Tag Archives: New Hampshire

This Week With Barack Obama, January 6-12, 2008

January 14, 2008 icebergslim

arizona gov. janet napolitano endorses obama

Debates

January 15, 2008, Las Vegas, NV, NBC/MSNBC, Brian Williams & Tim Russert

January 31, 2008, Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, CNN

Nevada Caucus Information

senator john kerry endorses obama in charleston, sc

kerry endorses obama in south carolina

Obama Apperances and Campaign Events

January 14, 2008 – Stand for Change with Barack, Reno, NV

January 14, 2008 – Meet the Candidate with Barack, Fallon, NV

January 14, 2008 – Stand for Change Town Hall with Barack, Carson City, NV

New Hampshire, what a ride there!!

Really, everyone believed the polling from the candidates to the TV pundits, but in the end Barack lost by only 2% points.

The truth of the matter is this, “No one should believe any polls, until the votes are counted.” I have never lived or died by the polls and only really believe them a week out to see the trend, now forget the polls.

Count the votes and pundits shut up.

obama accepts culinary union endorsement, las vegas, nv

Obama Fact Check Website

Second in NH, Obama Still Fired Up!!

New Hampshire Photoblog–Canvassing for Obama by casperr

Don’t Count the Women Out for Obama

Michelle Obama: Husband is No “Fairytale”

Michelle Obama said Sunday her husband is the person America needs in the White House right now and criticized anyone who would dismiss his campaign as being built on illusion or fairytale.

She said Barack Obama is the right candidate “not because of the color of his skin, but because of the quality and consistency of his character” and that postponing his bid for the White House was not an option.

“I know about the sense of doubt and fear about what the future holds, that keeps us hoping and waiting for a turn that will never come,” she said. “There are a lot of doubters and naysayers out there talking about, ‘I’m not sure America is ready for a black president.'”

But she declared that “we are more ready and prepared than we can ever know.” AP

Fairbanks, Alaska…and Obama by nadeane

Kerry: “Lets Kick their Ass” (Video + pix) by al rodgers

the heart and soul of the party by kid oakland

Governor Napolitano Cites “Fresh Voice” for Obama Endorsement

obama’s speech from new hampshire, “yes we can”

shoutouts: kid oakland, a reality break: part one; bill richardson leaves the race; black kos; obama for a new majority by populista; bonddad; one year later and nothing about the “surge” worked by clammyc

obama in jersey city, nj, jan 9, 2008

Senator Dick Durbin Warns Clinton

California and Arizona See Obama Ads Running on Television

Obama Challenging Clinton in New York

Yes.We.Can by Populista

Obama Casts a Wide Net

Who’s Afraid of Obama?

Ever since he threw his hat into the presidential ring, some liberals have worried that Barack Obama is unelectable. This country, they say, simply isn’t ready for a black president. Ultimately, the concern that Obama can’t win because he’s black says a lot more about the people who voice it than it does about the electorate it purportedly describes. So, who are these people, and what’s really behind their anxiety?

It’s tempting to say the “electability” worry is a pretext for people who really oppose Obama due to their own racial prejudices, and I’m sure that’s true in some cases. But it’s the folks who worry for Obama for his own good who are most fascinating. Lots of black people have said they think Obama can’t win and others-predominantly from the Southeastern states-have gone further and said they’ll vote against him to “protect” him from the inevitable assassination attempts that will dog a black president.

I find it hard to take this rather appalling paternalism seriously, but if it is a pretext, then what is going on in the minds of these defeatists? I suspect there are three distinct reasons for Obama fatalism among liberals of all races: false realism, once-bitten timidity, and investment-in-oppression.

eve of unlv, las vegas, nv, debate

Blogs and Websites

One Million Strong; This Week With Barack Obama; Brown Iowa; The Populista Report; Relentless Liberal; Washington State; Obama Dallas; NYC4OBAMA; NewYork4Obama; Texans for Obama; Republicans for Obama; Vermont for Obama; Independents for Obama; Seattle for Obama; Idaho for Obama; Asians for Obama; Bay Area for Obama; Sacramento for Obama; Families for Obama; Irish Americans for Obama; D.C. for Obama; Obama NH; Obama News Vine; Black Women for Obama; Obama Santa Cruz; Think on These Things; Iowa Republicans for Obama; Another Democratic Woman for Obama; RENObama!; Go Barack Obama; Netroots for Obama; Economists for Obama

Clintons Move to Ease Racial Tensions

Obama Book Sales are a Boom

February 5th News

Obama Spell is Strong

Obama’s Movement vs. Clinton Campaign

David Brooks: Bush White House Would Prefer Clinton by psericks

obama at del sol hs, las vegas, nv

Endorsements/Announcements

Four new offices opening in California; Offfice opening in Bismarck, ND; Congressman Adam Schiff Endorses Obama; Senator Ben Nelson Endorses, (D-NE) Obama; Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona, Endorses Obama; Ned Lamont Endorses Obama; Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) Endorses Obama; Congressman George Miller (D-CA) Endorses Obama; Maine Sunday Telegraph Endorses Obama; St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley Endorses Obama; Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin Endorses Obama; National Union: UNITE HERE Endorses Obama; The United Association (UA)of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada Endorses Obama; California Endorsements; SEIU Nevada Endorses Obama

No Sad Faces at the Obama Camp

Democrats Eye California

The Rhetoric Sharpens

Buried in the NH Exit Polls, Obama the Most Electable

Barack Obama Announces Plan to Revitalize the Economy

Barack Obama today unveiled a plan to revitalize the economy in the short-term with a stimulus package that will immediately inject $75 billion into the economy in the form of tax cuts and direct spending targeted to working families, seniors, homeowners and the unemployed. The plan also includes $45 billion in reserves that can be injected into the economy quickly in the future if the economy continues to deteriorate. Obama will discuss the plan later today at events in Nevada.

“The time has come to bridge the growing divide between Main Street and Wall Street,” said Barack Obama. “The American Dream is slipping out of reach for many families whose paychecks aren’t meeting the increased costs of their medical bills and tuition payments. Four months ago I said it was time to put a middle-class tax cut worth $1000 per family into the pockets of workers who deserve it. A tax cut that would eliminate income taxes for seniors who make under $50,000. We can’t wait for the next president to act. We need that middle-class tax cut now more than ever – not five months from now or five weeks from now, but now. I’m announcing a plan to jumpstart the economy by putting money in the pockets of those who need it most and will spend it quickly.”

“Strengthening our economy and creating good-paying jobs will be Barack Obama’s priority from the day he takes office,” said Governor Tim Kaine, who held a conference call with reporters to discuss the plan. “But we must act today. Barack Obama has offered a plan that will restore fairness to the economy and ensure that hard-working Americans can provide for their families and save for their future. Barack Obama offers us the best chance to revitalize our economy because he has the strength to unite Democrats, independents, and Republicans to pass reforms that will invest in all of America.” more

Obama, Clinton Want High Profile Backers

Key Backing Lifts Obama

My Money’s on Obama

Obama and Clinton: The Showdown is South Carolina

icebergslim’s last word: the clintons

First off, the lost in New Hampshire was stunning. It was for many. After depending on polling both campaigns, the pundits, everyone believed Barack will win New Hampshire. Well, it did not pan out that way, and he lost by 2% points.

Lesson. Wait for the returns. Forget the pundits and spin, wait for the return. Everyone learned a lesson on that one.

Next. Hillary Clinton.

There has been much talk this past week about not only Hillary Clinton but her husband, Bill Clinton. This campaign is being run straight out of the Karl Rove playbook. After watching Meet the Press it was painfully clear.

I don’t agree about the vetting of Barack Obama. Look what he has gone through since his announcement and is still standing. You must also remember, all the smears, foul tactics are from Clinton surrogates and Bill Clinton himself. Let us review their playbook.

Prior to Iowa, there were two different times that Clinton staffers/volunteers were caught spreading the email Muslim smear against Barack Obama. And again, we get a limp, “I did not know. I did not authorize it.”

The Billy Shaheen incident. Shaheen was Clinton’s campaign manager for New Hampshire. His very unsettling remark of the “GOP will ask if Obama sold drugs”, not only outraged the African-American community, but many black establishment picked the phone up and weighed in on The Clintons and their smear tactics. Result, Hillary Clinton, publicly apologized to Barack Obama in D.C. at the airstrip as they were about to fly to Des Moines, Iowa. Billy Shaheen removed from the campaign. Shaheen’s wife, Jeanne Shaheen, former Governor of New Hampshier is now running for the senate seat, against, Sununu. Polling has her losing ground since her husband’s incident. The good folk of New Hampshire don’t like or appreciate slimy campaign tactics.

A former senator from Nebraska, Bob Kerrey, came on board for Hillary Clinton. In doing so, he also made menace of Barack’s heritage, family and name. So many found that over the top and offensive, Kerrey had to apologize.

Hillary referenced the Civil Rights Era as had it not been for LBJ and passing the Civil Rights Act, it would not have been. Stating it took the power of the president to get it done. Well with Martin Luther King, Jr. anniversary upon us in a week, ask many of those who are still alive what they went through. Meaning, many blacks and whites were beaten, dogs attacked, hoses put upon these individuals, and many were killed for ending segregation and justice.

Bill Clinton. Notorious for being all about me, then referenced Obama’s campaign as a fairy tale. Bill Clinton then had to go on Al Sharpton’s radio program to explain his answer and himself. Why? The African-American community was shocked and now angered.

The Clinton Campaign complained and tried to suppress the college, youth vote in Iowa. The campaign complained about out-of-state students participating in the caucus, when the law states clearly that they can. As Clinton advisers stated, “Our people look like caucus-goers [and Obama’s] look like Facebook.” Now the Clinton Campaign is entrenched in suppressing the caucus goers in Nevada, targeting the casino workers.

All of this leading up to Clinton’s performance on Meet the Press.

Through this program, practically every answer from her mouth was about Barack Obama. Watching this program, you would think Barack was sitting next to her. Literally and figuratively. Tim Russert, then questioned Hillary Clinton’s vote for Iraq, she could not answer straight because she was on the Barack Obama bandwagon.

Since, Donna Brazile, a Democratic Strategist and Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-SC) have weighed in with displeasure of The Clintons campaign tactics, they have been under the gun. Both are neutral on the race, as for endorsements, Clyburn is insinuating that he may just endorse. While all this is going on The Clintons are still implying that the Obama Campaign is the one who have started the veiled race notions, when it is clear and evident that all this has been started by Team Clinton.

