My final post here:
The essence of the majority of threads here are amazingly consistent and sad:
Blogger: "Obama is (fill in the blank)"
Response: "No his is not, You are a troll"
Blogger: "No I'm not, you are"
Response:"Not only are you a troll, but you sound like a Republican"
Blogger: "Funny, you sound like a Republican and a troll"
Another once insightful website infested with black/white, either or, I know you are but what am I, grade school intellect and behavior.
These are not my words , but those of one Larry Hunter, who's creds as a conservative Republican are lengthy, to say the least. Yesterday he wrote a piece for the Daily News outlining his reasons for why he is voting for Obama.
It's an interesting article some of which, especially on Obama's policies and positions I think he is reading wrong, but so be it. The money quote comes in the first three paragraphs.
obama on capitol hill
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obama in fairfax county, virginia
pollsRasmussen's Mood of America Poll; Obama Ties McCain Among Less-Educated Voters; PPP Missouri Poll; Rasmussen New Jersey Poll; Rasmussen Illinois and North Dakota Poll; Pew Poll National; Zogby Arizona Poll; Rasmussen Wisconsin Poll; Newsweek National Poll; Rasmussen Washington State Poll; Post Dispatch/R2000 Missouri Poll
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Jesse Jackson, Time to Let Go? Yes.
Well, when the good reverend let his "loose lips, sink his ship", my phone started to ring off the hook.
See, here in Chicago we are used to Jackson's rhetoric. Whether you agree or not, you are used to it but this time it was different.
After watching and listening to Jackson's statements on the O'Reilley Factor, my conclusion was that this would not hurt Obama, but it would diminish Jackson in many eyes, especially in the African-American community.
Jackson's statements sent (eyerolls) all over the place. His statement that Barack is talking down to Black people is not only ridiculous but straight up crazy. And wanting to take Obama's manhood from him? What was THAT about? Barack Obama has been consistant in speaking about personal responsibility and men in the Black Community being committed fathers is nothing new here, in fact many agree with his position. So, there is a sure disconnect in what Jackson is angered about and what the public's agreement with Obama's is on this issue.
Sure, Jackson apologized and his son, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. gave him a tongue lashing, via press release, but it still does not answer why he even said this stuff.
My take, Jackson, Sr. is from a different era. Many try to lump black folk in one bin, but we are not a monolithic group, as you heard from Jackson's lips himself. Though Jackson has done much for the civil rights, voters rights, women's rights in this country and is still doing so, his luster on his star has dimmed much.
Living in Chicago, many of us know that Jackson does not do anything without it benefiting Jesse Jackson, Sr. or family. Whether is it protesting Anhauser-Busch for all the liquor stores in African-American neighborhoods and then putting those picket signs away when the Beer Company gives your family a distribution deal. Or being vocal about parenting and father's being father's, but you had hidden your own indiscretion and fathered a baby on your wife.
So, to lump Barack Obama or even me, in the Jesse Jackson mode is well, ridiculous. Those examples above have moved many PAST Jesse Jackson. Again, we respect the good reverend and understand it is hard to move past the national stage when you have always been a player or had a hand in it, but your time is UP.
Thank you for paving a way and giving many generations hope, but it really time for you to take a seat and let the new generation, march on. Thank you.
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McCain Battles a Nemesis, the Teleprompter
Senator John McCain was performing relatively smoothly as he unveiled his energy plan.He managed to limit the mechanical hand chops and weirdly timed smiles that can often punctuate his speeches. He delivered his lines with an ease that suggested a momentary peace with his longtime nemesis, the teleprompter. (He relied on a belt-and-suspenders approach, with text scrolling down screens to his left and right, and on a big TV set in front of him.)
But when Mr. McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, came to the intended sound bite of his speech -- the part about reducing America's dependence on foreign oil -- he hit a slick.
"I have set before the American people an energy plan, the Lex-eegton Project," Mr. McCain said, drawing a quick breath and correcting himself. "The Lex-ing-ton Proj-ect," he said slowly. "The Lexington Project," he repeated. "Remember that name."
