Dispatch hits one out of the park....

jj — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:08:33 EDT

Here's the Sunday, October 12 editorial endorsing Barack Obama for President. This is beautifully written, and I couldn't agree with all of it more. I laughed at the wonderful comparison of Palin to shipbuilder Arthur Sewall, the second least qualified VP in history.

With all this vitrol coming out of the McCain campaign, it is good to see that middle America not only notices, but takes action.

NOW endorsement

Elise — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:32:30 EDT

I received the following from a family member who is a former board member of NOW, the National Organization of Women. I suspect it has been posted somewhere, but I have not yet seen it on the site despite being subscribed to 10 groups. So, at the risk of redundancy:

FYI: The National Organization for Women has endorsed the Obamba-Biden ticket for just the reasons listed below. They usually do not endorse, but in this case believed it was absolutely necessary to take a stand. If you agree, please pass this on.

Subject: Women and Sarah Palin

Friends:

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

Perhaps like us, as American women, you share the fear of what Ms. Palin and her professed beliefs and proven record could lead to for ourselves and for our present or future daughters. To date, she is against sex education, birth control, the pro-choice platform, environmental protection, alternative energy development, freedom of speech, gun control, the separation of church and state, and polar bears -- to say nothing of her complete lack of real preparation to become the second-(and possibly first)-most-powerful person on the planet.

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

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

We want to disagree, publicly. If you agree that Palin is an irresponsible, even dangerous, choice for VP, please consider participating in this drive. Gentlemen, send this to the women you know and care for. I know it's tough to understand the way this choice is impacting women, but I have never seen so many women so outraged, angry and distraught in my entire life. We'd like our voices heard.

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

Fundraising Offer!!!!! Free Comic Book

JuanE. — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:32:33 EDT

I am posting this offer for my daughter's fundraising page. She is currently working very hard for the campaign and is very close to making her goal.

The first 10 donors who contribute $10 or more to my daughter's fundraiser page will receive a free copy of the soon-to-be collector's issue of the "Savage Dragon" comic book endorsing Barack Obama for President. All donors who contribute below $10 will be entered in a raffle for a free copy of the same comic book.

Click the link below to donate:

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

Click the link below to see a picture of the cover.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee288/Jaradan/Obama/ObamaComics.jpg

New Yorker Chooses... Obama!

Henry M — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:27:52 EDT

If a picture is worth a measly thousand words, then The New Yorker has made up for it’s bad-taste-joke-at-best cover with more than four thousand words endorsing Barack Obama:

The Choice
…“We cannot expect one man to heal every wound, to solve every major crisis of policy. So much of the Presidency, as they say, is a matter of waking up in the morning and trying to drink from a fire hydrant. In the quiet of the Oval Office, the noise of immediate demands can be deafening. And yet Obama has precisely the temperament to shut out the noise when necessary and concentrate on the essential. The election of Obama—a man of mixed ethnicity, at once comfortable in the world and utterly representative of twenty-first-century America—would, at a stroke, reverse our country’s image abroad and refresh its spirit at home. His ascendance to the Presidency would be a symbolic culmination of the civil- and voting-rights acts of the nineteen-sixties and the century-long struggles for equality that preceded them. It could not help but say something encouraging, even exhilarating, about the country, about its dedication to tolerance and inclusiveness, about its fidelity, after all, to the values it proclaims in its textbooks. At a moment of economic calamity, international perplexity, political failure, and battered morale, America needs both uplift and realism, both change and steadiness. It needs a leader temperamentally, intellectually, and emotionally attuned to the complexities of our troubled globe. That leader’s name is Barack Obama.”

Now I can read the magazine again. Whew!

If you liked this message, then please have a look at the rest of my blog, http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/henrymu and please consider donating to the campaign: http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/PListe4Obama

Henry M

The Stockton Record Endorses Obama

Stephanie Williams — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:42:16 EDT

By Mike Klocke Record Editor September 28, 2008 6:00 AM

For the first time in 72 years, The Record is endorsing a Democrat for president.

Franklin D. Roosevelt got our nod in 1936.

The reasons for the endorsement of Barack Obama over John McCain are articulated in the editorial on this page.

The unanimous decision was made by our editorial board, which consists of Publisher Roger W. Coover, Managing Editor Donald W. Blount, Opinion Page Editor Eric Grunder, Human Resources Director Sandi Johnson and me.

Point counterpoint

Roberta in Chapel Hill — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:30:39 EDT

Important reading from a conservative perspective (the editor of D Magazine), and my response.

A Conservative for Obama My party has slipped its moorings. It’s time for a true pragmatist to lead the country.

Leading Off By Wick Allison, Editor In Chief

THE MORE I LISTEN TO AND READ ABOUT “the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate,” the more I like him. Barack Obama strikes a chord with me like no political figure since Ronald Reagan. To explain why, I need to explain why I am a conservative and what it means to me.

In 1964, at the age of 16, I organized the Dallas County Youth for Goldwater. My senior thesis at the University of Texas was on the conservative intellectual revival in America. Twenty years later, I was invited by William F. Buckley Jr. to join the board of National Review. I later became its publisher.

Conservatism to me is less a political philosophy than a stance, a recognition of the fallibility of man and of man’s institutions. Conservatives respect the past not for its antiquity but because it represents, as G.K. Chesterton said, the democracy of the dead; it gives the benefit of the doubt to customs and laws tried and tested in the crucible of time. Conservatives are skeptical of abstract theories and utopian schemes, doubtful that government is wiser than its citizens, and always ready to test any political program against actual results.

Liberalism always seemed to me to be a system of “oughts.” We ought to do this or that because it’s the right thing to do, regardless of whether it works or not. It is a doctrine based on intentions, not results, on feeling good rather than doing good.

But today it is so-called conservatives who are cemented to political programs when they clearly don’t work. The Bush tax cuts—a solution for which there was no real problem and which he refused to end even when the nation went to war—led to huge deficit spending and a $3 trillion growth in the federal debt. Facing this, John McCain pumps his “conservative” credentials by proposing even bigger tax cuts. Meanwhile, a movement that once fought for limited government has presided over the greatest growth of government in our history. That is not conservatism; it is profligacy using conservatism as a mask.

Today it is conservatives, not liberals, who talk with alarming bellicosity about making the world “safe for democracy.” It is John McCain who says America’s job is to “defeat evil,” a theological expansion of the nation’s mission that would make George Washington cough out his wooden teeth.

This kind of conservatism, which is not conservative at all, has produced financial mismanagement, the waste of human lives, the loss of moral authority, and the wreckage of our economy that McCain now threatens to make worse.

Barack Obama is not my ideal candidate for president. (In fact, I made the maximum donation to John McCain during the primaries, when there was still hope he might come to his senses.) But I now see that Obama is almost the ideal candidate for this moment in American history. I disagree with him on many issues. But those don’t matter as much as what Obama offers, which is a deeply conservative view of the world. Nobody can read Obama’s books (which, it is worth noting, he wrote himself) or listen to him speak without realizing that this is a thoughtful, pragmatic, and prudent man. It gives me comfort just to think that after eight years of George W. Bush we will have a president who has actually read the Federalist Papers.