As for Barack Obama’s response, read it here.

The Democratic Party is a big tent. We have people of all races, ethnicities, backgrounds, etc. This is the party of inclusion, not exclusion. It pains many to see these nasty, dirty tactics being used against Barack Obama. Does vetting from your own party mean, all the above? If so, what kind of party is this?

GOP tactics have no business in this primary season. It does not. Which only make it perfectly clear what The Clintons are about. Winning at all cost, don’t care about any opponent, winning just narrowly, abide by 50+1 guideline, don’t care about a 50 State Strategy, and only care about themselves.

The last time I read, The Democratic Party was not named “The Clinton Party.” We must vote for total change, not some change, total change.

Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-SC) will remain neutral for any endorsements for South Carolina. At this point, one is not needed, the damage by The Clintons has already been done. Read here.

If you appreciate the weekly Obama Roundup, then Tip My Obama Jar!! Minimum five dollars. This contribution goes directly to the Obama Campaign. We are in the beginning of the caucuses and primaries, with our eye on the Tsunami Tuesday of February 5th with 22 states voting. If you have not made your contribution, do so today.

the above picture is in las vegas with gov. napolitano of arizona. much has happened this week, but we must move on. all the negativity by the clinton campaign, just make all those out there watching this angered that a democrat would stoop so low towards another democrat. again, we are the democratic party, not the clinton party. remember this, as we march forward….and always focus on obama and not the drama….

contact me @ [email protected]

This Week With Barack Obama

Uncategorized

Hillary – Not Clinton – Prevailed Last Night

January 9, 2008 paulhogarth

While everyone’s still in shock about N.H., I wrote this for today’s Beyond Chron.

The polls in the final days showing Barack Obama with a double-digit lead in New Hampshire were not wrong, and I was not unreasonable – though a bit cocky – to gloat that the Clintons were history. Instead, what happened was 17% of New Hampshire voters made up their minds on Election Day. And Hillary Clinton’s huge gender gap suggests that last-minute media attacks on her “crying” swayed women to her side. Just like Iowa, New Hampshire voters said that change was more important than experience – which continues to be her Achilles heel as the race moves to Nevada and South Carolina. Last week, the New York Senator was in danger of losing because voters saw her as “Clinton” – the establishment candidate who will carry on a political dynasty when voters want something new. But on Election Day, enough came to view her as “Hillary” who would create change by becoming the first woman President. This explains the unexpected result, and the tide of public opinion can still shift back.

It’s hard to remember now (since in politics a week can be a lifetime), but two months ago Hillary Clinton was the prohibitive front-runner – who was supposed to grab the Democratic nomination by “inevitability.” Despite efforts by progressives to show that she is truly not one of us, people were just buying her campaign line. Women were flocking to her candidacy as a historic first, and attempts to re-invent herself as an “agent of change” were actually working.

But in late November, while campaigning for his wife in Iowa, former President Bill Clinton lied that he had always opposed the War. This moment reminded everyone what they didn’t like about the Clintons: their disdain for the Left and their efforts to minimize Iraq, and became a turning point in the campaign. Bubba’s visible presence on the campaign trail – and his inability to avoid the limelight – became the issue, as voters started seriously wondering whether they really wanted to start a dynasty.

On the day before the New Hampshire primary, right after her humiliating 3rd place finish in Iowa, two things events that could have had an enormous impact on the race. One was when Bill Clinton told a group of supporters that he “can’t make [Hillary] taller, younger, male” – debunking the notion that her status as a woman would make her a “change” candidate. It also exposed the former President as a jerk who only cares about himself, his legacy, and is delusional enough to think he can save her floundering campaign.

But not enough people heard about this – and the other campaigns never made it an issue. It had no impact on the result, which could have sealed the deal for Obama. What instead dominated the news coverage was the famous incident where Hillary Clinton cried. When asked by a reporter “how do you handle it,” she choked up and gave an emotional speech in a New Hampshire diner – which is very unusual for her to do while campaigning.

The media didn’t know what to make of this. Some compared it to the Howard Dean scream and said it made her look weak. Others questioned her sincerity, calling it a calculated, cynical move to make her look human. I had a different interpretation: it was real, and to suggest otherwise would be tasteless and cold. The Clintons were just cracking under pressure – after building their dynasty without standing for anything, the Democratic voters were rejecting their agenda. And Hillary was at a loss on what to do.

But the media’s reaction had a huge effect on women – especially middle-aged women – who generally felt that it was sexist and unfair. How dare you question whether her crying was sincere, they felt, and women did not appreciate the suggestion that it made her look weak and vulnerable. For months, my sister had complained to me that Clinton gets attacked in the media in a way that they would never attack a man. Enough came to see her as Hillary – not Mrs. Clinton – and decided that her status as the first woman president embodied “change.” So they voted for her as an “agent of change.”

Obama won Iowa by eight points, and beat Clinton among women by a 5-point margin. For women under 25, Clinton got a pitiful 11%. But in New Hampshire, women picked her by a 47-34 margin. Among older women, the gap was even wider — while she still lost women under 30. It would be way too simplistic – and sexist – to conclude that women voted for Hillary “because she cried.” But they voted for her because the media attacked her and questioned her about it, which backfired.

In what will go down as one of the stupidest moments in campaign history, John Edwards chose to respond to the crying incident. “I think what we need in a commander-in-chief is strength and resolve,” he said, “and presidential campaigns are tough business, but being president of the United States is also tough business.” You do not run against a female candidate – especially one as formidable as Hillary Clinton – and play that card. Someone should have told Edwards to just shut up.

Barack Obama was wise enough to stay above the fray, which hopefully means that he can pick up support among women. But Edwards took a hit from what happened, based on his poor third-place showing. While not all women were swayed to vote for Hillary Clinton, enough did. My hunch is that her last-minute support came from undecided women – or those who were supporting Edwards.

You know that Edwards really screwed up when Amanda Marcotte, an ex-blogger from his campaign, reacted like this: “Completely unacceptable amounts of sexism. It’s bad enough that the media plays the game with Clinton where if she shows any emotion, she’s too feminine or too scary, but if she’s more stoic, she’s a scary ballbuster, but to have her own party members (if political rivals) play that cheap sexist card is too much.”

But despite the surprising result, it’s naïve to assume that last night changed everything and voters will stay with Clinton as a “change” candidate. Just like Iowa, exit polls showed that 50% of New Hampshire voters picked change over experience. Enough women may have rallied to Hillary’s defense for now, but voters are still not comfortable with the idea of “another Clinton.” Especially if the former President keeps on drawing attention to himself.

Yesterday in New Hampshire, the ex-President again put his foot in his mouth. When asked about “judgment” at a campaign event when choosing a candidate, Clinton went on a three-minute rant that was defensive, angry and hostile. He again implied that he had always opposed the Iraq War. His contempt for Obama was visible, like his infamous interview on “Charlie Rose” last month. Bubba just can’t help making himself the issue, and it will hurt his wife.

Obama can still take the race to Nevada, South Carolina and Super Tuesday on February 5th – and a narrow defeat in New Hampshire could help him come back. The Culinary Workers Union is expected to endorse him today – which would make him competitive in Nevada. Blacks in South Carolina will still turn out for him. What could stop him is the media rushing to crown Hillary Clinton as the “inevitable nominee,” just like they do for every establishment candidate who gets an upstart challenger.

“Clinton should thank her lucky stars that the race didn’t end tonight,” said a friend of mine who had flown to New Hampshire to help get out the vote. An Obama victory would have done exactly that, for two back-to-back victories would have ended the Clinton dynasty. But Clinton’s narrow victory in the Granite State, though unexpected, will not. We’ll just get tired of hearing she’s the “Comeback Kid.”

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Uncategorized

Bill Clinton Goes Nuts

January 7, 2008 paulhogarth 1 Comment

Granted, he meant it as a joke to pump up partisan Hillary supporters at a campaign stop. But seriously. The guy is a jerk, and he simply can’t help being part of the story. When people ask me why I hate Hillary Clinton so much, I tell them that 85% is due to the fact that Bill Clinton betrayed everything the Democratic Party stands for.

Uncategorized

They’re the Problem, they’re NOT the Solution!

January 7, 2008 jamess

Nope, you can’t buy an Election, why …

Cuz … Money Don’t Vote

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

—-

Yes, for a few more years at least,

The People still do … (vote that is)

John Edwards at LiveStrong on Corporate Lobbyists

August 2007 (moderator Chris Matthews)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

—-

John Edwards:

If you could do it, by compromise and negotiation —

Then WHY don’t we have Universal Health Care today?

John Edwards – Just Say No to Lobbyists

October 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

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John Edwards:

The reason we don’t have Universal Health Care today is because of Drug Companies, Insurance Companies and their Lobbyists, in Washington. They stand between you and the Health Care that you need.

We have to take this system on, we have to change it. We have to be willing to be honest about it.

…

You have to say NO to these People!

You have to say as President I represent the American People!

That’s the only way we’ll get the Change that we need in this Country.

John Edwards on Taking on Entrenched Special Interests

1-5-2008 NH Debate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

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John Edwards:

I want to say a quick word about this. You know, it is true that these entrenched interests — whether you’re talking about oil companies, drug companies, gas companies, whoever — these entrenched interests are literally stealing our children’s future. They have a stranglehold on this democracy and they are having an incredibly destructive force on the middle class, on families being able to do what my family has done and so many who are sitting here have been able to do.

And the problem is you can’t be with those people, take their money and then challenge them. It doesn’t work. You have to be willing to actually stand up and say no — no to lobbyist money, no to PAC money, no corporate lobbyists working for me in the White House. If you intend to take them on, and if it is personal for you — and this is extraordinarily personal for me — if it’s personal for you, then you can be successful bringing about the change.

Teddy Roosevelt — just one quick example — Teddy Roosevelt — Teddy Roosevelt, a great American president — he didn’t make deals with the monopolies and the trusts. Teddy Roosevelt took them on, busted the monopolies, busted the trusts. That’s what it’s going to take.