In a town meeting in Cincinnati the next day, Mr. McCain would again slip up on the name of the Massachusetts town, where, he noted, "Americans asserted their independence once before." He called it "the Lexiggdon Project" and twice tried to fix his error before flipping the name ("Project Lexington") in subsequent references. NYT continue
shoutoutsFellow Kossack Advice needed: my Obama grassroots problem by krwlngwthyou; Michelle Obama in Kansas City - photos by paradocs; If you read Frank Rich, you should demand impeachment hearings by teacherken; The "audacity" of fake friends. by The Field Negro; Beware of Clinton Opportunists! by B-Serious; LA Times: McCain's adultery may be a problem by Drdemocrat; Bush Pressures Berlin Over Obama Visit by psericks; 50 Flip Flops Of John McCain by davefromqueens; Barack Obama Slams McCain On Gramm! by slinkerwink; I just had breakfast with Barack and Hillary by casperr; McCain Aide Says U.S. is "Nation of Whiners" in a "Mental Recession" (w/VIDEO of Obama's response) by dansac; Campaign-ending McCain Quote: Social Security is a Disgrace by Upper West; What's $2300 Buy These Days? Not Much Unity. by wizinit
we got the mo
audio/videoObama speech in St. Louis, MO; Good Morning America - Michelle Obama; "New Energy" Ad; Obama speech at LULAC; McCain speech at LULAC; The Obama Family Interview; DNC Web Ad, "When"; 'Bush Hispanics' Say Goodbye To GOP; AFL-CIO Ad; Representin' Obama; Obama Appeals To Latino Voters; McCain, Obama Lay Out Economic Plans; Obama on Economy in Powder Springs, GA; What The Arab World Is Saying About Obama; How Do We Define A Political Flip-Flop?; Tough Moments On The Campaign Trail
obama in san diego, ca at the la raza conference
icebergslim's last word: birth control, viagra, and gaffes
This campaign season is mired under a microscope. Any little thing said on either side is diced, sliced, and put on a platter for the public to consume.
I state this because I see both campaigns running to the "safety net", really not being bold or challenging but just safe.
I guess that is fine. Both, Obama and McCain want to be elected, but it makes one wonder where is the fire, when we see a bunch of smoke.
This past week offered some funny "you know whats" on various levels. First, as I already commented on the Jesse Jackson remarks, which at the end of the day was some crazy crap. Now we move to McCain and his viagra moment.
There is something to say about surrogates. They have become the love/hate messenger of this campaign season. They either stay on topic or just snap and let it all hang out. We have witnessed it over and over again. And we have seen the denouncement like a broken record, with the usual surrogate getting kicked out of the limo as the candidate drives off.
Well, that is what happened to McCain on various levels this week. First, Carly Fiorina (and I will disclose I don't like her. never did like her. and knowing her history at hp, many will agree) and her stance or her stating McCain's stance on birth control.
This is a touchy subject on many levels. Why? It has displayed McCain voting against insurance companies covering birth control, while many companies cover, (cough, cough) viagra.
Now, this is truly a HELL TO THE NAW moment for women. And Fiorina supplies ample juice by stating: "There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth control medication. Those women would like a choice."
Correct Fiorina, it is a woman's choice. Again, why any woman would vote for John McCain need to look this man's record up, which is horrific on women's issues.
Then we have the snide, snub, rollin' in the dough former senator from Texas, Phil Gramm. Whose notorious statement referring to the citizens of the United States of America as "whiners" have moved the McCain Campaign to slam the brakes and kick Gramm to the curb, as the candidate and limo proceed off to the continuous campaign clouds.
Gramm's statement which can be viewed here, truly the most outrageous gaffe I have heard in a very long time. Sure, McCain did not make the statements, but this is a man who is his trusted advisor for over 20 years. Which makes my assessment of "birds of a feather, flock together" very true about John McCain. Remember, McCain has been running around here, also, telling us that the recession and parts of it is psychological.
To insult the American Public that all this recession is a figment of our imaginations or psychological is truly over the top.