Most important, Obama will be a realist. I doubt he will taunt Russia, as McCain has, at the very moment when our national interest requires it as an ally. The crucial distinction in my mind is that, unlike John McCain, I am convinced he will not impulsively take us into another war unless American national interests are directly threatened.

“Every great cause,” Eric Hoffer wrote, “begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.” As a cause, conservatism may be dead. But as a stance, as a way of making judgments in a complex and difficult world, I believe it is very much alive in the instincts and predispositions of a liberal named Barack Obama.

Write to wicka@dmagazine.com.

Dear Mr. Allison,

We are greatly indebted to you for your thoughtful and clear-minded analysis of what is at stake in this Presidential election.

When people who are at the forefront of serious thought about our country, where it has been, and where it is headed can see beyond their traditional perspectives and reach new conclusions, all of us -- conservative or progressive -- are the beneficiaries.

For me, as an individual, you have reinforced the idea that being a conservative is not necessarily wrong, that all of us are entitled to our own world view, and that there are responsible and thoughtful ways of expressing even widely varying points of view.

Sincerely,

Roberta Morris
Chapel Hill, NC
www.besidemyself.com

The Truth About Taxes and NOW for Obama

Kat — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:10:41 EDT

Barack Obama has long championed a tax plan that eases financial strain on the lower and middle classes—the majority of Americans—and increases taxes for those who can afford it: the very wealthy.

John McCain, at the same time, has claimed that he, too, wants to help the average American family, and will cut taxes across the board.

So what’s the deal?

Well, WashingtonPost.com recently created a graphic (you can find it at http://tinyurl.com/5s4l7j) that illustrates just how the candidates’ plans stack up against one another. Check it out—the numbers speak very clearly for themselves.

The side-by-side comparison makes it clear why the ultra-rich support McCain, and why the majority of Americans should support Obama. The tax cuts provided to 60% of Americans are strikingly different in the Obama and McCain tax proposals: Obama will cut most Americans’ taxes by several percentage points, while McCain only reduces their taxes by fractions of a percent.

The winners in McCain’s tax proposal? The super-rich millionaires who, when you get right down to it, don’t really need a tax break at all, much less a $701,885 one.

The winners in Obama’s tax plan? The majority of the American people: People with regular jobs and regular expenses, who need those tax reductions the most.

***

In other great news—yes, as one of the aforementioned 60% of Americans, I think Obama’s tax plan is great news—today the National Organization for Women Political Action Committee (NOW PAC) has endorsed Obama as their presidential candidate of choice.

In a press release (found at www.now.org/press/09-08/09-16.html), NOW PAC Chair Kim Gandy lists several issues relating to women that Obama has strongly supported, including pay equity, reproductive rights and the prevention of violence against women. The press release further notes that Joe Biden was a leading sponsor of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which directs domestic and worldwide efforts to protect women and girls.

Incidentally, John McCain, who has made clear through many of his policies that he does not like women and girls, opposed VAWA. Thanks John!

***

Two more reasons to support Obama and Biden—Happy Tuesday!

Why I support Obama for President

Brian Sharma — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:50:14 EDT

I support Senator Obama because I believe that he is the best candidate to solve the problems facing our country. Senator Obama has the judgment, the vision, and the leadership necessary to bring the country together and move forward (not backward, like McCain).

Senator Obama has had many experiences in his life that show me he is ready to lead our country in the right direction. He went to Columiba University on a scholarship, graduated at the top of his class, became the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, and he could've done anything he wanted with that kind of resume. What did he choose? He chose to help poor people in Chicago's South Side! Obama is the REAL DEAL!! Since then, he has gone on to become a Constitutional Law Professor, an Illinois State Senator, and US Senator. He has consistently shown inspiring vision, good judgment, and the ability to bring people together. I'm sure he would become one our country's greatest presidents.

McCain, on the other hand, has a terrible record. His only accomplishment seems to be that he was a POW. Since then, he has been a corrupt, pandering, lying politician. After his involvement in the Keating Five Scandal, he built an image (only the image) of being a "maverick". But since then, he has flip-flopped on EVERY important issue that he stood for... Bush's tax cuts, ethics reform, regulation, immigration... EVEN TORTURE! After 26 years of getting nothing done in Congress, McCain pretended to be the candidate with "experience" (he's only experienced in failure), but now pretends to be the agent of change because his party has ruined our country over the last 8 years! McCain has no principles, thinks the American people are all idiots who will believe his lies, and will do anything it takes to win.

Then, after becoming the GOP nominee, for his first major decision as a presidential candidate... he picks Sarah Palin! He could've easily picked someone who had more experience, more qualifications, or the ability to work in a bipartisan way. Instead, he chose Palin, who not only has no real qualifications to be VP, but also is the most polarizing figure in politics. She is pro-life, pro-guns, pro-war, pro-drilling, pro-creationsim, and pro-lobbyist. She has consistenly lied about her record as a "maverick" and "reformer", while the truth is she has asked for money in earmarks than any other governor in history! Rather than bring the country together, John McCain decided to pick someone who might ignite a culture war to help him get to 51% in a few battleground states so he might have a chance at winning the election. That was a purely political decision, it wasn't the best choice for the country, and it shows how McCain would make decisions as president.

Not to mention, McCain is a 72 year old man with a 1,500 page medical history. It is very possible that if he did win, Palin would become president! He met her ONCE and a had a 15 minute phone conversation with her before making this extremely important decision. That tells me one of three things about McCain - Either 1) he is insane, 2) he does whatever his lobbyists tell him, or 3) he just doesn't care enough about the country to make a better decision. Either way, he does not deserve to be the president.

So, for those reasons, and so many more, I completely support Senator Obama for president. I've been paying a lot of attention to politics and the news for many years. I understand the important issues and I know why experts say Obama has better solutions on EVERY problem facing our country. If more people would do their research on the candidates, they would agree that Obama is the best candidate to lead our country. Instead, people are busy with the problems of their own daily lives (many of which McCain helped to create) or they are easily distracted by the nonsense in the media. I'm hoping people will see the clear differences during the debates, and that Obama can help lead this country on the path where we belong, to a better and brighter future for all Americans!

NOW-National Organization For Women-Announces It Will Endorse OBAMA!!!

Denise from Medford — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:59:52 EDT

Good Morning!

Today The National Organization For Women released word that they will formally endorse Senator Obama! Kim Gandy, Head of NOW, said the Republican choice of Palin as VP had pushed them to make the decision. She said,

"She (Palin) is being portrayed as a supporter of women's rights ... as a feminist when in fact her positions on so many of the issues are really anathema to ours,"

Here is the link to the article:

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gq0DV1wU3B9BBw_jvkU-wFAC87yg

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

Denise

Republican Former Governor of Virginia Endorses Obama

jgabriel — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:21:29 EDT

Good news coming out of Virginia tonight:

Virginia's first Republican governor since Reconstruction and its first lady will campaign for Democratic president candidate Barack Obama in southwest Virginia.

Former Governor Linwood Holton is the father-in-law of Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, the first governor outside of Obama's home state of Illinois to endorse the senator.

Holton will campaign on Obama's behalf with his daughter, First Lady Anne Holton, today and tomorrow. They will visit Wise, Abingdon, Galax, Wytheville, Christiansburg and Roanoke.