We have a battle in front of us. We do. I don’t think we have a problem with politicians in Washington spending enough time with lobbyists and going to cocktail parties. They do it all the time. They do it every single day, and I’ll tell you who’s paying the price for those cocktail parties: Natalie Sarkisian, every single American who doesn’t have health care coverage, everybody who’s going to the gas pump and paying so much money for their gas. When are we going to have a president who actually takes these people on? That’s what I’m going to do.

John Edwards: “Enough is enough”

1-5-2008 NH Debate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

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John Edwards:

What you see happening in America today, if you’re president of the United States and you’re looking at this from altitude is you see a very few Americans getting wealthier and wealthier, you see the biggest corporations in America’s profits through the roof — ExxonMobil just made $40 billion, record profits — all of that happening at the same time that we have 47 million people with no health care, 37 million who will wake up in this country tomorrow worried about feeding and clothing their children. Tonight, 200,000 men and women who wore the uniform of the United States of America and served this country honorably will go to sleep under bridges and on grates.

It’s time for us to say and it’s time for the president to say enough is enough. This is a battle for the future of our children. This is a battle for the middle class.

Let’s take jobs, which we haven’t talked about. We’ve touched on a lot of other things, but we haven’t talked about jobs. We’ve had a trade and tax policy that is bleeding American jobs, and all it has done is pad the profits of the biggest multinational corporations in America. You talk about professors here at this college.

…

I saw a projection just a week or so ago suggesting that America could lose as many as 20 (million) to 30 million more jobs over the next decade. Think about that for a minute, 30 million. And who’s the most at-risk group? College graduates. This is not just people who are working in mills and working in factories — who have been devastated by this, completely devastated — these are middle-class families, these are college graduates and their jobs at risk.

“We need a different Tax Policy, a different Trade Policy,

where the first question, and this is what I WILL ask

when I’m President of the United States:

‘Is this Trade Proposal, Is this Tax Proposal,

IS it good for working Middle Class Americans?’

That’s the Question!”

John Edwards: This Week with George Stephanopoulos

1-5-2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

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John Edwards: The real question is What is Day One in the White House going to look like? “Day One, in my White House there will be NO Corporate Lobbyists, Nobody who Lobbied for Foreign Governments.”

…

“Yes. There will be NO Lobbyists who have worked for Trial Lawyers, NO Lobbyists who have worked for Big Corporations in my White House — Period!”

…

“I don’t think the Lobbyists are doing America any good! I think what they’re doing is, they’re standing up against working Middle Class families. And the Middle Class is struggling, and at risk as a result.”

…

This is the reason George, that the Voters here in NH, and all the future States, need an ‘unfiltered Debate’ between the two of us, about who can best bring about change.

George Stephanopoulos: You want a 2-person race?

John Edwards: I want a debate with — Listen I like Senator Obama very much. We do have a basic general view that is very similar. But I have a very view than he does, about how we bring about Change. I think we have an ‘epic fight’ on our hands, against these entrenched monied interests. And I think we’ll never be successful —

George Stephanopoulos: He led the fight for Lobbying Reform in the Senate, he says.

John Edwards: But he talks about this in a that suggests, you sit at a table and negotiate, with Drug Company Lobbyists, Insurance Company Lobbyists, and Oil Company Lobbyists, and you can somehow negotiate — they’ll negotiate their power away. That’s a fantasy, in my judgment! I don’t think it will ever happen! I’ve been these people my entire life. First for 20 years in court rooms. And then I did it in public life.

…

What I am saying is these people have a disproportionate influence on the way the Government works, and they are stopping Progress. And let me be specific, we’re talking about this too generically:

Drug Companies and Insurance Companies have killed Health Care Reform in America.

Oil Companies have kept us from protecting the Environment, by attacking Global Warming.

The biggest multi-national corporations have set up, a set of Trade Systems and a set of Tax Laws that benefit them and profit them, but the Middle Class and working people are struggling as the result.

That is Wrong! I want to be the President that fights for the Middle Class, fights for working people, the kind of people I grew up with, George. I said this last night. This not abstract, or academic for me — it is PERSONAL! I see these people, going to these cocktail parties, having their receptions. You’ve been there George, you know how it works!

…

I mentioned this last night, this young woman who lost her life Nataline Sarkisyan, just a few week ago. Because her insurance company, one of the largest in America would not pay for a liver transplant operation — even though she HAD insurance. They would NOT pay for it! And People say to me, as their President, they want me to sit at a table and negotiate with these people?

I mean, they’re the PROBLEM, they’re NOT the SOLUTION!

And my job is to stand up for the American People against them!

…

This Cause, of fighting for people like Nataline Sarkisyan, fighting for people like my own family, and for the Middle Class, and giving them a decent life. And making sure their kids have a better life — which is what this is ultimately about — this is ‘the Cause of my Life’!

And I have NO Intention of stopping!

I am in this, through the Convention — and to the White House.

George Stephanopoulos: through the Convention?

John Edwards: Absolutely!

… I am in this through the Convention — and to the White House.

SO … Who is Standing up for you and your family, and your Future?

Who is looking for just another way, that we can “all just get along” …

I’m sorry, “Playing Nice” just does NOT work, anymore!

That Ship has sailed!

Look what happens when you work hard and “play by the rules” — hard-working Americans “get played for fools”!

Distribution of Wealth Trends in the US

http://www.bluehampshire.com/s…

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http://afferentinput.blogspot….

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[Each Quintile represents 20% of the Population, vs the break-even Zero-line.]

Well, advocates of Free Trade like to say: “there are Winners and there are Losers”

It’s just there are a heck of lot more of us

on the Downward sloping Trend AWAY from Progress and a Better Life —

Than there are those who actually moving TOWARDS IT!

(that is, about 95% have “been played”, if you look at the Game going on!)

John Edwards IS Right: “Enough is enough!”

This Game Must End!

Can American really continue to “play nice” with those Entrenched Interests, and their paid Lobbyists, that are part of the PROBLEM?

Do you trust them to “play fair” so that we can all get along, and arrive at a SOLUTION?

IF you think that, well, DO I have a Bridge in Minnesota, I want to sell you!

Uncategorized

Inevitable Is as Inevitable Does

January 4, 2008 Bob Brigham 3 Comments

Wabooom. Kabbbam. Iowa cauces…couple of thoughts:

John Edwards’ number rounds up to 30, Hillary Clinton’s rounds down to 29 (by 3/100ths of a point – ouch). There is a reason why $29.99 appears far less than $30.00
With same day registration, Chris Dodd and Joe Biden calling no joy, and fierce Baracketting, New Hampshire looks like another upset win for Barack Obama on Tuesday
This means Nevada will become Hillary’s first potential win. This puts California boots in play with the ease of traveling to Vegas/Henderson or Reno
Expect this to put a f-ton of small dollar money heading to Anyone But Clinton — I think Obama could best $12 million by New Hampshire
Clinton isn’t in the top 3 on the huge facebook poll by the League of Young Voters, Moveon, et al.
The San Francisco Obama party at Tosca was packed and emotionally loud. Crowd included Paul Hogarth and Frank Russo and Jared Huffman

California

This Week With Barack Obama, December 16-22, 2007

December 25, 2007 icebergslim

cross posted @ One Million Strong

Iowa Caucus Center

Nevada Caucus Center

Obama Iowa Mailer

obama at storm lake, ia, december 17th

Obama Apperances and Campaign Events

December 26, 2007 – Town Hall Meeting with Barack, Mason City, IA

December 26, 2007 – Meet the Candidate with Barack Obama, Webster City, IA

December 26, 2007 – Rally with Barack, Fort Dodge, IA

December 26, 2007 – Rally with Barack, Carroll, IA

December 27, 2007 – Meet the Candidate with Barack Obama, Nevada, IA

December 27, 2007 – Meet the Candidate with Barack Obama, Marshalltown, IA

December 27, 2007 – Meet the Candidate with Barack Obama, Toledo, IA

December 27, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Vinton, IA

December 28, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Willamsburg, IA

December 28, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Coralville, IA

December 28, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Clinton, IA

December 28, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Davenport, IA

December 28, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Muscatine, IA

December 29, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Burlington, IA

December 29, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Fort Madison, IA

December 29, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Keokuk, IA

December 29, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Mount Pleasant, IA

December 29, 2007 – Rally with Barack, Ottumwa, IA

December 30, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Knoxville, IA

December 30, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Newton, IA

December 30, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Indianola, IA

December 30, 2007 – Barack’s ‘Stand for Change Tour’, Des Moines, IA

December 31, 2007 – New Year’s Eve with Barack, Perry, IA

December 31, 2007 – New Year’s Eve with Barack, Jefferson, IA

December 31, 2007 – Meet and Greet with Michelle Obama, Grinnell, IA

December 31, 2007 – New Year’s Eve with Barack, Boone, IA

December 31, 2007 – New Year’s Eve with Barack, Iowa Falls, IA

December 31, 2007 – New Year’s Eve with Barack, Ames, IA

obama on 527s

Obama Hitting His Stride in Iowa

Obama Says He’s Ready for White House

Obama Describes Faith Amid False Rumors

Selling Obama Door to Door

Obama Says Clintons’ Attacks Will Backfire

Guess what? I believe that too. We have witnessed the undoing of an inevitable campaign, due to the sheer fact that Team Clinton truly believed the poll numbers, and that Team Clinton underestimated Barack Obama.

Barack Obama, stung by a fresh Bill Clinton attack on him, predicted that the Clinton campaign’s increasingly negative tone will backfire by reminding voters of the bad, old “blood sport” days of the 1990s.

Speaking to reporters in this frozen central Iowa city yesterday, Obama said he was less than impressed by Hillary Rodham Clinton’s apology for an aide’s suggestion that he once dealt drugs. Asked if Clinton’s mea culpa was sincere, a stone-faced Obama replied, “I’m not going to characterize it.”

Many have watched in amusement, disbelief, sadness as Bill Clinton, on Charlie Rose’s Show stated that Barack was not ready for this presidency. That he was a “roll of the dice”. Well, wasn’t Bill Clinton that in 1992? No one knew him from Adam’s Hatrack. A govenor from a tiny state, that was last in virtually everything, all of a sudden on that national scene. Much was written about Bill Clinton’s age, inexperience, etc. But somehow, the country believed it was time for someone new, fresh, not entrenched in Washington, D.C.

Now the quiet, rumblings, anger in the African-American Community is being talked about daily, and it is about the antics of The Clintons. Whoever is advising Hillary Clinton should be fired. Her misleading and mishandling of her staff is atrocious. The outwardly racial baiting from her hench men Joesph Wilson, Bob Kerrey and Bill Shaheen has not bid her well to the African-American Community.