I wish Gramm, McCain and crew can go to South Bend, Indiana, Gary, Indiana, parts of Pennsylvania, parts of the West and Southside of Chicago, Los Angeles, etc. There are areas in this country hit hard and where communities are not only devastated but have been destroyed. Where folks are biting on their fingernails in Michigan for the job they have or wonder if they will keep.
No, this is the most elitist statement ever mentioned in this campaign.
Obama Campaign, this should be shoved down Americans throats until the words BUSH=MCCAIN=ENOUGH is recited off of every American's lips.
And some people have the audacity to want to vote for John McCain? What are you smoking? Because whatever it is, you need to stop now and wake the hell up.
Slide Show, Drum Roll, Please....
well, i am not going to lie. i am prejudice, because i am a woman and i don't like how the press is trying to slime michelle obama. yes, some of it is racist, but much of it is sextist. this is a woman who did not have a silver spoon in her mouth, a woman who made her accomplishments through hard work. isn't this supposed to be respected as the american way? she is a woman, a mother, a wife, a friend, a daughter, a sister and the democratic nominee's wife. all democratic women should be outraged and if you have not gotten your rage up yet, view this, then get pissed. i am.
oh, look below. our hope dog. well, i guess i can call him something else, but he is a dog, standing on hope!! hope is nothing to belittle. you will be surprised and amazed how hope has gotten many of us to the point of where we are in this life. remember that. as always, remember to focus on obama and not the drama...
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and tip the obama jar, here
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icebergslim1047 (at) gmail (dot) com
cross-posted @ This Week With Barack Obama
Let's IMPEACH them, NOW! I pray this to honor every Iraqi child who was blown into redness for absolutely nothing -- other than happening to be born on oil-soaked sand -- in order to satisfy a bunch of chicken-hawk draft-dodgers who are currently running our nation using this bizarre, filthy, far-out Neocon "quasi-fascist" Middle-Eastern colonization attempt, just to help their buddies at Exxon and Haliburton. I really hope there is a fair judging for heaven and hell because that's where the Bush war criminals are going!
This "shifting to the center" meme is a right-wing smear to define BO as a flip-flopper. Barack Obama has always held these positions. Check the records; Read Audacity of Hope; Please check your issues. BO did not shift to the center as many right-wing pundits are claiming. The followings are positions that BO has held for as long as we've known him:
On NAFTA - No change, BO is and has been a free-trader all along but wanted trade-deals with labor standards to protect American workers.
On Guns - BO has always supported the right to bear arm as contained in 2nd Amendment (that's why he won Idaho, Colorado, etc. in the primary)
On Abortion - his current position has always been his position (that's why they EMILY's list attacked him in New Hampshire).
On Death Penalty - Go and check BO's Illinois record, where he led the reform there not to ban death penalty but to ensure a transparent and judicious death penalty system.
On Faith Based initiatives - Read Audacity of Hope. This has been BO's position all along.
On Iraq - BO has always had this "one or two brigade a month withdrawal" for a 16 months timeline in consultation with Commanders on the ground.
So in conclusion, I give it to the Republican for having succeeded in fooling the Democrats and the Press to embrace their talking point. They wanted to define BO as a flip-flopper the way they did against John Kerry. Ask yourself, why were the Press and McCain campaign so fast to twist BO's reiteration of his Iraq position? And this is the same position he's held since the first day he came up with "one or two brigade a month withdrawal" for a 16 months timeline. Same position from September of 2007
So wake up folks; read your copy of Audacity of Hope; check BO's records to see that he's a pragmatic left-of-the-center democrat.
I subscribe to a few mailing lists, both liberal and conservative. This came from a liberal mailing list. I passed it on to my son and then decided to post it here. One could quibble over a few of these, but most of them hit home. Author unknown.
Note: I know this is mostly a cut-n-paste diary, but it's far too long to go into a comment thread. It's mostly meant in fun. (Sure it is...)
To be a Republican you need to believe that:1. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
2. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's Daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him, and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.
reposted with permission
cross-posted @ This Week With Barack Obama
michelle and barack leaving after watching their daughter's soccer game
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Ahhh, this read from politico, made me remember that one song from the wonderful musical, Music Man.