Palin Ad Starring Ted Stevens Already Scrubbed From Palin's Campaign Website

jgabriel — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:30:05 EDT

That was quick. This morning, an ad from Sarah Palin's 2006 gubernatorial campaign featuring an endorsement from scandal-plagued Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was available on Palin's campaign Web site.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/08/palin_ad_starring_ted_stevens.php

Calling Out the Boss: Glory Days

Henry M — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:45:32 EDT

Big Boss Man, can you hear me when I call?
You ain't so big, you just talk, that's just about all!

Thank you, Bruce, for endorsing Obama in the middle of your web page, some place below your tribute to Tim Russert, merchandise offers, and your speech on being inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, and above a lot more merchandise and videos.

That was three months ago, in May.

Not exactly an exclusive in Time magazine, Bruce.

33 concerts for Kerry! Could you make time for a couple for Obama? (I'd like to think that you're just waiting until after the convention (for some reason) and will do a concert for Obama a week after that.)

Sure, you could lose millions, but I bet that I've donated a higher percentage of my income to Obama's campaign than you have, that I've donated a much higher percentage of my time to supporting the campaign than you, and that I'm putting more of my "career" on the line by supporting Obama here in political Washington, DC, than you possibly could in your ivory castle on the beach in Jersey.

Bruce, you're not the only celebrity who is not doing enough, whose endorsement of Obama is too faint. I'm calling you out because you've made a point of, in addition to praising it, telling some of the sad truth about our great country; you've been around for a while, you're a hero to a lot of people, and you're still "The Boss."

Nows the time. How about a song before it's too late!

Thanks!

Henry M

Statistics show a split Democratic Party

Deborah from Mountain Home, AR — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:17:48 EDT

Deborah ,

More than 13,000 people took our independent presidential survey. Thank you!

HERE'S WHAT WE HEARD FROM YOU ON THE SURVEY:

1. We're Split Right Now On Endorsing a Candidate: While 56% of survey-takers said Barack Obama will be their choice for President in November, a substantial percentage of us (47%) believe that we should not endorse Senator Obama at this time. While Obama received much support, many people urged that we wait to endorse until September, after the major party conventions, believing that we can do more to impact the candidates and public opinion by holding back our endorsement for now. Most of the rest of us supported a variety of third party and independent candidates, or were undecided.

2. We're Concerned About Critical Issues Facing the Country: Not surprisingly, respondents said that the critical issues facing our country are a) the war in Iraq; b) the economy; c) energy and the environment; and d) healthcare.

3. We Want a President Who Does What's Right For America: Most of us said that we need a strong leader willing to fight to change and reform politics in America, to do what's best for the American people, not the parties and the special interests, on the important issues referenced above.

4. We Feel Government Is Run For The Special Interests, Not The People: 95% of us believe politicians mostly do what's best for the parties and the special interests, not what's best for America. This response is coherent with national polls that consistently find 85% of Americans say our government is on the wrong track. Americans clearly feel that government is not responsive to our needs.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

No Endorsement - Yet: Based on the survey responses and comments that the candidates need to get more specific on their promises of "change," we are not going to endorse quite yet.

Campaign To Tell The Candidates To "Get Specific on Change": We're running a campaign urging the candidates to get specific on their plans to fix our broken political system. We're drafting a petition in support of specific political reforms we want them to endorse like non-partisan redistricting (no more gerrymandering!) and open primaries (allowing all voters to participate in the first round of voting) - reforms that will make elections more competitive and reduce party control of the electoral process.

Bush Endorsement?

♫Parodee♫ — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:59:48 EDT

Yisraelite Organization of Unity in Israel Offers Endorsement for Obama presidency

Israel for Obama — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:15:05 EDT

The Yisraelite Organization of Unity in Israel has offered their endorsement to Senator Barack Obama as president of the United States. The countdown until the arrival of Obama to Israel is in one week. He is scheduled to arrive on the 22nd and will be meeting primarily with the heads of both the State of Israel and the officials in the West Bank.

Israel for Obama volunteers are also beginning to post pro-Obama signs in the Beersheba and Arad areas of the Negev. We continually need the help of Pro-Obama supporters worldwide to provide Obama signs & banners. Please remember to mail them to: Israel for ObamaAttn: Yeshiyah AmarielP.O. Box 5212ARAD, ISRAEL 89100THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

Barack in Detroit

amberscribe — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:44:18 EDT

The Obama Rally in Detroit was exciting, poignant and offered hope that we may come together as a nation.

As my daughter and I were driving to the rally, she received a call from a friend who works in the downtown area. The friend admonished her that the lines going into Joe Louis Arena were crazy. Since it was after 6:00 pm this admonition said to us that we probably would not get into Joe Louis to see the rally.

Well let's drive around so we can at least experience the atmosphere my daughter said echoing my thoughts. We took Jefferson to the Cobo Hall turn around. There were still many people headed to the rally, so we said let's give it a try. We headed east on Jefferson and turned at the Courtyard by Marriot. As soon as we turned on Randolph we saw a parking space open up. Taking this as a good sign, we entered the Millender Center and took the People Mover from there to Joe Louis. There were about twenty people on board and others entered and exited along the way. Some were obviously going to the rally.

Arriving at the Joe Louis Station we got off on the level where the doors enter Joe Louis, but had to walk down three level on the ramp to get to the end of the line. The crowd was very friendly and patient. Vendors came along the line selling everything from Obama paraphernalia -hats, visors, buttons, shirts--to Werther's Candy for a school fundraiser.

We got in line between 6:30 and 6:45. Progress toward the entrance was slow and sporadic. The time was filled by crowd watching and conversations with vendors , petitioners (Mayoral Recall), voter registration solicitors (most in the crowd were already register) and others in line for the rally.

After about an hour and half, we finally made it back to the entrance level. There the lines of people coming from the parking garage, the people mover and those who had lined up at street level converged. Now it was just a wall of people who had to be funneled into three lines because only three doors were open. Once inside we had to be screened airport style. The only difference was that there were no x-ray machines to screen purses and bags. Instead security personnel dug through them by hand while we walked through the x-ray portals.

At last we were inside. We missed the pre-rally show but got there in time for the actual program. The national anthem was sung by LaShell Griffin, a Detroiter who won the Oprah Winfrey Pop Star Challenge. The first speaker was Chauncey Billups who said nothing memorable. Then Jennifer Granholm came on and tried to tell the crowd that the Hillary supporters were now supporting Barack. She was almost drowned out in a crescendo of boos.

She introduced Al Gore and the arena erupted.. Everyone was cheering and screaming and applauding. Flashbulbs were popping all around the room as if the lights were doing the wave. It was truly a wall of sights and sounds greeting him. This went on for four or five minutes.

It was as if Detroit was welcoming a champion home. All of the pent up disappointment felt when Al Gore lost the presidency seemed to come out in a blanket of love to embrace him. The greeting seemed to say we are sorry for what happened to you. We love, respect and honor you for your efforts on our part and for your accomplishments since your ordeal. This is what his reception appeared to signify.

Al Gore spoke of why elections matter. He mentioned several events that have occurred during the Bush Administration that show why elections matter. On his list were Hurricane Katrina, tainted medicine and pet food from china, being sent to serve in an unnecessary war, soldiers being neglected when they returned home, etc.