From Bob Johnson’s Diary:

A piece in Sunday’s Washington Post confirms what many people here have been discussing over the last month as Obama has crept up in the polls:

Racial Undercurrent Is Seen in Clinton Campaign

It has unfolded mostly under the radar. But an important development in the 2008 Democratic battle may be the building backlash among African Americans over comments from associates of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton that could be construed as jabs at Sen. Barack Obama’s race.

These officials, including Clinton aides and prominent surrogates, have raised questions or dropped references about Obama’s position on sentencing guidelines for crack vs. powder cocaine offenses; on his handgun control record; and on his admitted use of drugs as a youth. The context was always Obama’s “electability.” But the Illinois senator’s campaign advisers said some African American leaders detect a pattern, and they believe it could erode Clinton’s strong base of black support.

This article is accurate and precise. Many don’t understand the Black Community and the radio. teacherken was one of the first to shout out, “hey something is going on here. The Black Community is livid about The Clintons insinuation of Barack Obama selling drugs and her campaign using racial tactics.” (paraphrasing) And this was his synopsis by listening to Black Radio.

The Clintons missed a mark here. The Black Community is angry. Period. Many don’t care if Clinton attack Obama on the issues, it is politics, it is hardball. But to slither to the depths of slimy snakes and use his ethnicity, race, family against him? Sorry, Hillary, you now have Black Voters who were firmly in your corner, moving to Barack Obama. And whose fault is that?

If it don’t smell right, it ain’t right.

Video/Audio

New Iowa Ad, Enough; Iowa Ad, Candor; Nashua Telegraph Editorial Board Video; Michelle Obama Video; Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr and Govenor Tim Kaine in Columbia, SC; Barack in Indianola, IA

Obama Fires Up Crowd in Iowa

Obama Touts Rural Plans in Iowa

Second Choices In Iowa

portsmouth, nh, dec 20

Polls

Yes, coming daily, sometime two and three. Expect this through January.

Boston Globe NH Poll; Reuters Poll On Clinton’s Negativity; USA/Gallup National Poll; Survey/USA Iowa and General Poll; Zogby National Poll; Washington Post/ABC Iowa and Internals; Insiders Advantage Georgia Poll; Insiders Advantage Iowa Poll; CBS South Carolina Poll; Wall Street Journal Poll; Survey/USA California Poll; Rasmussen South Carolina Poll; Hotline National Poll

Obama for America by Femlaw

Endorsing Barack Obama for President 2008 by GirlZero

Obama Campaigns Comes to Nashville by GoldnI

Populista’s Obama Rising Roundup: Iowa Edition December 6-13

shoutouts: clinton loses luster; bill clinton downplays wife’s chances in iowa; say goodbye to the fec by adamb; black kos; food pantries turning people away as demand doubles by bink; nyceve; online forum on foreclosure and bankruptcy relief by rep. brad miller; huckabee, my way; john edwards, will you stand up? by adamb

JustAngry has put out a great series broken down into six pieces, focusing on all the aspects you need to know about Barack Obama. Simply titled, The Only Thing You Need To Know. This is well worth a read for anyone who is searching more specific information about Senator Barack Obama.

Obama: I’ve Fought Harder Against Special Interests

Obama Makes Big Gains in California by Femlaw

Appealing to Indy Voters

Obama Finds His Address

happy holidays from the obamas

Big Battle For South Carolina

In barely more than a month, the political attention now focused on the early voting in Iowa and New Hampshire will turn southward, to a Georgia neighbor with a proven record of helping decide presidential nominations.

South Carolina’s first-in-the-South primaries are set for Jan. 19, and tracking is already well under way. CNN released an Opinion Research poll Friday that showed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee claiming support from 24 percent of the state’s Republican voters, surging eight percentage points ahead of one-time front-runner, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), former Sen. John Edwards (center) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) are locked in a close race in South Carolina.

Aong Democrats, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York was holding on at 42 percent against the rising Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who had moved up seven percentage points since a July poll to 34 percent.

CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider predicted an “all-out fight” among candidates well aware of South Carolina’s potentially pivotal role. On the Republican side, South Carolina has picked the eventual party nominee in every primary contest since 1980. In 1992, Bill Clinton used a South Carolina win to solidify his claim on the Democratic nomination after being upset by rival Paul Tsongas in New Hampshire. AJC

Winning Friends Among Former Rivals

Clinton Trying to Wrestle the Change Mantle from Obama

Change We Can Believe In

Obama’s Hoop Buddy

obama in exeter, nh, dec 20th

Endorsements & Announcements

Nashua Telegraph Endorses Obama; Portsmouth Hearld Endorsement for Obama; Dallas Morning News Endorsement; Sioux City Journal Endorsement; Iowa City Press Citizen Endorses Obama; Reka Basu for Obama; State Representative Wayne Ford for Obama; Daily Iowan Endorses Obama; Woodbine Twiner for Obama; Illinois Black Legislators for Obama; Idaho Democratic Lawmakers for Obama; U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack, D-IA, Backs Obama; U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah Endorses Obama; U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott Endorses Obama; Former Rep. Bedell Backs Obama; Blue New Hampshire Bloggers Endorse Obama; Documentary Filmmaker Ken Burns, Endorses Obama; Ministers Endorse Obama; Obama Opens Nashville Office; Obama Files to Caucus in Kansas; Obama Enters New Mexico Caucus; Texas Primary

February 5th Could Decide Between Clinton and Obama

The Obama-Clinton Issue

Law Student Gave Obama Big Thumbs Up

Did Clinton Worker Blow it with Obama Drug Comment?

Obama Talks Foreign Policy

Democrat Barack Obama said Tuesday the nation’s foreign policy challenges call for a new leader who will worry more about doing the right thing than how it will look.

“There are moments in history when it is not enough to fall back on conventional ways of doing things, because the threats we face are unconventional,” Obama said in remarks prepared for delivery. “There are moments when new challenges demand new American leadership.”

He said that for too long the conventional way of thinking about foreign policy has valued “time spent in Washington over timely judgments, posturing over pragmatism and fear of looking weak over the conviction to get things right.”

He said he hasn’t been afraid to buck Washington thinking when it comes to foreign policy, including his opposition of going to war with Iraq while he was a state senator in Illinois. He said he’s the only Democratic nominee his Republican opponent won’t be able to challenge on that point. AP

I Can’t Stop Wondering About Obama’s Mother

Job Loss A Plea for Help

Obama Proposes U.S. Ban on China Toys

60 Foreign Policy Experts Endorse Obama

icebergslim’s last word: closing

Right now all the candidates are running around and doing the closing line.

Good, they should finalize their position with the voter and hope for the best.

But my closing is this, take a look at this map.

It is interactive. See all the dark blue patches? Those are the states with offices or upcoming offices to open for Obama, prior to February 5th.

How important is this? Very important.

While all the candidates are pitching their closing argument, the real argument is who will win on February 5, 2008. That is the question. Meaning, who has the staffing, money, organization, etc., to win decisively on February 5th.

We know Hillary is running a chit driven campaign. She has called the chits in and expects them to perform. Edwards has no presence in these states, at all.

So, what should Iowans look for? Electability? Yes, all candidates are electable. They all have issues but they can be elected. The key word is viability. Which candidates are viable? Which candidates have the strength now and can move people through this process? Which candidate can fund the massive February 5th primary/caucuses and win?

That is the question. And the candidates better have answers for these caucus goers. Because right now, I only see two candidates positioned for this task.

Finally, the two best article read of the week, “Why Did Clinton Overlook Obama?” Good question. Why did she? And Michelle Obama, The Closer in the Family.

Blogs and Websites

One Million Strong; This Week With Barack Obama; The Populista Report; Relentless Liberal; Washington State; Obama Dallas; NYC4OBAMA; NewYork4Obama; Texans for Obama; Republicans for Obama; Vermont for Obama; Independents for Obama; Seattle for Obama; Idaho for Obama; Asians for Obama; Bay Area for Obama; Sacramento for Obama; Families for Obama; Irish Americans for Obama; D.C. for Obama; Obama NH; Obama News Vine; Black Women for Obama; Obama Santa Cruz; Think on These Things; Iowa Republicans for Obama; Another Democratic Woman for Obama; RENObama!; Go Barack Obama; Netroots for Obama; Economists for Obama

If you appreciate the weekly Obama Roundup, then Tip My Obama Jar!! Minimum five dollars. This contribution goes directly to the Obama Campaign. We are in the last stretch of fundraising, Quarter 4, it ends December 31st. Remember to make your contribution.

well, it is cold out there. here at my home in the chicagoland area, the wind or “hawk” is whipping through here, as I finalize my last Christmas gifts. as, i look forward to chatting with my family the next few days, i hope that you are spending the time with your loved ones. and while you are at it, remember the biggest fight is coming soon, january 3rd. many of us will be in iowa, many of us will be mounting to new hampshire for the january 8th showdown. the blogs can be brutal now, just remember to stay focus on obama and not the drama. i am in iowa on the 27th through the caucus. i will post a short version of ‘this week’ next sunday, and try to post updates. keep your head up and let’s win this thing.

contact me @ [email protected]

This Week With Barack Obama

Uncategorized

Edwards Evening News RoundUp: Why I’m with Edwards Edition

December 23, 2007 jamess

This edition of EENR will be a little different. I will be reporting the latest News on John Edwards of course, BUT with a focus on the WHY’s behind the Edwards headlines.

Why are people supporting John Edwards, anyways?

Don’t these people know that the National Polls and the Media already have scripted out how this Election is supposed to turn out?

Silly People, thinking they should actually be able to make up their own minds! Imagine that — the People actually picking their own Leader! (And NOT having one Picked for them!)

So stick around for a spirited look at why more and more people are saying:

“Why I’m with Edwards” …

(1) Here is an interesting Edwards Headline, from the Wall Street Journal:

WSJ

Iowa Farmers Union Embraces Edwards

Dec 21, 2007

John Edwards will get a welcome endorsement this evening from the Iowa Farmers Union, the state’s biggest advocacy group for family farmers and rural communities.

…

[Note: other Sources have Reported that it’s only the President of this Farmers Union, and NOT the Union itself that is Endorsing Edwards — WSJ needs to hire back its Fact-Checkers, it seems.]