McCain got trouble, though not in River City, but say, his base or supporters or organizers or everyone?
While we watched the longest primary ever, one thing is true, during this time we built a great ground game in all 50 states. And that is the gold standard from the primary going forward.
As we sloughed through each state, McCain had his "presumptiveness" in February. Those that challenged him, Romney and Huckabee, bowed down and got the hell out. They should have since Romney was paying for each primary and Huckabee was on a wing and a prayer. But nonetheless, they turned out to be good Republicans and made up with McCain, publicly, and have been campaigning for him since.
So, why is McCain in a funk? Various reasons. I think he watched the Democratic Primaries and thought beating up on each other was enough to skate in, but now he has found out that Barack Obama is "that formidable candidate" that he just can't quite figure out.
It starts with Ed Rollins on morning joe last week, the video is here, not only did he blast McCain's Campaign but compared it to the failed campaigns of Phil Graham and Bob Dole. OUCH. Yes, this campaign is being run by that crew.
"McCain's campaign seems not to have a game plan. I don't see a consistent message," said Ed Rollins, a veteran of Republican presidential campaigns. "As someone who has run campaigns, this campaign is not running smoothly. But none of this matters if they get their act together."Indeed, some Republican officials who spoke to Politico noted that there is still time for the campaign to find its footing and that no campaign is without its detractors. But the bulk of those interviewed expressed serious concern about what has appeared to be an aimless campaign so far, one that has failed to take advantage of a four-month head start on Democrats and has showed little sign of gaining traction.
"Here is where the problem is: We had a nomination gap between when McCain was nominated and the Democratic race completed," a swing state Republican Party chairman said. "I think [campaign manager] Rick Davis and his team did not have an understanding of how the grass-roots, organizational part of the party works. They did not use what the [Republican National Committee] had done, or how groups like the [National Rifle Association] could have helped the McCain campaign locally."They are just now opening up campaign operations in most states. The RNC was ready to go in most states in March," the state chairman continued, listing off grievances ranging from the campaign's "dictating" the members of various RNC committees to the state party's having been "threatened" that, though McCain "couldn't afford not to play in our state," the campaign would not "recommend us for resources" if the state party did not abide by its requests.
Another thing, McCain had four months on us. You mean to tell me they are just opening up statewide offices? McCain could have used this time to energize his base, listen to grievances, etc. The only thing I can surmise is the lack of money to not move ahead, and this should have started when Huckabee got OUT.
"What's the political strategy when you allow your opponent, who has just had a grueling four months, time to catch their breath, regroup, fundraise and start to define himself?" asked a Republican strategist who helped lead a past presidential campaign. "It's politics 101."
"Rather than trying to pull me in and make me an intricate part of the team they just told me what they wanted done, and said if you don't play ball we won't play ball," one state chairman said.Those chairmen noted that the conservative base is far less riled, and significantly smaller, than its liberal counterpart. For this reason, GOP leaders generally believe they will have to be more efficient to overcome Obama's advantages.
"You are going to hear a lot of complaints from state party chairmen," one chairman said of his colleagues. "They are used to the Rove-Mehlman model. They were very good at finding the place they needed to win, down to the county they needed in Ohio.
If McCain can not energize his base, understand the basic fundamentals of grassroots organizing, underwhelming in the money game, what is his message to get folks not only to the polls but to vote for him?
Keep our eyes on the final PRIZE, in between arguing, that is.
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cross-posted @ This Week With Barack Obama, reposted with permission
john and cindy mccain in bogata, columbia
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Now this is how you get the Bush Tax Cuts to work for you.
After reading another juicy joint from politico, we have The McCains and trying to weave through their money thing.
I don't see how anyone at this JUNCTURE can point the finger at The Obamas for anything in the realm of elitism. Not when you have The McCains with what 6, 7, 8 homes?
In recent years, a Politico analysis found, the McCain family appears to have tapped its fortune liberally.While Cindy McCain, her dependent children and the trusts and companies they control made as much as $29 million - and likely substantially more - from her family's business interests from 2004 through last year, data from the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Senate, U.S. Office of Government Ethics and the Center for Responsive Politics also reveals that they spent $11 million purchasing five condominiums for the family, hired additional household help and racked up progressively larger credit cards bills almost every year.