Then he gave his reasons for supporting Barack. One reason he gave was the repudiation of a list dealing with inexperience. When we first heard it, the list seemed to be things said about Barack, but they had actually been said about John F. Kennedy when he was nominated for President. Another reason he gave for supporting Barack was Barack's realization that the war in Iraq was unjust.

Finally we got to the candidate himself. Barack came on and greeted the politicians present---Granholm, Dingell, Stupak, etc. (Mayor Kilpatrick was not there.) He praised Hillary Clinton for the quality of the campaign she had run. He reminded the crowd that Hillary has worked her whole career to improve conditions for children and to get health care for everyone. He spoke of the length of the campaign season and how babies that had not been conceived when the campaign began were now walking and talking.

He spoke of the need for jobs and education in Michigan. He named industries that George Bush had listened to many time while only hearing the concerns of the automobile industry one time, and that was seven years into his administration.

He enumerated the many problems we have , but offered hope that if we work together as a nation we can solve them. He spoke of children who lose faith in the educational system as early as six years old, but said his administration would provide tuition relief. He spoke of the need to improve the infrastructure and to find more environmentally friendly energy sources and the jobs that these solutions will provide. He urged everyone to get involved in his campaign by registering to vote, making phone calls, and knocking on doors to get out the vote.

The main points of Vice President Gore's and Senator Obama's speeches can be obtained from the newspapers or other media. I have tried to give a representation of what it was like to be at the rally.

AFL-CIO endorses Senator Obama!

Denise from Medford — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:10:03 EDT

Hey! I just got a "breaking news" e-mail from the AFL-CIO! They have endorsed Senator Obama!!! Check out the details on their website: www.aflcio.org,

Wa-hoo!!!!! Denise

Finally Gore does the right thing, part duex

LuigiBob — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:06:41 EDT

Let me expand a bit on what my originial post left out. Gore should have endored someone when the campaign was in full throttle. I don't care, Edwards, Clinton, or Obama, heck even that nut case from Alaska, Gravel. Just put your reputation on the line when it counts...to me, at this late in the game...his endorsement, in the main, is meaningless....other than his speech. He's just joining the bandwagon. No leadership skills that I can see...other than a good public spokesman for the environment. Take for example Governor Richardson's endorsement...or many of the Kennedy clan....those were valuable endorsements...at the right time. Gov. Richardon you've got cojones! Si se puede! Go senator Obama....he is the one.

Al Gore: Right Guy, Right Time, Wrong Speech

scotthpayne — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:33:23 EDT

(http://politicsofscrabble.org/?p=181)

Unlike Joe Gandelman, I don't think the biggest problem with Gore's endorsement of Obama is its timing. While it is entirely predictable that Gore was eventually going to endorse Obama, the timing could have been incredibly fortuitous. Given the status that Gore has achieved outside of Democratic circles and his standing as an elder-statesman of the Party, Gore is in a unique position to help Obama pull the Party together and imbue it with the vision to move forward and win in November. And, frankly, the timing couldn't be better for that speech given the perceived fracasness of the primaries. The biggest problem with Gore's endorsement; however, is that he didn't give that speech.

Don't get me wrong, Gore's "elections matter" bit wasn't bad. But what Al primarily did was take some long coming shots at George W. Bush and how he "stole" the election, do some half decent Obama cheerleading, and predictably prattle on about the environment too much. The speech did nothing to even indirectly address the current rift in the Party or remind people of why it is that they as Democrats work together for a vision of the country that's worth fighting for.

Gore's speech wasn't a flop, but neither was it it the "show stopper" that Sullivan's emailers claimed, and it certainly wasn't a speech that took full advantage of the opportunity that had presented itself.

Al Gore and his endorsement.

Mary R. Il. — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:20:35 EDT

Al Gore gave an outstanding speech in Detroit! He is the elder statesman for and genuine hero of the Democratic Party.

He took his defeat in 2000 with grace and dignity, and then turned his voice toward a world wide challenge where he has lead the way to an awakening of the citizens of the world to DO SOMETHING ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

Really Al Gore is a world organizer, Barack Obama a USA organizer. Aren't they just 2 peas in a pod! It was an exciting moment to watch! Thank you Al Gore for your leadership.

Al Brings it Home

Libby - San Francisco — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:52:02 EDT

I love the fact that this endorsement was done in Detroit where Obama followed Michigan's primary rules by taking his name off the ballot; that Detroit is the seat of the U.S. auto industry, an industry that is way behind the curve on manufacturing vehicles with high mpg and low on hybrids and electrical cars; that Al's endorsement raises up the "fierce urgency of now" that is our global environmental crisis; that Mr. Gore's endorsement leaves no doubt that even though he was in the Clinton white house, he did not endorse Mrs. Clinton before the primary campaign ended. Indeed, if I were to have any criticism of Al Gore's endorsement it would be his timing. Had his endorsement come during the time of the Ohio or Pennsylvania primaries, it could have put a stop to the negative campaign run by Hillary and saved Senator Obama from having to spend so much of his campaign time defending the smears directed towards him.

But Mr. Gore, better late than never! If you are as fired up as the rest of us volunteers, you are ready to work like hell to ensure Obama's victory in November.

And thank you, too, for all the work and enormous awareness building you have done on behalf of the environment.

Libby Klitsch

Volunteer Communications Coordinator, San Francisco CD8

Thank You, Hillary!

Todd Epp — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 01:19:51 EDT

Just finished watching Sen. Hillary Clinton’s “suspension” speech.

It was very well done and hit all the right notes. She clearly endorsed Sen. Barack Obama and told her supporters in no uncertain terms that we can’t have another Republican President if we want progress on the issues that are important to moving the country forward again.

I thought Sen. Clinton was gracious and sincere. I also think it is probably the best address she’s ever given.

So, let’s put aside our differences and get behind Sen. Obama this fall. Hillary says it’s the right thing to do.

(Originally posted at SD Watch, http://www.southdakotawatch.net)

Full endorsement from Senator Hillary R Clinton?

Dave — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:59:59 EDT

The endorsement from Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is much welcome. We really do appreciate the important and ground breaking step she has taken. For that, we do say thanks. However, the endorsement fell short of my personal expectation. Clinton didn't give Senator Obama her delegates so that every delegate at the Democractic National Congress in August 08 would effectively back him. I would have been pleased had that happened.

Nonetheless, it's better getting that than nothing. Will Clinton be number 2 in due course? Only time can tell based on what was discussed in a meeting between her and Senator Obama.

The Healing Can Begin

Barry From New Jersey — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:25:36 EDT

After Hillary Clinton's speech on Tuesday, the night Barack Obama made history, I was concerned whether the party would ever be able to heal. However, after her endorsement today, I think the healing can begin. Thank you Hillary Clinton for your support of Senator Obama. Now it is time for all the supporters from both campaigns to put aside any differences and hard feelings and work to get Senator Obama elected. The Republicans are hoping that some will not be able to move beyond the primaries and vote against their own self interest but the stakes are too high. We must win the White House this year.

Hillary Clinton's Endorsement

Lady Beryl — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:11:46 EDT

I am very happy she did this. Although I disagreed with some of the form and content, I'm comfortable that the endorsement was genuine since her personal style rang true.

To Hillary: "Good job!"

I sincerely hope her actions will be helpful to the Obama campaign but we should not depend on this support. Obama should continue to run a brilliant campaign. I will not attempt to second-guess or advise him in this regard as he has made all of the right decisions so far. I will continue to lend my support in any way I can.