And the WHY behind the Endorsement?

“All the Democrats have good things about them,” Peterson said in an interview, but “Edwards cleaned house in rural areas in 2003” because “he’s against corporate farms and for localized economies.”

Here’s a few more reasons from this “influential Iowa agriculture leader”, Chris Petersen:

Chris Petersen, who is currently the president of the Iowa Farmers Union, endorsed the former North Carolina senator at a Friday rally in Nevada.

…

Petersen said he picked Edwards because of his strong views on the enforcement of anti-trust laws and competition in the livestock industry.

A vocal critic of the agribusiness conglomerates that have rapidly changed the face of agriculture in the Midwest, Petersen said “it’s time we got some political courage and leadership” to solve those problems.

…

(2) Here is an interesting Edwards Headline:

Edwards Unveils Stimulus Plan To Strengthen Economy And Create New Jobs

Dec 22, 2007

On final day of the “Fighting for America’s Voice” tour, Edwards urges Congress to pass $25 billion job creation plan

Lisbon, Iowa – On the final day of his “Fighting for America’s Voice” tour, Senator John Edwards proposed an economic stimulus package to strengthen our economy and create new jobs. Edwards urged Congress to act immediately to pass at least a $25 billion jobs plan in early 2008 and be ready to pass $75 billion more if there is more evidence that we are entering a recession. Edwards believes that every American should have access to a good job and the chance to build a better life. …

the specifics

Yet again John Edwards is Leading with very specific comprehensive plans, to deal with REAL Problems faced by REAL Americans! One of those REAL Americans was there to speak up for Edwards’ Plan today:

About Doug Bishop:

Today, Edwards will be joined on the tour by Doug Bishop who, in September 2004, was among the first wave of employees to be laid off at the Maytag plant in Newton, Iowa. … Edwards is running for president to make sure the voices of hard-working Americans like Doug get heard in Washington.

And the WHY behind the Endorsement?

John Edwards – Introduction by Doug Bishop – Newton, Iowa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

—-

Doug Bishop:

“The American Dream is being taken away slowly, and surely, by some powerful people, who have No Respect for the American Workers in this country.

…

People like my grandfather, and hundreds before him, and hundreds after him, they didn’t strive to be rich. They didn’t strive to work their way through the Company and become the CEO … at Maytag he was chasing the American Dream, and he was allowed to finish that out. … As of yesterday, I had several relatives and neighbors who had that Dream taken away from them.

…

It’s happening all across this Country. We have tried, and tried, tried to get these unabated Trade Agreements — which are robbing Americans of their Livelihoods — stopped!

…

and most importantly, and this is something I’ll never forget, he grabbed my 7 year old son by the hand, he dropped to one knee, and he looked him straight in the eye, and he said: ‘I’m gonna keep fighting for your Daddy’s Job, I promise you that.’

Two years later, a man of his word — you know that stuff sticks with you —

… with no media, no press, no big event, it was just one man being a good person. Two years later he sets up a meeting at the Maytag Plant after they announced the closing. …

He wanted to sit down with the People who were effected, in that Plant, that day. ‘What are you going to do with your lives? What can I do to help? Where do we go from here?’

That’s the kind of things we need in a Leader in this Country!

… I want a guy who’s gonna sit down, and look a 7 year old kid in the eye, and tell him, ‘I’m gonna fight for your Dad’s Job’. That’s what I want!”

{applause} …

You know, fighting for the dignity of the American Worker, and their families, is at the very core of what it means to be an American. Or at least it used to be …

Franklin D. Roosevelt called for Four Freedoms …

They were the basis of FDR’s vision of Economic Fairness. Unfortunately, not all of these Freedom were fully incorporated in the New Deal legislation, that pulled the Country out of the Great Depression in the 1930’s

Here are those 4 Principles:

FDR’s Four Freedoms:

1. Freedom of speech and expression

2. Freedom of every person to worship in his own way

3. Freedom from want

4. Freedom from fear

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F…

—-

A network of bloggers are carrying on with FDR’s Vision today. And guess who they just Endorsed for their Candidate for President?

(3) Here is an interesting Edwards Headline:

Four Freedoms Announces Endorsement of John Edwards

12/21/2007

And the WHY behind the Endorsement?

WALTHAM, MA – December 20, 2007 – The influential non-partisan discussion board and blog ‘Four Freedoms’ (http://www.fourfreedomsblog.com/) announces its endorsement of John Edwards in the Democratic Primary.

Senator Edwards has been a longtime supporter of the downtrodden, from his early days as a litigator to his Senate track record. John Edwards dwells not on the past, but on the hope for the future, and is the only candidate that truly understands what is important to average Americans.

…

The founders of Four Freedoms urge all true Americans and Patriots to vote for Senator Edwards, and calls upon citizens to cross party lines if necessary in order to advance Senator Edward’s campaign and restore hope, decency, and civility to the American Political Process, something that has been lacking for quite some time. Senator Edwards may not have all the answers, but he is our best hope for true change and progress towards what all Americas believe in…that is, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Now that’s truly a New Deal Endorsement! That is quite the statement about exactly WHO is ready to Fight for US.

(4) Here is an interesting Edwards Headline:

Des Moines Register

Surgery gives man a chance to speak his mind

Dec 22, 2007

If you’ve been to a recent Edwards event in Iowa or watched television, odds are good you already know Lowe’s story. He was born dirt-poor in Kentucky with a cleft palate. He moved to a mill town in the Appalachian Mountains and worked in coal mines for decades before an injury broke his back and put him on disability.

Lowe never had surgery to fix that cleft palate because he could not afford health insurance.

And for the first 50 years of his life, Lowe could hardly speak. He was an incomprehensible mumbler until about a year ago when a doctor donated cleft-palate surgery and, literally, gave Lowe a voice.

…

Now, Lowe has become a metaphor for the stated goal of Edwards’ campaign: to give a voice to the voiceless.

“I had an emotional reaction listening to his story,” Edwards said Friday in an interview. “I had a sense of outrage that somebody had lived for 50 years in America not able to speak because they had no health care. How could my country let people like James down like that?”

And the WHY behind the Endorsement?

Edwards invited Lowe to the microphone, hugged him, and then Lowe spoke for about 45 seconds.

“He cares about people like me and you all,” Lowe said in his Southern accent that’s tinged with a speech impediment.

Then he pointed at Edwards and said, “This man is number one man for president.”

…

Best of all, Lowe said, he has the guts to stand up in front of hundreds of people – and he’s got the voice so he can say something.

That is how the flame of Outrage is lit:

[John Edwards meets James Lowe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

—-

And well, for some people, that flame never does go out, until Justice has been done … and until, what was wrong, is set right again.

(5) Here is a heart-wrenching Edwards Headline:

TPM

Edwards Mailer In Iowa Touts His Trial Lawyer Representation Of Injured Girl

By Greg Sargent – Dec 21, 2007

“John Edwards gave our Family hope … And then he walked into that courtroom and gave that irresponsible company hell.”

And the WHY behind the Endorsement?

Sandy Lakey Introduces John Edwards, West Des Moines, Iowa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

—-

Sandy Lakey:

“I know John because, he saved our daughters life …

[the unthinkable happens to their family]

… so we began talking to attorneys, which was a new experience for us. I was in such a haze of grief, shock, and exhaustion, that little of what anyone said penetrated my fog. The only words I wanted to hear were: ‘I can help Valerie’.

And then we met John Edwards. When he held my hands and looked in my eyes, I saw the compassion, honesty, and integrity that is John Edwards. When he said the magic words I wanted to hear, I knew in my heart, that THIS Man would Fight as hard for Valerie, as if she were his OWN Daughter.

Because of John, I began to feel Hope.

We quickly realized John Edwards wasn’t just Valerie’s attorney — He was her Champion.

John Edwards took on the irresponsible manufacturer of the defective product that had caused Valerie’s injury. And we learned she wasn’t the FIRST Child to be maimed, or even killed by this Companies absolute indifference!

Even worse the company knew their product was defective, but hid the truth. John exposed their negligence, and Won Justice for Valerie.

John Edwards gave us hope in our darkest hours. He ensured that Valerie’s Medical Expenses would be taken care of for the rest of her life. And he helped change the ways companies do business, to make swimming pools safer for children.

…

Recently she told me, that she occasionally feels happy. That’s not something I thought I’d ever hear her say because her life hasn’t been easy. She’s suffered through horrors, that NO ONE should have to deal with, especially a child. She lives with pain everyday, and probably will for the rest of her life. But she’s strong, and with the help of people like John Edwards, she HAS survived.

She is here with me today to show her support, and love, for John Edwards. We believe that John has the intelligence, the determination, will power, integrity, and above all, the heart, to be a great leader to all of us in the United States.

We are honored to know him, and feel privileged to be here today. He talks about the heroes that he has met in his life, and during his campaign travels. But to us, He is the Hero! Thank you John.”

{applause}

WOW! That’s what it means, to fight for the “little guy”. That’s the same way John Edwards will fight for US, if we have the “same determination”, to help send him to the White House. If we do, Edwards will give Voice again, to us — the forgotten American People!

(6) Here is an interesting Edwards Headline:

seacoastonline.com

Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne stump for Edwards

By Elizabeth Dinan

Dec 20, 2007

PORTSMOUTH – Wooing 700 voters at the Frank Jones Center on Wednesday, presidential candidate John Edwards pitched his plans for health care, warfare and education with a live rock ‘n’ roll sound track, a whiff of Hollywood and an endorsement from a local nuclear submarine welder.

Wrapping their endorsements for Edwards around a four-song set, Grammy-winning musicians Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne were introduced by actor Peter Coyote.

And the WHY’s behind the new ground swell of New Hampshire Excitement?

I Am A Patriot with backing by Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

—-

Here is what a few of those New Hampshire citizens have to say about WHY they are NOW supporting John Edwards:

Citizen one:

“Seeing John Edwards speak tonite, and you know just listening to him answer the questions — and feeling the Energy in the Audience, in the crowd, he definitely has my Vote”

Citizen two:

“I love how straightforward he is, but I think also, how brave he is.”

Citizen three:

“He’s talking, he’s talking … fighting … the big corporations — Nobody else is saying that.”

Citizen four:

“I do feel like there is a lot of momentum going on, and I think that, John is going to take it over the top. And I think that he’s gonna win this Election.”