Their credit card bills peaked between January 2007 and May 2008, during which time Cindy McCain charged as much as $500,000 in a single month on one American Express card and $250,000 on another, while one of their two dependent children had an AmEx card with a monthly balance as large as $50,000.
Remember when John McCain's campaign was on exhaust fumes last year? Well his travel sure wasn't or did you expect John to travel in coach?
Likewise, John McCain's presidential campaign benefited from Cindy McCain's fortune, using a legal loophole to travel the country in a jet owned by her company for cut-rate fares.
For five of those months, the plane was used almost exclusively for campaign-related purposes, those records show.Mr. McCain's campaign paid a total of $241,149 for the use of that plane from last August through February, records show. That amount is approximately the cost of chartering a similar jet for a month or two, according to industry estimates.
Remember all the fuss on Michelle Obama's 148.00 dress she wore on The View? A dress she plucked off the rack? For many that is still pricey, but there will be no plucking off the racks for Cindy. No that just won't do.
For instance, in the June issue of Vogue magazine, Cindy McCain said she favors suits made by the German designer Escada, which typically retail for around $3,000-a-pop. If she becomes first lady, she told Vogue she may switch to an American designer, possibly Carolina Herrera, whose suits are comparably pricey.
NOBODY I KNOW SHOPS AT ESCADA.
Sorry, don't know anyone that does. You got to be in that "ultra rich" area to afford luxury clothing, yes that is what it is.
Now back to real estate, Cindy purchases three condos, and two in the same building. The condos are priced at 700K, 830K and 4.7M but it does not stop there:
Cindy McCain, through another family corporation, spent about $4.7 million in 2004 and 2008 on two condos in an exclusive building in Coronado, Calif., an affluent San Diego suburb noted for its high percentage of military retirees.
Through her trusts and other corporate entities, Cindy McCain also owns another three properties: a scenic ranch outside Sedona, Arizona, where John McCain has entertained staff, prospective running mates and political reporters; a three-bedroom Arlington, Virginia, condo that's been John McCain's Washington-area residence since 1993 and the La Jolla, California, condo on which the back taxes were due.
The McCains increased their budget for household employees from $184,000 in 2006 to $273,000 in 2007, according to John McCain's tax returns.
What about the Americans who are hurting with lack of health care, food costs soaring, gas at the pump is off the chain, jobs are leaving this country, lack of jobs, tuition costs unaffordable, losing their homes and those that can not cover their bills; I don't know anyone in America who can relate to the McCains extravagances.
I am tired of the same old type of candidate, who is ultra rich, ascending to the office of the presidency. What change can they bring? They have been fed with the silver spoon of trust funds, elitism, and prestige. This is not the average American who has to get up every day and work to make ends meet.
John and Cindy McCain should not utter another word about Barack and Michelle Obama. They never had to work hard for anything; it has always been given to them, from money to name recognition.
It is time for change, not keeping the same.
· Jim Gilmore Praises Bush, Calls SCHIP "Welfare" (lowkell)
· MyDD Blog Talk Radio -- Live from Netroots Nation (Jonathan Singer)
· NYT Kinda Confirms Al Gore Special Guest at #NN08 (Adam Conner)
· Nate Wilcox Interviewed on Netroots Nation, Netroots Rising (lowkell)
· Comprehensive Q2 & CoH Numbers for Senate Candidates (Senate Guru)
· IA-05: Steve King embarrasses Iowans again (desmoinesdem)
· MS-Sen: Musgrove Comes Out In Favor Of Net Neutrality (cottonmouthblog)
· Rasmussen: Obama Up in Nevada (Sven at My Silver State)
· Livebloggin McCain in Kansas City (clarkent)
· DFA Night School featuring Lakoff convenes today (desmoinesdem)
· CA-46, CA-50: Cook, Leibham Outraise Incumbents (dday)
· SD: Tim Johnson Leads Big in Polls, $$$ (lowkell)