Obama was in fine form as well by letting this be HER time with HER supporters. He watched it remotely and put sufficient "Thank You" content on his website.

This was a very good day so now to get on with the General Election!

~::~ Our Barack Won! ~::~ Humbled Hillary Endorses Barack! ~::~

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 19:00:12 EDT

~::~ After Hearing Our Barack Obama's Very Powerful And Gracious Speech ~ His Forgiveness Towards Hillary ~ And His Enthusiastic Call For Joyful Unity In The Democratic Party... I Have Softened Just A Tiny Bit In My Disgust Regarding Hillary's Behaviours ~ Even Though She Has Shown Herself To Be A Pathological Lier Having The The Most *Corrupt* Corporations ~ Special Interests ~ Lobbyists ~ New World Order Shadow Governnment ~ Skull And Bones ~ Shady Evil Persons ~ And Her Criminal Cover~Ups As Her Own Corruption. She Has Led The Life Of A Spoiled Girl And Fame... That Made Her Ripe For Corruption. Our Barack Is Of A Divine Nature Being Of Higher Consciousness And The Purest Character. Barack Has Extended Heartfelt Welcome To Hillary... Praising What He Generously Perceives As Her Good Points. Hillary Has Now Finally Endorsed Barack.
I Fear For Barack's Life If He Makes Hillary His VP. {A Deranged Hillary Supporter Trying To Make Her President. Hillary Did Refer To Assassination As A Reason She Stayed In.}Barack Would Demand Purest Intent And Good And Noble Behaviours From Hillary As VP. Barack Would Cause Hillary To Spiritually EVOLVE. He Would Demand That She *Evolve* On ALL Levels Of Her Being. Hillary Is Not 'Pure Of Heart And Not Pure Of Deed.' Many Persons That Got In The Clintons Way Ended Up Suddenly Dead. Reminds Me Of The Mafia Movies "The Godfather." The Clintons Are A "Godfather" Type Dynasty. If They Don't Get Their Way Watch Out! {Yet Bush, McCain And Republicans Are FAR Worse!}

If Hillary Ends Up As Barack's VP ~ It Would Be A Volcanic Breakthrough Of Sorts. If Hillary *Humbly Admits* To Her Faults And Seeks Sincerely To Transcend Them... Seeking With All Her Heart To EVOLVE Into A Being Of Pure Heart And Pure Character. The First Black Man {Universal Black~White~Mixed Race} For President... And The First Woman For Vice President... WOW! But Only If Hillary Evolves Into A Higher Consciousness Being Through Inner Purification And Transformation, Under Our Barack Obama's Keen Eye. Then It Would Be Truly Magnificient! Hillary Is Shocked That She Lost.
I Hope Losing Helps Give Hillary Humility And Goodness. I Have Not Heard Much About Considering AL GORE For VP... That Would Be WONDERFUL! ~::~

~::~ Ambrosial Pure Love And Radiant Light! ~::~

~::~ Shivani Sannyasini ~::~

THE ENVIRONMENTALIST: Our Reasons for Choosing Obama

Janet Ritz — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:20:49 EDT

Cross-posted from The Huffington Post - Original publish date: Feb 4, 2008.

The contributing writers at THE ENVIRONMENTALIST, where I am the managing editor, just completed a conference call to discuss which candidate we felt would be most effective on the environment.

The consensus: Senator Barack Obama.

That is not to say there would [have been] any lack of support for Senator Hillary Clinton, should she [have won] the nomination. The consensus is that we'd be fortunate with either Democratic front-runner in the White House and that we would all work diligently for a Democratic outcome once the nomination is settled.

Our reason for choosing Senator Obama:

Avalanche? Connecticut Party Chair for Obama

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:14:48 EDT

Nancy DiNardo, Connecticut Democratic Party Chair, has endorsed Obama for President.

“Senator Obama has built his campaign on an appeal to the deep-seated goodness of America – the goodness that all Americans intuitively understand," DiNardo said.

DiNardo said Obama offers "a chance for such unity – at healing the divisions caused by years of war, deficits, and partisan wrangling." She credited Obama's "ability to effect change without becoming ensnared by and beholden to the political establishment."

Carole

45 To Go! New Math Update

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:09:51 EDT

Jerome Wiley Segovia, a superdelegate from Virginia and DNC member, endorsed Obama for President today.

Segovia noted that he shares the "valuable international experience" of spending part of his early years overseas. Segovia also pointed out that Obama had shattered all previous campaign fundraising records, and supports alternative sources of energy to help the energy crisis.

45 Number of delegates needed to secure the nomination

Carole

How Many to Go? 46!

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:48:00 EDT

Barack Obama got support from 3 more superdelegates:

1 Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party Pat Waak
2 Chair of the Oregon Democratic Party Meredith Wood Smith
3 Guam Senator and DNC member Ben C. Pangelinan

Their reasons?

Waak:
* 60% of votes at the Colorado State Democratic Convention
* "visionary, uplifting leadership shown during this long campaign."
* he will defeat John McCain in November

Wood Smith:
* majority of the votes in the Oregon
* As a 65-year-old woman, I have a visceral understanding of the fight for gender equality.

Pangelinan:
"Trust in Senator Obama's commitment to turning the promises on the issues that
are important to the people of Guam, into progress for the people of Guam."

A call to other superdelegates:

                "The time has come to step forward."
                                                                          Waak

                "All of us should come together to elect Sen. Barack Obama"
                                                                                                     Wood Smith

                "The best candidate to deliver on the promise that is America, for all of America."
Pangelinan

320.5           Number of superdelegates endorsing Obama for President

46                     Number of delegates needed for Obama to secure the nomination

Carole

So Far Ahead Of My Time

J.W. — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:17:39 EDT

If you think it wasn’t calculated, think again.

Today, John Edwards, the former Senator of North Carolina and Democratic Presidential candidate, endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States. Immediately after the announcement was made, the cable news networks began to speculate about whether Edwards’ endorsement of Obama was spontaneous (decided today) or calculated (decided days or weeks ago). While Barack Obama and his campaign advisors may never admit it, I’m here to tell you that this move was 100% calculated and implemented to perfection by the Obama campaign, possibly their greatest, most effective strategy of the campaign thus far.

Please make no mistake about it. The John Edwards endorsement was not a spur of the moment, spontaneous thing. In fact, what we saw from the Obama campaign was a very deliberate, very calculated, very well thought out strategy to take Hillary Clinton completely out of the game.

In the run up to the West Virginia primary, I had doubts about Obama’s strategy. Why was he choosing to ignore West Virginia? Why would he not campaign there? Why would he go to Missouri just three days before the primary instead of campaigning in West Virginia? Well, now we know why... Now it all makes sense.

Think about it. Last week, after remaining silent since dropping out of the race back in January, John Edwards came out of nowhere and conducted interviews with all the major news networks. And for what? To basically say nothing. He refused to endorse a candidate. He praised both candidates for their qualifications, and he refused to pressure Hillary Clinton to drop out of the race in favor of the presumptive nominee.

So what was the purpose in him coming out? It was to build a buzz for tonight’s endorsement. It was to make John Edwards relevant again. It was to get his name back out there so that his endorsement would actually mean something to the campaign. Already a major player in the Democratic Party, John Edwards became the one to watch once again.