Hey, for you other New Hampshire citizens who have finally found your Candidate in Edwards, you too, can get involved to “help win this thing.” Here’s how:

http://johnedwards.com/nh/volu…

—-

For more voices from New Hampshire, their stories start here:

http://johnedwards.com/nh/

—-

(7) Here is a different Edwards Headline (with the Media Reporting on the Blogs — now that’s a switch):

startribune.com

Minneapolis, MN

Blog House: Edwards remains a wild card as caucuses near

…

The most surprising development is that Edwards, who’s been consistently third in most Iowa polls, seems to have a little heat behind him.

…

And the WHY behind those blogs which are buzzing about Edwards?

Marc Ambinder:

“On Monday, the Edwards campaign recorded more e-mail sign-ups than almost any day in its history,” Marc Ambinder (1) reported. “Over the weekend, the campaign was forced to add four new servers to handle all the Web traffic. Contributions are up online: Thursday and Friday, the two days after the debate, made for one of the highest 2-day totals they’ve seen in months.”

David Mizner:

In this race, Edwards could prove to be the tortoise and Clinton and Obama a pair of hares, according to David Mizner at MyDD (2). “It wasn’t supposed to be this way, with Edwards still in the thick of the race. Clinton and Obama had planned to out-spend and out-celebrity him into oblivion. The best-laid plans.”

So that’s it for tonite’s Roundup. Thanks for taking a few moments to reflect on the type of Leader, you would like to see running this country. I hope these “behind the news” snapshots, help give you some insight into the character, passion, and determination, that an Edwards Presidency would bring to Washington DC.

Most of these people Speaking out above, have given you a window into some of their reasons to “Why I’m with Edwards?”

SO, “WHY am I, with Edwards?”

Simply stated, out of all the Candidates running, John Edwards speaks out the most passionately, and clearly, and bravely, on nearly all of the Issues, that matter to me and my family!

And on top of that, in nearly every case, Edwards was the first one to take a bold stand, with thoughtful and detailed plans to the many problems this Country faces. “Fixing America” and “Restoring the American Dream”, for ordinary hard-working Americans, is more than just talk with John Edwards — it’s the cause of his life!

Such a Fighter, for real Progressive Democratic Values, will get MY Vote, every time!

Please, Edwards supporters, take a few moments, to add a comment or two about, if you can, about “WHY you’re with Edwards, too?”

(I’m sure there are still some undecideds out there, lurking, who would probably like to know. Thanks.)

California

This Week With Barack Obama, December 9-15, 2007

December 17, 2007 icebergslim

cross-posted @ One Million Strong

barack in independence, ia

Iowa Caucus Center

Nevada Caucus Center

Obama embraces U.S. soldier Brian Jesness during a campaign rally stop in Mason City, Iowa

Obama and Oprah’s Last Visit, Manchester, NH

More than 8,500 people attended and they were not disappointed. To recap, over 18K in Des Moines, IA; over 10K in Cedar Rapids, IA; over 30K in Columbia, SC; and over 8K in Manchester, NH. Now if this is not successful, tell me why it was not. If Barack Obama gets the Democratic Nomination, without any doubt, the Oprah Winfrey effect will be one of the reasons. Read the live account blog with photos by jhutson.

Obama Apperances and Campaign Events

December 17, 2007 – Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, Spencer, IA

December 17, 2007 – Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, Storm Lake, IA

December 17, 2007 – Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, Cherokee, IA

December 17, 2007 – Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, LeMars, IA

December 17, 2007 – Rally with Barack, Sioux City, IA

South Carolina is Fired Up and Ready to Go!!! by Drewid

Three Weeks to Crunch Time

Hillary Following Barack’s Lead Running Ads in Nevada

The BBC on Oprah

Summing up Oprah and Obama

Running on Hope

Unlike front-runners Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama aren’t selling electability or inevitability — they’re selling hope. Will that be enough to get them the nominations?

Friends and foes alike comment on the discipline of the well-oiled machine that is the Clinton campaign. Even Giuliani, well-known for sounding off at critics, has been remarkably disciplined in both his style and message. These strategic attributes may make Beltway pundits and wonks swoon, but they aren’t qualities that have much appeal for voters. It’s like the difference between getting a vacuum cleaner for Christmas versus a nice piece of jewelry. Sure, you really don’t need the jewelry, but it’s much more fun to open on Christmas morning. National Journal

obama in seattle, wa

Audio/Video

Des Moines Register Iowa Debate (real player required); NPR, Obama and Oprah Make Splash in S.C.; What Oprah Endorsement Meant for Obama; Wish Lists for Santa, Politicians in Milford, N.H.; Democratic Debate in Iowa Good Natured; Democratic Hopefuls Make Last Pitch to Iowans; Countdown to Caucuses, Part One; Countdown to Caucuses, Part Two; Precinct Captains leaves Clinton, Switches to Obama

Obama Signs up for Louisiana Primary

“Change We Can Believe In”, Obama Op-Ed in The Daily Iowan

Samantha Powers Discusses Obama’s Foreign Policy

Obama Goes To Work In Iowa’s Small Towns

Polls

Yes, the polls are coming out fast and furious. Expect this through January.

Concord Monitor New Hampshire Poll; Rasmussen New Hampshire Poll; Iowa Independent Power Ranking; Quad City/Research 2000 Iowa Poll and Treadlines; Iowa Pollster.com; Georgia Poll; CNN/WMUR New Hampshire Poll; Hotline Iowa Poll; Strategic Vision Iowa Poll; SurveyUSA South Carolina Poll; Nevada Poll; Insider Advantage South Carolina Poll; CNN/Opinion Reasearch National Poll

Sorry Hillary, Obama is Electable

Obama Works Hard to Woo College Votes

Father’s Abandonment Molded Obama

Going through my reading I ran across this little tidbit “Hillary Can’t Beat Oprah”. I thought, why would she try? One can only speculate that the announcement of Oprah stumping with Barack and Michelle, and then Team Clinton polling the affects of a Barbra Streisand endorsement makes one wonder. Will this really have an effect? I think it will. Since we are in the stretch to start the primary cycle, Obama prior to Oprah stumping, was on the incline in polling. This is across the board. So, one cannot state he has no momentum coming up to the January 3rd caucus. And if there is any consolation prize, it is that Barbra Streisand had the pleasure to be polled by Team Clinton for her possible effectiveness as the blunt to Oprah Winfrey. Notice the silence.

des moines register democratic debate

Inside Obama’s Ground Game

At just 25 years old, Michael Blake may have more to do with Barack Obama’s chances of becoming President than anyone besides the candidate himself. That may sound like a stretch, but Blake has the all-important job of bringing in new Iowa voters to caucus for the Illinois Senator. And while some campaigns may focus most of their efforts on one or two constituencies – the way John Kerry so successfully courted military veterans in 2004 – Obama is spending an unprecedented amount of money and effort to turn out a wide cross section of new caucus-goers.

“This is the most extensive effort to reach out to new constituencies in the Iowa caucuses, I think, ever,” says Blake, who comes from the Bronx and was in the first class of “Yes, We Can!” a program Obama started soon after he was elected to the Senate to train minorities to more effectively use the political system. “Campaigns here have traditionally gotten attention for going after one or two groups. We’re applying that principle and hopefully will enjoy similar success with multiple groups.” Time

Kenyan Boy Dreams to be Obama

Professor Obama Will Restore the Constitution by Populista

Obama Friend Sells Candidate

obama at universal city in california

Endorsements/Announcements

Former Republican Congressman Perkins Bass to vote for Obama; Boston Globe Endorses Obama; Littleton Courier Endorses Obama; Three more Nevada Offices Opening for Obama Campaign; Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) Endorses Obama; Iowa State Representative Paul Shomshor Endorses Obama; Former SC Democratic Chairman, Joe Erwin Backs Obama; Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) Endorses Obama; Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) Endorses Obama; Obama wins Salinas Straw Poll; Baltimore Ministers Back Obama; UNH Mock Presidential Primary Goes to Obama

Will Smith ready to Campaign for Obama

Obama Leading Internet Traffic

Chicago Defender on Michelle Obama

Obama: Saudi Arabia fosters human rights violations

Barack Obama has opened the floodgates for Americans to view how the government is spending its money. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 by Tom Coburn and Barack Obama allows anyone to track contracts, grants, earmarks, and loans. This is monumental legislation passed by a Republican Congress and President. More importantly it shows Obama’s ability to broker relationships, across the aisle. This is drastically needed to get anything done in Washington, D.C. For all the information, check out barath’s well sourced diary.

Obama Rising Roundup: Iowa Edition December 6-13

Obama Now on GOP Radar

Obama Organizing Nearly 1,000 House Meetings

Barack Obama Straddles Different Worlds

obama attends church services at the first congregational united church of christ in mason city, ia

shoutouts: after the election, by keone michaels; obama: congress’ failure to pass hate crimes legislation, truly unacceptable; not for hillary, but loves bill; nyceve on consumer guide for health insurance; The Truth About Kyl-Lieberman (DL Won’t Take off His blinders!); toxic toy alert…by jhuston; black kos; anatomy of a smear: winfrey gets attacked with lies by bob johnson; bush’s mortgage plan: not good on several levels by bonddad; kos on hillary being “unacceptable as our nominee”

focus group after DMR Debate, obama wins

icebergslim’s last word: slime and staying out of the mud

Another one of those, “you got to be kidding me weeks?” Yes, we must remember desperate times call for desperate measures. Enter Team Clinton.

We all know we keep one eye on each other, while smiling, that is politics. We also know that whatever have been done in the past, we either can explain it or moved from it.

What can we expect from an inevitable machine as Team Clinton’s? Remember she brought us kindergate, staffing circulating the Muslim smear emails, oh and got caught again, planting questions throughout Iowa, astroturfing on Blue Hampshire (sigh), and now suggesting that Barack Obama may have sold drugs.

We all know Barack’s past with drugs as a teen, because he wrote about it in his 1995 book, Dreams from my Father. So to attempt to make this an issue in the primary is just ridiculous, when he has been vetted by running and winning the senate seat for the State of Illinois. Like Republicans did not know this?

But to insinuate, and the charge was made by Team Clinton’s now ex-New Hampshire Chairman, Billy Shaheen , that if Obama is the nominee, the GOP will question if he sold drugs, was way out of bounds. And of course, every time Team Clinton does this slime, they apologize, as if that makes it right.

