The past few weeks have born witness to much turmoil in the race for the White House. After Senator Barack claimed the presidential nomination through his adroit unveiling of superdelegates in his corner, many on Capital Hill and elsewhere were jubilant. In their eyes, a new era of politics had begun, ushered in by the success of Barack Obama's historical candidacy. The span of a month, however, was enough to shatter these feeble illusions of a post-triangulating campaign. During his campaign against Senator Clinton in the primaries, Senator Obama used the Iraq war vote as a major wedge issue, portraying Senator CLinton as a politician of the past, a veritable master of triangulation. (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/ 2007/05/obama_slams_cli.html) The truth of the matter is, Senator CLinton's vote to give President Bush the authority to engage Iraq would not have made a difference either way. A large majority of the senate, including many Democrats, voted to give authority to President Bush. Senator Clinton voted for the war due in part as a desire to be politically expedient. At time, as many of you may recall, there was no great anti-war movement back then (quite the contrary, in fact). It is interesting to note, however, that Senator Clinton's vote for the Iraq war may have in fact somewhat negated the national security argument in a potential GE with John McCain.
     Despite this, Senator Obama did the politically correct thing by voting for FISA. His vote for the capitulation was merely a means by which to negate the argument that he is somehow weak on national security. While I do not agree with the Democratic Congress' capitulation to President Bush, I do think that Obama's yea vote was necessary. However, what is unacceptable  is for the candidate who claims to be the one who transcends politics as usual to bash a fellow Democrat for political expediency in the primary and then turn on his supporters once he needs them no more. This is simply double speak and circumlocution by a gifted politician, no more, no less. To claim otherwise is to deny reality. Now I am no republican troll, having been an active supporter of Hillary clinton in the primaries. To vote for John McCain would be voting for four years of "Czechoslovakia" references and incompetence. However, Barack Obama must eventually learn to run as what he is first and foremost: just another politician.

She pretty much won me over towards the last half of her primary season. I won't pretend here that I don't absolutely respect Senator Clinton. Yeah she rocks my world! And If I have an iota of respect for her I will honor her legacy on behalf of women and vote for Obama.  I don't come easy into it. I happen to like Obama but FISA and the hitch in the Pro choice stance makes my skin crawl. But watching McCain makes my skin burn!

Clinton said,"this is the man -- this is the one -- we should be voting for. ... Do it for your children. Do it for your jobs. Do it for the education of future generations."

Anyways here is the classy lady who walks her talk.

"I've been trying to exercise a little bit, which I'm told does wonders for a person."

With that line, Sen. Hillary Clinton drew the first of several laughs from the largely female crowd in attendance at her joint appearance with a comparatively less energetic Barack Obama Thursday morning at the Hilton Towers in New York City. Hosted by Women for Obama and the DNC's Women's Leadership Forum, the event was another pit stop on the "unity" tour that kicked off in New Hampshire two weeks ago.

And, at least as a speaker, Sen. Hillary Clinton proved that she is currently in tip-top shape. After noting that Obama told her she looked "rested" at an event last night, the New York Democrat admitted to reaping the benefits of a non-campaign schedule, but also showed she is still willing to bring some partisan fire and enthusiasm whenever she is invited to join him on the trail this fall.

On issues ranging from education to abortion rights to global warming, Clinton pointed to Obama as the superior candidate for women. On climate change, Clinton took a moment to mock President Bush by accusing him of just discovering the issue months before leaving office. "Gosh, this is a problem, and I sure hope the next president does something about it," Clinton said while impersonating the president -- adding, in her own voice, "well so do I!"

But beyond the yucks and the fired-up phrasing, the former presidential candidate did also take a moment to talk about the still-raw wounds dating from the primary season.

"Now I've had countless conversations since the end of my campaign," she began. "And I know how difficult it is for people who have invested their time, energy and emotion -- just their entire being -- into any campaign or cause. ... When it is over, I know how difficult that is ... how challenging it is to turn on a dime. It is a process. It does take time for people to take a deep breath, to go forward. ... But anyone who voted for me has so much in common with those who voted for Barack. ... It is critical that we join forces. The Democratic Party is a family -- sometimes a dysfunctional family -- but it is a family. We care about what is going to happen to health care [and education], and in Afghanistan in Iraq. ... That work cannot be done if we do not have a Democratic president in the White House!"