But the Obama campaign’s strategy didn’t stop there. Barack Obama all but ignored West Virginia. He made one campaign stop there, essentially ceding the state primary victory to Hillary Clinton.

Why?

Well, first of all, because he knew a Clinton win in West Virginia wouldn’t affect the math. He would still have a sizable lead in pledged delegates, popular vote, and states won. Barack Obama also knew, however, that John Edwards had 19 delegates pledged to him, delegates who could choose any candidate they wanted to support when Edwards dropped out of the race. Hillary Clinton having netted 12 delegates in her win over Barack Obama in West Virginia, Obama could easily erase her gains by collecting most, if not all, of Edwards’ pledged delegates, making West Virginia, in essence, a wash. So why spend time, money, and resources in a state that you probably wouldn’t have won anyway? Why not just win the endorsement of one person and collect more delegates than you ever could in West Virginia?

What we saw in the last few weeks of the Obama campaign is political strategy executed to perfection. Announcing John Edwards’ endorsement at this point in the campaign was a genius move. Not only does it lend Barack Obama some credibility in winning the elusive white, working class vote, not only did it deflect attention away from Hillary Clinton’s victory in West Virginia and her one-on-one interviews on all the major news networks afterward, but it also put the nail in the coffin of the Clinton campaign.

Yeah, they may try to diminish it as just another endorsement, but it’s not. This is the endorsement of the champion of the white, working class. This is a former Senator, a very popular former Presidential candidate, and someone who almost became our Vice-President. In fact, this is a man who may very well become our next Vice-President. So, no, this wasn’t just any endorsement. It was one of the biggest endorsements of the campaign and the final blow to the Clinton campaign.

So, my advice to Hillary: bow out graciously, head back to New York, and run for governor in 2010.

And my advice to Barack: could this be a sign of things to come? Maybe an Obama-Edwards ticket?... I’m just saying.

Peace,
J.W.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NC5ID3WZh8Y

Sen. Byrd Endorses Obama

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:30:25 EDT

West Virginia Senator Robert C. Byrd has endorsed Barack Obama for President.

"The issue of the upcoming presidential contest has been weighing heavily on my heart," Sen. Byrd said. "With the Bush Administration's latest request to fund this on-going war in Iraq without any attempt to start bringing our troops home."

"As people all across this great nation know, I have been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Bush Administration’s misguided war in Iraq and its saber rattling around the globe."

Sen. Byrd said he had had no intention of being involved in the campaign in the midst of West Virginia's Primary election, "But the stakes this November could not be higher."

"I believe that Barack Obama is a shining young statesman, who possesses the personal temperament and courage necessary to extricate our country from this costly misadventure in Iraq, and to lead our nation at this challenging time in history. Barack Obama is a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian, and he has my full faith and support," Sen. Byrd stated.

Carole

Washington State Democratic Party Chair Endorses Obama

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Mon, 19 May 2008 11:51:39 EDT

Another endorsement for Barack Obama for President.

The Chair of the Democratic Party in Washington State has endorsed Obama for President, saying, "It is time to unify our party around one candidate."

Pelz said it's his responsibility as Chair to help voters be confident of their own ability to choose the nominee. He said it was appropriate for him now to make his endorsement since the Congressional District caucuses are over and Washington's national delegates have been selected.

"I will be supporting Barack Obama for many reasons," Pelz continued. "Over the last few years, I have gained a profound respect for Sen. Obama. I have read his books, listened to his speeches, and watched the campaign he has run on the grueling modern presidential playing-field for nearly two years. And I have spoken with literally hundreds of friends and colleagues -- both in and out of politics -- regarding their opinions and observations of this man. I have concluded that Barack Obama is ready to be a great American President."

Pelz also was confident Obama has the ability to win the November election for President.

The math: Obama has seven superdelegates pledged to support him from Washington now, the same number of superdelegates as Hillary Clinton. (Endorsement story here).

Carole

Thinking Back to January, 2008, when Ted Kennedy Endorsed Barack Obama

Jill 4 Obama — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:22:19 EDT

Damon Winter/The New York Times

Barack Obama with Edward Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy and Patrick Kennedy at a rally at American University in Washington D.C.

By JEFF ZELENY Published: January 28, 2008

WASHINGTON — Senator Edward M. Kennedy implored Americans on Monday to “reject the counsels of doubt and calculation,” as he extended his endorsement and placed the aura of his family’s name around the presidential candidacy of Senator Barack Obama.

Kennedy Chooses Obama, Spurning Plea by Clintons (January 28, 2008) The Caucus: Obama, Kennedys Resonate with Youth (January 28, 2008)
Brendan Smialowski for The New York Times

Barack Obama with Sen. Edward Kennedy at American University in Washington, D.C.

“It is time again for a new generation of leadership,” Mr. Kennedy said, speaking over a crowd of cheering supporters here at American University. “It is time now for Barack Obama.”

Mr. Kennedy promised to campaign aggressively for Mr. Obama, a strong endorsement from a veteran Democratic leader that might influence some in the party’s liberal Democratic base torn between Mr. Obama and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

“We, too, want a president who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American dream and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal and who can lift our spirits and make us believe again,” Mr. Kennedy said. “I’ve found that candidate and I think you have, too.”

He praised Mrs. Clinton and the third Democratic candidate, John Edwards. “They are my friends, they are my friends, they have been my colleagues in the Senate,” Mr. Kennedy said. “Whoever is our nominee will have my enthusiastic support.”

But he said one candidate had risen above the rest. “He understands what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called the fierce urgency of now,” said Mr. Kennedy, who was joined on stage by his niece, Caroline Kennedy, and her cousin, Representative Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, who are also backing Mr. Obama.

“I stand here today with a great deal of humility,” Mr. Obama said after Mr. Kennedy’s endorsement. “I know what your support means. I know the cherished place the Kennedy family holds in the hearts of the American people.”

In a 20-minute address, Mr. Kennedy spoke effusively of Mr. Obama, who has served with him in the Senate for three years. He hailed his ability to transcend race in America, saying Mr. Obama’s candidacy could set the nation on a new course of reconciliation.

Mr. Kennedy, who associates said had grown furious at the tone of the presidential campaign, including the words and actions of former President Bill Clinton, said Mr. Obama would usher in a new era of politics. His speech was filled with references to his distaste for the bitterness and lack of bipartisanship that has infiltrated Washington.

“He will be a president who refuses to be trapped in the patterns of the past,” Mr. Kennedy said. “He is a leader who sees the world clearly without being cynical. He is a fighter who cares passionately about the causes he believes in, without demonizing those who hold a different view.”

Mr. Kennedy, whose endorsement was aggressively pursued by all the Democratic candidates, praised Mr. Obama’s ability to motivate a new generation of leaders. Not since his brothers, Mr. Kennedy said, has he seen a politician possess the ability to inspire.

“With Barack Obama, there is a new national leader who has given America a different kind of campaign — not just about himself, but about all of us,” Mr. Kennedy said. “A campaign about the country we will become, if we can rise above the old politics that parses us into separate groups and puts us at odds with one another.”

Mr. Kennedy is expected to head west with Mr. Obama, followed by appearances in the Northeast. Strategists see him bolstering Mr. Obama’s credibility and helping him firm up support from unions and Hispanics, as well as the party base.