Well, a lot of people were angered, mainly, the Black Community. This was talked up on Tom Joyner, an African-American disc jockey with a syndicated show nationwide, and all black radio, period. Many in the African-American community were taken aback. Why? Because whether you plan on voting for Barack Obama or not, the mere inference that he could have sold drugs, jolted the African-American Community. This is the same stereotypical framing that is expected from the GOP, not Democrats.

Well, Hillary Clinton kissed the ring. She personally apologized to Barack Obama, while waiting for him at the airport to board his plane to the Des Moines Register Debate. She did the right thing. This slime cannot go on, especially when you have no basis to it. And it does make your campaign and candidacy look weak and ill-equipped to handle the real issues, when you have all this crap running around you.

Billy Shaheen, Team Clinton’s former Co-Chair in New Hampshire has resigned. Good, we don’t need the likes of him sniffing around campaign doors. Will Mark Penn be next? He should be, after his awful performance on Hardball.

Anyway, The Obama Campaign has and will continue to run a positive and upbeat campaign. These tactics may be used to pull Barack into the muddy waters, but he refuses to play. There is much at stake for these upcoming primaries and caucuses and the last thing the public need is a bunch of distractions to keep them from voting on the issues.

See what poll numbers will do to one’s campaign?

Finally, I always close out with focus on obama and not the drama. You better believe that this message is resonating hard as we enter January 3rd.

Blogs and Websites

One Million Strong; This Week With Barack Obama; The Populista Report; Relentless Liberal; Washington State; Obama Dallas; NYC4OBAMA; NewYork4Obama; Texans for Obama; Republicans for Obama; Vermont for Obama; Independents for Obama; Seattle for Obama; Idaho for Obama; Asians for Obama; Bay Area for Obama; Sacramento for Obama; Families for Obama; Irish Americans for Obama; D.C. for Obama; Obama NH; Obama News Vine; Black Women for Obama; Obama Santa Cruz; Think on These Things; Iowa Republicans for Obama; Another Democratic Woman for Obama; RENObama!; Go Barack Obama; Netroots for Obama

mr. snowman is excited and ready for change. he recognizes that no one has excited this country and transcended across the aisle, as barack obama. can you imagine what caucus day will be like in iowa and nevada? what primary day will be like in new hampshire and south carolina? how february 5th and beyond, will be off the chain for change? it will be people marching and voting for change. for barack. as, i always remind everyone, it is heating up on the boards as it should, and colder than “you know what” in iowa, but remember to focus on obama, and not the drama.

contact me @ [email protected]

This Week With Barack Obama

California

The California Presidential Primary Has Been An Unmitigated Failure

December 13, 2007 David Dayen 38 Comments

We are 56 days from the California Presidential primary on February 5, and just a few weeks from opening early and absentee voting, and I think it’s reasonable to assess how the facts of the race thus far have met with the expectations, and even if it isn’t reasonable, I’m about to do it. The entire rationale for moving up the primary to February, from people as varied as the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, even our friends at the Courage Campaign, was that this would bring new attention to California in the Presidential race and would allow the state a say in the picking of a nominee.

How’s that goin’?

Monday was one of the first days in months and months where the two top contenders on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, were in California at the same time. They were both here for fundraisers, and both by accident – there was supposed to be a debate on CBS in Los Angeles that day, but a pending WGA action and the unwillingness for the candidates to cross the picket line forced cancellation. Obama’s fundraiser, granted, was a low-dollar event at the Gibson Ampitheatre in Universal City – a combination rock concert/political rally. In similar rallies in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, fans saw Oprah: in Hollywood, home of the stars, we got Nick Cannon and the Goo Goo Dolls. Indeed, the last public, no-money-needed appearance by any viable candidate in California fades into the back of the memory. There just haven’t been any.

Last night I sat in on a conference call with supporters of John Edwards and the national campaign. It was billed as a dialogue about how Edwards supporters in Southern California can best help their preferred candidate. The unequivocal message from the campaign was that these activists can best help them by “adopting Nevada,” home to one of the earlier caucuses, on January 19. They touted road trips to Las Vegas for phone banking and canvassing. This was extremely redolent of work I did with the Dean campaign in 2004 on their “Southwest Victory Tour” into Arizona and New Mexico. Four years later, absolutely nothing has changed.

This is not a slam on the top three campaigns. They are ignoring California, so to speak, because they are making the calculation that victories in the early states will lead to a momentum build that will be impossible to stop. And this is precisely the dynamic of the race. It’s clear to anyone that is paying attention that Iowa, and to a lesser extent New Hampshire, have been made MORE decisive as a result of the truncated primary. There are dozens of examples I can cite. Edwards supporter and California Assemblyman Anthony Portantino was on the conference call. He wasn’t whipping up support in his district, he was calling in from Iowa. Fabian Nuñez recently took a trip out to Iowa. A few weeks ago we had the executive board meeting of the CDP – the largest gathering of activists you’re going to see until the primary. That inviting target attracted – well, it attracted Dennis Kucinich. There have been no TV ads run in California and exactly one mailer, by Clinton, in a small enough quantity to get the attention of the political press and nobody else. The public polling on the California race, at least on the Democratic side, has mirrored the national polling to a T, because all we’re getting out here is the national race. The national primary is fictional, and so is the California primary, for all intents and purposes.

People in this state that supported this move, and it was broadly popular, were simply sold a bill of goods. It was blindingly obvious that the only way to change the primary system and allow it to have a diversity of voices was to actually change it, by removing the dominance of Iowa and New Hampshire. I am hopeful that, as a result of this ridiculous front-loading, that will happen in 2012. But clearly, California’s move, which was the first of the non-early states and essentially broke the dike, causing 20 or so other states to move up in order to keep pace, EXACERBATED the problem.

And in so doing, the move enabled not only the ballot initiatives that we see on February 5, but the potential for all sorts of Republican mischief in the low-turnout June primary. Frankly, to suggest that a group of lawmakers who wished to change term limits just happened to pick a day before the deadline for filing in the June primary to hold an election which could have that on the ballot is beyond naive. In so doing, the June election became initiative bait, susceptible to all sorts of right-wing ballot measures. We may have dodged a bullet with the Dirty Tricks thing, but there will be others, as you all know (starting with the Hidden Agenda initiative about eminent domain “reform”).

In point of fact, the only time that California has ever been a factor in the Presidential primaries is… when they held them in June, in the 1968 and 1972 races (the tragic death of RFK changed what would have been a decisive election in ’68, obviously). I’m certainly not saying that history would have repeated itself in 2008 if California only retained its position, but I am saying that absolutely nothing good could have come from moving up, and still potentially something pretty bad could happen as a consequence.

California

This Week With Barack Obama, December 3-8, 2007

December 10, 2007 icebergslim

cross-posted @ One Million Strong & Daily Kos

michelle, barack and oprah, des moines, ia

Debates/Forums

December 13, 2007 – Johnston, Iowa, Des Moines Register Democratic Debate

December 17, 2007 – Boston, MA

January 15, 2008 – Las Vegas, Nevada

barack in new hampshire

Obama Apperances and Campaign Events

December 10, 2007 – Study Break with Barack Obama, Las Vegas, NV

December 10, 2007 – Barack in L.A., Los Angeles, CA

December 11, 2007 – Generation Obama in Seattle, Seattle, WA

December 13, 2007 – Caucus for Change Precinct Parties, Iowa

The Caucus Center

Obama Action Center

Jesse, Jr. to Jesse, Sr. You’re Wrong on Obama

Obama Gains Show Volatility of Iowa Contest

Obama Campaign Launches Web Site, Documenting Clinton Attacks

npr debate, des moines, ia

Audio/Video

NPR Audio Debate; Iowa City; NPR, Obama Talks Taxes, Trade at NH High School; Oprah in Des Moines, part one; Oprah in Des Moines, part two; A Call To Serve; South Carolina Rally, Video in its Entirety

Wall Street Journal, Op-Ed Piece, by Senator Barack Obama, Homeland Insecurity

Obama Ad Launch on Television in Nevada

Vote Obama

Hillary Losing Backers to Barack?

The presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton, the Democrat frontrunner, is facing a wave of defections by supporters to Barack Obama, as an aura of “inevitability” about her nomination fades.

With Oprah Winfrey, the talk show host and Obama enthusiast, challenging former president Bill Clinton for star power on the campaign trail, the coronation of Hillary has been put on hold.

A few days ago, Helen Quarles peeled off the Hillary for President bumper stickers from her car and replaced them with Obama ’08.

“I didn’t think anybody could turn me away from Hillary,” said Quarles, who worked as a volunteer for Clinton’s first Senate election campaign in New York. “I liked her and was very fond of Bill.”

Quarles now lives in South Carolina, which holds its primary election next month. “In the South, a lot of people don’t like Hillary, so I felt it was up to me to turn things around for her. I really wanted her to win, but there’s something about Obama,” she said. “To me, he is the one who is going to make a difference.” TimesOnline

Let the Fun Begin!!

Yes, this is what the Hillary Clinton Campaign, who I call affectionately, Team Clinton had to say about going after Barack Obama.

Well, we waited. And we finally got the magnificent press release from Team Clinton, last Sunday. Among the explosive oppo research was the reference to Obama’s aspirations to become president, as early as kindergarten. Yes, kindergarten. Oh, and then it expounded on his refined penmanship in kindergarten and third grade with examples of his essays on “I want to be President” topic.

Well, the media love fest was frenzy this week. I mean who knew??? Who knew??? Obama wanted to be president in kindergarten!!! Hell, I wanted to be Diana Ross, one day, then I wanted to be Cleopatra Jones (yes, throwback, y’all), meaning I wanted to be so many people, my parents would just say, “that’s wonderful, sugar.” Oh, and then Team Clinton strategist, Mark Penn, tries to clean this up on Morning Joe, and said it was a joke. Do they think people are stupid?

Sigh, then Team Clinton gets caught up with a tempest in a tea pot. Their own staff was found out emailing the muslim smear against Barack Obama. Yes, good old Team Clinton who said, “Let the Fun Begin!!”, now looks sophomoric, at best, in handling all this through the week.