As she wrapped up her remarks and began to introduce Obama, Clinton said, "this is the man -- this is the one -- we should be voting for. ... Do it for your children. Do it for your jobs. Do it for the education of future generations."

One by one, many of Obama's prospective VPs have opted out. I am still hoping for John Edwards, but I'm thinking it might be Hillary. Here is why:

Democrat Barack Obama and his former rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton, are heading to New York with his vice presidential searcher Caroline Kennedy.

Clinton, mentioned as a possible running mate, and Obama were to appear together Wednesday night at a fundraiser.

Earlier Wednesday, Clinton deflected a reporter's inquiry about whether she has turned over documents for her former rival's campaign to review as part of the vice presidential search.

Obama made an unannounced stop at a downtown building that houses the law firm of another member of his vice presidential search team, Eric Holder, but he wouldn't say why afterward.

It's more than just that, though. Hillary has made herself far more feasible as a running mate as of late.

So she voted against cloture and Obama didn't; I'm absolutely stunned.  This move was some type of power play by her; it'll be interesting to see the reaction from the entire roots blogosphere in the next 48 hours.  Makes for an interesting plane ride between the two to NYC, heh?

[editor's note, by Blazers Edge]: Hillary initially voted Aye on the cloture vote but then switched to Nay according to Greenwald (did she have an Obama moment?). There is a backstory; hopefully, the NY Times can look into what happened here with Hillary's switch.

There is no conceivable outcome in which Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee for President.  The convention in Denver will formally confirm that Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee for President.  Any other outcome would be disruptive (disastrous) to the Democratic Party.  

As we witness the disruption to party unity since the recently concluded primary, imagine what would occur to the party if Barack were not to receive the official designation of nominee.  There would be significant numbers of Democrats who would protest this outcome.  But, you say, there currently is significant numbers of Democrats who are protesting the outcome.  What's the difference?

more...

I'm not going to start off with a disclaimer about who I'm going to vote for or who I supported in the primary. Draw your own conclusions.

I'm also going to keep it short, because I want to get out of the house and enjoy this national holiday when we celebrate the beginning of the process that found the first democracy since the ancient Greeks.

During the primaries, I watched as people on both sides bashed the other side and the opposing candidates. There were some really egregious comments coming from all sides. The rage was fueled by trolls from the GOP side. Apparently, some people want to keep the anger at a fever pitch and are doing everything they can to disrupt the Democratic party.

A friendly reminder, one that came to me as I was lurking on other sites.  Hillary Clinton still has debt from the primary campaign that needs to be paid down.  Your assitance, in the form of a contribution, enables Hillary to spend time doing what you want her to do; campaign for Barack Obama for President.  If you're a Hillary supporter, if you're a Barack supporter, the end result is the same.

Here's the link:

https://contribute.hillarycampaign2008.com/ rm.html?sc=1

Contribution Details
Date: July 04, 2008 11:23 AM EDT
Contact: Dennis XXXXXXXX
1455 N. XXXXXXXXXXX #2304
Chicago, IL 60610
312XXXXXXX
Amount: $20.08

For the past couple of weeks I've been trying to understand my feelings about HRC's campaign debt. On one hand, having Obama's supporters help her out will help build some goodwill within donor networks and will be a real step toward bringing the two camps together. On another hand, having to raise an extra 10 million from Obama supporters that will not go toward the national campaign at a time when republicans have been amassing a bigger war chest than the democrats seems like too much of a distraction.
Hillary has already graciously written off the 12 million she lent her campaign as an investment in her own brand. I'm trying to figure out what would be so bad about her "loaning" her campaign another 10 million to pay off her vendors and free up all donors to focus on Obama. I think this gesture would add some follow-through to her statements that she will do whatever she can to help Obama get elected, and it would demonstrate leadership and personal responsibility at a time when so many in our society are paying for things with money they don't have.

Although I don't understand exactly why, I have a feeling I will offend some with this suggestion. Am I crazy for thinking this way?