Mrs. Clinton and her allies had pressed Senator Kennedy to remain neutral in the Democratic race, as he traditionally has done. Instead, the endorsement gave Mr. Obama the Kennedy charisma and connections before the 22-state showdown for the Democratic nomination on Feb. 5.

Mr. Kennedy, who called Mr. Clinton Sunday to tell him of his decision, remained uncertain of his decision as late as the middle of last week. But, according to allies, when he learned that his niece’s endorsement would appear as an Op-Ed piece in The New York Times on Sunday, he decided to bolster that with his own public embrace of the campaign at a joint rally at American University.

Trying to dilute the impact of the twin endorsements by the brother and daughter of the late president, the Clinton campaign on Sunday issued a statement of support from Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a former lieutenant governor in Maryland and a daughter of Robert F. Kennedy.

“I respect Caroline and Teddy’s decision, but I have made a different choice,” Ms. Townsend said in her statement, adding: “At this moment when so much is at stake at home and overseas, I urge our fellow Americans to support Hillary Clinton. That is why my brother Bobby, my sister Kerry, and I are supporting Hillary Clinton.”

But two years ago, Ms. Townsend’s mother, Ethel Kennedy, referred to Mr. Obama in an interview as “our next president” and likened him to her late husband.

Using MSNBC's number - 27 superdelegates to shut out Clinton

Thatcher — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:17:25 EDT

On March 28, over at Chris Weigant's blog, Chris asked his readers to place their bets (in quatloos) when Clinton would drop out of the Presidential race. Well, I've done pretty well so far. I predicted that Obama would surpass Clinton in Superdelegates before the West Virginia primary (got it right) and several of my delegate totals from the primaries were darn close (I didn't do so well on my original delegate estimate for Indiana). Also, I was only 1 day off for the John Edwards endorsement of Obama. My final prediction is Clinton drops out on June 16, just 31 days from now.

27. This is the magic number.

The blog editor won't allow tables ... so the rest of the post is over at The Dead Guy

Selective Amnesia----What a Difference A Day Makes

Washitawest 4 Obama 08 Bitter Sweet Victory is Tasty — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:22:25 EDT

Victory before dawn.

The road to victory is bumpy...yes. However, each victory for Hitllary is overshadowed by the next sunrise. John Edwards morning endorsing for Senator Obama is a beautiful thing. John Edwards endorsement followed by his delegates was a climax by sundown.

President Bush's comment in Israel...let's say should be expected since we have chosen to ignore the "Politics as Usual" Washington DC stratedgy. Mr. Bush showed his "True Colors' when he not once, but twice shunned Senator Obama. I'll say "Change" is obvious when the President who is not campaigning for a new term is hating. I would like to say that it just Republican supporting another Republican...reflecting on modes of operendi...seem like a wee bit of h8n in the white house. I'm sure others(officials) have made attempts to speak if not even poised to sleep with the enemy if needed. Apparently Barack Obama appeal to the world in the realm of peace is possible. Strange when Hammas sees the hope and change before President Bush can. Maybe he needs glasses. let's just make sure they don't have a Rose tint.

Washitawest

Edwards Endorses. Now, About Those Delegates . . . .

Deborah Simmel — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:44:26 EDT

The Democratic Convention Watch site gives a good explanation of what will happen to the pledged delegates allocated to John Edwards, now that he's endorsed our guy. Read the details and what a few Edwards Delegates have to say.

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/05/what-happens-to-edwards-delegates.html

OH, OH,, elitist lattes and arugala??

ObamaBob NSB — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:32:00 EDT

Does this mean they have to now sip elitist latte's and sup on arugala????

United Steelworkers Endorse Barack Obama for President

May 15th, 2008 at 10:42 am EDT

The United Steelworkers have endorsed Barack Obama for president. Here is their statement...

When the presidential primary contests began last year, our Union felt strongly that because of Senator John Edwards’s deep commitment to working people and because of our shared beliefs, he deserved our strong endorsement. His belief that unfair trade policies must be changed, his commitment to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) to restore workers’ rights to freely choose workplace representation, and his proposal for universal health care were widely shared by our members.
Today, by virtue of a unanimous vote of our International Executive Board, we find ourselves once again in agreement with Senator Edwards, this time with his decision last evening to endorse Senator Barack Obama. And thus today, the United Steelworkers enthusiastically endorses Senator Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States.
Senator Obama’s call for a significant change of direction amounts to far more than a compelling rallying cry. It is buttressed by his record of consistent support for workers, by his call for sweeping changes to our health care system, by his unflinching support for Employee Free Choice, and by his insistence that America’s trade policies must, first and foremost, serve the interests of America’s working families.
Senator Obama has shown his commitment to working families by proposing significant investments in the future of American manufacturing, in the revitalization of our nation’s infrastructure, and in 21st century clean energy technologies that will lead to significant growth in domestic jobs. He is clearly the candidate who can best lead our nation out of the dark period of economic decline created by the Bush administration’s allegiance to Wall Street profiteering at the expense of worker prosperity.
We share Senator Obama’s call for significant changes to these bankrupt policies, just as we earlier shared Senator Edwards’ And all of us, including we hope Senator Clinton for whom we have the utmost respect, must now do everything we can to ensure that Barack Obama is the next President of the United States. Now is the time for contention and division to cease, and for us to unite behind the changes for which Senator Obama and our members are calling.
America’s workers cannot afford another four years of rehashed Bush administration policies, another four years in which the National Labor Relations Board shills for corporate misconduct, or another four years of a Secretary of the Treasury who considers it his “job” to bail out Wall Street speculators at the expense of hard working families loosing their homes.
Nor can those of us who are committed to changing the direction of the country afford any more racial profiling of an election, when either Democratic candidate would be far superior to Senator McCain’s lock-step commitment to four more years of the broken Bush economy and the broken Bush foreign policies.
We are proud and honored to join Senator Edwards in endorsing Senator Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States. We commit ourselves to working tirelessly for his election and for a new age of cooperation among Democrats, Independents and thoughtful Republicans alike in which working Americans are restored to a place of dignity in society and in the American economy.

Show Support for NARAL - getting ridiculed by HRC Supporters

Latina Supporter 4 Obama — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:25:30 EDT

HRC supporters are swamping the NARAL blog post endorsing Obama with very negative comments & attacks - let's flood the NARAL blog with posts of gratitude for making the difficult decision of switching support from HRC to Obama - here is the link to the blog:

http://www.blogforchoice.com/archives/2008/05/naral-prochoice-6.html#comments

Show Support for NARAL - getting ridiculed by HRC Supporters

Latina Supporter 4 Obama — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:22:35 EDT

http://www.blogforchoice.com/archives/2008/05/naral-prochoice-6.html#comments

Major Obama Endorsement

Vivian — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:24:00 EDT

John Edwards endorses Barack Obama.

Thanks to John Edwards

Debbie L — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:58:16 EDT

Woooo Hoooo! I am so thirlled that Senator John Edwards chose to step out and finally endorse Barack Obama for Preisdent of The United States of America. I do hope he will reconsider his past statement of not taking a Vice Presidential seat if offered to him by Barack Obama. I believe that this would be a unimpenetrable ticket in November. All I have to say is what a ride that would be for the American People to finally look up to our Government, and not feel as if we do not matter any longer. This is one nation under God, Idivisible, and our Government being run under the leadership of these two men, would bring the change America has needed for a long long time!