Isn’t Hillary Clinton the one who is vetted, tough, tested? Yet, doing this stuff? And is this the best they have on Barack Obama? We must be honest here, the Iowa Caucus is three weeks away and if you want to bring someone down, now is the time, not later. But kindergarten papers? Getting caught sending muslim smears? Is this the tightly run campaign that everyone has bragged about all year?

They look very amateurish, to me.

university of northern iowa, cedar falls, ia

Polls

Well with Iowa Caucus 24 days away, around that, the polls are fast and furious. All these polls show erosion of Clinton, steady for Edwards and emerging for Obama. So, it is safe to state that Obama is catching Hillary.

MSNBC/McCLATCHY/Mason-Dixon; Newsweek Poll; Insider Advantage South Carolina Poll; Rasmussen South Carolina Poll; ABC/Washington Post New Hampshire Poll; Strategic Vision Iowa Poll; Zogby Phone Poll; USA/Gallup Poll; Iowa State Poll, this polling data is considered old, by 3 weeks, but was released as new; Public Policy North Carolina Poll

michelle and oprah, des moines, ia

The Obama Newness

Clinton Should No Longer Worry About Just Iowa

Obama: Expand National Service Programs

Democrat Barack Obama on Wednesday advocated a major expansion of the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and other national service programs, declaring, “This will be a cause of my presidency.”

The Illinois senator said the government is not keeping pace with those who want to help. “We will create new opportunities for all of us to serve,” he said at a rally at Cornell College.

Obama evoked the memory of President Kennedy and his Peace Corps volunteers, saying, “JFK made their service a bridge to the developing world.” Despite growing anti-Americanism around the world, he said, “the American people are not the problem, they are the answer.”

Obama, a senator from Illinois, said he also would expand the all-volunteer military but would “never send them to fight in a misguided war.”

“The burden of service has fallen more and more on the brave men and women of our military,” he said, citing “tour upon tour of duty in a war with no end.” For returning troops, he said, “We will enlist veterans to help other veterans to find jobs, and to pitch in at VA hospitals and nursing homes.” more

Endorsements/Announcements

4 Rural Democratic County Chairs Endorse Obama; Obama Wins Kansas Straw Poll; Hampton Democratic Chair Endorses Obama; Iowa State Daily Endorses Obama; Illinois Education Association Endorses Obama; Obama Relentlessly Pursues Iowan; Clinton Co-Chair Switches to Obama; Obama Wins Townson Straw Poll; Stanford Professor Named Adviser to Obama

Michelle Obama Meets Women from Seacoast

Robert Reich on Hillary’s desperate tactics by nevadadem

D.C. Events by howardpark

michelle, oprah, barack in columbia, sc

Obama on a Roll

A Princeton professor and outspoken expert on African-American culture said he believes U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy for president is an important breakthrough for blacks — whether Obama wins the Democratic nomination for president or not.

But Cornel West believes Obama is going to win.

Speaking Monday night to thousands in the Joe L. Reed Acadome on the campus of Alabama State University, West said he believes the Illinois Democrat, after running behind U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York for most of the presidential race, has turned the corner.

“This man’s on the move, he’s out there running hard and sounding good,” West said. Recent polls show Obama and Clinton in a statistical dead heat. MontgomeryAdvertiser

Obama Writes Essay for SC Legal Journal

Getting the Vote Out When Campuses Are Empty

Obama’s Musical Draw

Inside the Obama Campaign

new iowa ad, “our moment”

Obama on Iran by Shaun Appleby

Obama: Publicize Names of Bad Nursing Homes

Obama say Democrats Need Decisive Win to Make Wide Changes

Obama Seeks Consumer Credit Guards

Obama Gets Grammy Nod

While Barack Obama is battling Hillary Clinton in the Democratic race, he can enjoy a small victory from those who vote with ears more than hearts and minds: He is one of five contenders for the Grammy Award for Spoken Word, one of 110 categories this year.

If only nominations on the campaign trail were decided so easily and early in December, just as primary season continues and eyes remain fixed for the 11 months until Election Day.

Like many of Senator Obama’s targets on the trail, the musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals who will decide this race are single-issue voters looking to improve “the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers,” according to the news release. more, NYT

It Takes a Movement

Experts Praise Obama’s National Service Plan

Obama: PAC Contributions Violated No Campaign Rules

African-American Leaders Rally Behind Barack

Obama Rising Roundup: Iowa Edition Nov 28-Dec 5

Blogs and Websites

One Million Strong; This Week With Barack Obama; The Populista Report; Relentless Liberal; Washington State; Obama Dallas; NYC4OBAMA; NewYork4Obama; Texans for Obama; Republicans for Obama; Vermont for Obama; Independents for Obama; Seattle for Obama; Idaho for Obama; Asians for Obama; Bay Area for Obama; Sacramento for Obama; Families for Obama; Irish Americans for Obama; D.C. for Obama; Obama NH; Obama News Vine; Black Women for Obama; Obama Santa Cruz; Think on These Things; Iowa Republicans for Obama; Another Democratic Woman for Obama; RENObama!; Go Barack Obama

Vulnerable Democrats See Fates Tied to Clinton

Obama’s Ancestral Village Cheers on its Favourite Son

Obama Fits the Bill for President

As is the custom in New Hampshire this time of year, I recently asked a woman in a coffee shop who she was supporting for president. Her answer: “The last candidate I heard speak.” The point is we have a remarkable group of candidates, so it’s no surprise most voters remain undecided.

As the date gets closer, and more and more people ask who I’m with. After many months consideration, I’ve finally made my choice.

Kucinich deserves to do well in New Hampshire. His bold and uncompromising vision needs to be heard.

Bill Richardson would make a great chief executive, with his unmatched experience. But inspiring personal presentation (also called charisma) is a job requirement which is not his strength.

Chris Dodd is consistent on every issue, and is a terrific speaker. I wish his numbers were at least as high as Kucinich. Same goes for Joe Biden – great on the issues, a captivating speaker too. Just not connecting enough.

That leaves the “top three.” Before the Republicans have laid a glove on her, Clinton starts out with 50 percent of Americans saying they would never vote for her. She’s relied on an engineered aura of inevitability. She buys into the all-things-to-all-people style, the course laid out for Kerry by his political director Jeanne Shaheen. Straddling everything doesn’t win.

Some people say it’s time for a woman. Martin Luther King hoped we would judge people by the content of their character, not by their color, or by extension, their gender.

A new direction? What about support for the war in Iraq, her prideful refusal to accept that she made a mistake, her unconscionable vote declaring part of Iran’s government to be a terrorist organization (giving Bush the carte blanche to attack)? Her commitment to keeping combat troops in Iraq and her refusal to say she’d get them all out by 2013? Her blatant pandering to the right on flag-burning, and on late term abortions?

And then there’s planting softball questions for herself to answer.

Experience? Aside from spouse of the president, I can’t seem to remember her cabinet post. more

Obama: Keep Americans Warm+Action by Populista

Obama Rising–New York Edition by casperr

Michelle Obama Emphasizes Family Life

lining up in manchester, nh for obama and oprah

icebergslim’s last word: oprah. dirty campaign tactics. change.

This was another weird week for Barack. It was.

First it was Team Clinton’s hilariously, funny press release last Sunday. The cincher was that Barack has had aspirations, ambitions to become president in kindergarten and third grade. And the witness to his third grade papers, promptly waved for everyone to see. Oy!!! Nothing is nicer than to be in a tight race in the early states and folks laughing at the front runner’s pettiness.

Then Barack had to deal with the on-going muslim email circulation. Obama is not a muslim, he is a Christian and now his name is being used against him. Well, guess what popped off? Team Clinton’s staff caught sending and spreading this rumor. Of course, the culprits were dismissed but the damage is done. One cannot do anything but view Team Clinton as desperate and will do anything to win, even if it means spreading a lie. Oh, yes, Team Clinton denounced it, but the damage is done. It really is.

Then we have Oprah Winfrey.

I am one who has repeatedly said endorsements mean nothing. It does not. The candidate must seal the deal him/herself, no endorsement can do that. But as this week has progressed, so did the energy of the Obama/Oprah weekend. Suddenly, everyone was talking about it and when Columbia, South Carolina had to move the venue to an 80K stadium, well what else could one say.

I was more interested in what Oprah had to say than Barack. What was she going to say? Would it be quoted? Will people listen? Well, she gave a home run speech and no one can denounce or argue that point. This phrase has stayed with me:

“When you listen to Barack Obama, when you really hear him, you witness a very rare thing,” she said in Des Moines. “You witness a politician who has an ear for eloquence and a tongue dipped in the unvarnished truth.”

Yes, a politician who is so eloquent but will not mince words. He will tell it to you with a tongue dipped in the unvarnished truth. That statement said it all for me. It is about time we got a statesman in the White House. It is about time we got someone who is honest and unafraid of the truth in the White House. This has been missing so long, we forgot how it sounds. Since the 90’s to now, we have had to deal with untruth in the White House. Yes, we have had to deal with it. And we are tired. Just sick and tired of it.

Change. This battle is about change. It is. It is not about electability because the three top runners are electable. No, this argument is change and what kind we want. After seeing over 18K in Des Moines, over 10K in Cedar Rapids, over 30K in Columbia, SC, what do you think?

People do not go to political rallies for anything. They go searching and seeking an answer to the question. And as Oprah Winfrey said, “I am here to tell you, Iowa, he is the one. He is the one!”

Yes. He is.

well, as we see the 30K crowd out to hear barack, oprah and michelle, in columbia, sc, things are moving and evolving at break neck speed. we are in ties or slightly ahead in many of the early state polls, which shows we have the momentum. people are showing that they want change and barack obama is that change. as we move into the holiday season, remember the nastiness and sheer jealousy will continue to increase. rise above it. keep your eyes on the prize. focus on obama and not the drama.

contact me @ [email protected]

This Week With Barack Obama

calitics

Tag Archives: New Hampshire

This Week With Barack Obama, January 6-12, 2008

Hillary – Not Clinton – Prevailed Last Night

Bill Clinton Goes Nuts

They’re the Problem, they’re NOT the Solution!

Inevitable Is as Inevitable Does

This Week With Barack Obama, December 16-22, 2007

Edwards Evening News RoundUp: Why I’m with Edwards Edition

This Week With Barack Obama, December 9-15, 2007

The California Presidential Primary Has Been An Unmitigated Failure

This Week With Barack Obama, December 3-8, 2007

Your Progressive California Blog