Goooooooooo Obama...YES WE CAN!!!! By the way, I am a 50 year old, working class female supporting Barack Obama for President of the USA...I am also from Michigan.

John Edwards Endorses Barack Obama for President!

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:04:56 EDT

Tonight John Edwards endorsed Barack Obama for President.

"The reason I am here tonight is because the Democratic voters in America have made their choice, and so have I."
With those words, Edwards smiled continually and set out his plan for what's important.

When Edwards walked into the rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a huge cry of cheers went up. Early on in his speaking, he said, "When the nomination battle is over, and it will be over soon - " there was wild applause.

At one point, Edwards was saying, "What brought all of us here - is the profound..." His words were broken off by shouts and foot-stomps: O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!

After describing a series of walls Edwards said were built by the Bush administration, cutting off Americans from aid and help where he believes it's most needed, Edwards said, "Our job is to tear that wall down, and give our government back to the people."

And the crowd went wild!~

132.5 delegates to go, and counting!

Carole

Strategic Ramifications of John Edwards' Endorsement

WilliamBentley2 — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:35:31 EDT

We have learned that former senator John Edwards has decided to endorse Senator Obama. I believe there are certain strategic ramifications that may develop as a result of his support. Politically, the pundits are discussing cynical motives and policy motives for the Edwards endorsement. I believe the motivations are largely irrelevant. Rather, the "where do we go from here" aspect of the endorsement are factually what matters here.

I believe Senator Edwards has decided to not only endorse Senator Obama, but to campaign vigorously for and with him in the summer and fall. His high-energy style of campaigning is the "yang" to Senator Obama's fluid style's "yin." Edwards' focus is largely domestic (poverty, taxes, labor, immigration) while Senator Obama's focus is more international (by his own admission, he feels more comfortable with foreign policy). Both are focused on change and each appeals to different segments of the electorate (see: Hillary Clinton's West Virginia speech).

I believe Senator Edwards will work tirelessly to add dimension to the Obama campaign in a way similar to the way Senator Clinton has been positioning herself (with the aforementioned "working-class" Democrats). And, as an unsubtle prelude to the fall campaign, I have a strong reason to suspect that Edwards may be a Vice Presidential nominee contender.

In any event, the Edwards endorsement is strategic, long-term and best seen as move with far-reaching ramifications. This is not tactical (albeit its timing is most likely very tactical).

CONFIRMED: EDWARDS TO ENDORSE OBAMA!!

Grand Moff Joseph — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:33:48 EDT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/14/john-edwards-endorsing-ob_n_101749.html

NBC AND OTHERS CONFIRM THIS BREAKING NEWS:

EDWARDS TO ENDORSE OBAMA TONIGHT IN MICHIGAN!!!!!

134.5 Delegates From The Nomination

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:14:06 EDT

Today Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan endorsed Obama for President.

Barack Obama is 134.5 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination. Obama now has been endorsed by 288.5 superdelegates.

Morgan, who is a designated superdelegate for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said the key to his decision to support Obama was Obama's electability, and that having Obama as the Democratic Candidate for President will help other candidates.

"Senator Obama embodies the character of a leader that I believe all Oklahomans and all Americans want—principled and strong and ready to change the way business is done in Washington," Morgan stated, adding, "Senator Obama’s message is spreading like wildfire and creating enthusiasm from voters unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime."

Carole

Pro-Choice NARAL PAC Endorses Obama

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:17:02 EDT

Pro-Choice America endorsed Barack Obama for President. NARAL, with more than 1 million member/activists in all 50 states, is the political leader of the pro-choice movement.

Positions by Obama versus John McCain on pro-choice were contrasted by NARAL's president, Nancy Keenan.

"While Sen. Obama has consistently and passionately stood up for and articulated his support for the values of freedom and privacy, John McCain has said that he wants Roe v. Wade to be overturned."

Keenan said the stark contrast between Sen. Obama’s pro-choice record and John McCain’s 25 years of anti-choice votes in Washington will be a major reason many voters, especially pro-choice Independent and Republican women, will cross party lines to support Sen. Obama in the fall.

Keenan said the differences between McCain and Obama will unify the U.S. pro-choice majority behind Obama.

(Read More)

Carole

I agree with McCain about Obama and Hamas

Wayne — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:18:02 EDT

Are you going to let a terrorist tell you how to vote?

John McCain thinks you should.

TGIF: Three More Superdelegates & A Union Endorsement

Deborah Simmel — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:53:06 EDT

Three more come our way, and one of them is a switch! And a bonus Union Endorsement. Gotta love Fridays!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080509/ap_on_el_pr/obama_endorsement;_ylt=Aka47duyZSJSK9YiU1VlpGJh24cA

GEORGE MCGOVERN ENDORSES OBAMA!!!

Denise from Medford — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:04:32 EDT

Just coming in: George McGovern, former Democratic presidential nominee and Clinton supporter, has announced his endorsement for Senator Obama. Also, he is encouraging HRC to drop out of the race!

The Morning After!

ObamaBob NSB — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:03:48 EDT

FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!

I FINALLY woke up to see results even better than when i gave it up last night!!

What a win! And Indiana within 2 points! Amazing!

OUR GUY IS GOING TO DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SUPERDELEGATES, HE'S NOW PROVEN ON ALL FRONTS, IT'S TIME FOR YOUR ENDORSEMENT OF BARACK OBAMA!

Here he is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsrgYvx7KJE

Yea, Yea, Yea, YES WE CAN!!!!

Indy Star

Chuck — Sun, 04 May 2008 22:27:44 EDT

I have long been unhappy about The Star's coverage of the election, with bias towards Hillary showing day after day in the priority of articles, the tone of articles, even the photos they decide to show. Their recent endorsement of Hillary simply confirms what I already knew. Well, endorsing is one thing, but bias in reporting is not acceptable to me. I have a daily subscription to The Star. I am going to call tomorrow and have that reduced to Sunday only. I need the Sunday for the ads and coupons. When I call, I will tell them that the reason for my reduction in subscription is their bias towards Hillary, resulting in their endorsement of Hillary. I encourage others to do the same.

DISPATCHES FROM THE GROUND WAR (OBAMA GETS NOD FROM LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL)

Martin Edwin "Mick" from Churchton, MD — Sun, 04 May 2008 19:06:09 EDT

May 4, 2008

Barack Obama for the Democrats

Many Democrats have taken to worrying that the protracted and excruciatingly close battle for their party's presidential nomination may divide their ranks and diminish their chances of victory in November.

But that's a glass-half-empty view. A more positive outlook is that at a time when the departing administration has steered the nation severely off course, Democrats are blessed with two candidates of intelligence, vision and vigor.

And Americans have responded, with a surge in voting and registration.

Sen. Barack Obama referred to that excitement in a teleconference interview last week with this newspaper's editorial board. "We were always the longshot," he said. "The fact we've done so well speaks to the hunger of the American people for a different message and a different direction."

We agree, and we also believe that Sen. Obama is the Democratic candidate better equipped to restore Americans' hope for the future and to bring change to Washington.

For that reason, we endorse Sen. Obama in Tuesday's Indiana primary and in the May 20 contest in Kentucky.