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It's Not Race, It's Arugula: Obama's Real Electoral Challenge
On the way to his rendezvous with destiny, Barack Obama consistently lost white voters, especially of the middle and working classes, to Hillary Clinton--voters variously known as Appalachians or Reagan Democrats, rural voters and white ethnics in the industrial states. Because of this, he lost most of the big swing states that a Democrat needs--Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia (which would have made Gore president in 2000 had he won there), that last by a staggering 41 points. Heading into the general election, in which the weight of the black vote will shrink as compared to its importance in the Democratic primaries, this weakness emerged as the prime threat to his promising candidacy and gave birth to two schools of thought on its cause.
School number one thinks it reflects racial hostility that Obama's opponents--first Hillary Clinton and now John McCain and the Republican party--are doing their best to rub raw. This is a case that Democrats have been making for the past 30-plus years, and its most recent airing came in a long piece in the May 19 Newsweek by Evan Thomas and Richard Wolffe. "The real test is yet to come," they warned. "The Republican Party has been successfully scaring voters since 1968, when Richard Nixon built a Silent Majority out of lower-and-middle-class folks frightened or disturbed by hippies and student radicals and blacks rioting. The 2008 race may turn on which party will win the lower and middle-class whites in industrial and border states--the Democrats' base from the New Deal to the 1960s, but 'Reagan Democrats' in most presidential elections since then. It is a sure bet that the GOP will try to paint Obama as 'the other'--as a haughty black intellectual who has Muslim roots." On the way to his rendezvous with destiny, Barack Obama consistently lost white voters, especially of the middle and working classes, ... more -
Warring Campaigns: Obama & McCain Trade Blows Over Iraq
Matt Lauer was in the middle of paying John McCain a tremendous compliment last Wednesday when the Republican nominee interrupted him.
"You showed enormous political courage when you backed President Bush's surge policy in Iraq at a time when--"
"May I correct that statement?"
"Go ahead."
"I advocated the surge policy before President Bush."
"Early on," prompted Lauer.
"Yes."
"Early on. You actually called for more troops way before the president."
"Yes, yes, and said the past strategy was going to fail."
This was more than McCain being boastful. His advisers believe it's a distinction that will help determine whether McCain wins or loses in November.
McCain was an early and forceful advocate of a policy that has helped turn around the Iraq war. The fact that McCain led on Iraq and did not simply support the president is one of the central rationales of his candidacy. It was his commander-in-chief moment. McCain emphasized this throughout the Republican primaries, when he scored his opponents (particularly Mitt Romney) for being insufficiently supportive of the surge, and it helped him win.
Now things get more complicated. The contrast between McCain and Barack Obama is greater than it was with any of his primary opponents, which, paradoxically, makes McCain's task more difficult. The broader electorate is much more skeptical about Iraq than those who voted in Republican primaries. A majority believes the war was a mistake, and most want to get troops home soon, if not immediately.
Matt Lauer was in the middle of paying John McCain a tremendous compliment last Wednesday when the Republican nominee interrupted him.... more -
Libertarian Party commends Paul for opening 'doors for liberty'
Party says Paul fought an uphill battle for liberty in his quest for the GOP nomination
Following the close of Ron Paul's presidential campaign, the Libertarian Party thanked Paul for all that he had done for liberty in his presidential bid. "Paul fought an uphill battle for liberty every day in his presidential campaign against all of the big-government juggernauts of the Republican Party," says Libertarian Party spokesperson Andrew Davis.
"Paul opened many doors for liberty in this nation through his presidential campaign," Davis continued. "By that standard--of which all politicians should be judged--he won a bigger victory than John McCain or Barack Obama ever will. Ron Paul worked to empower the people, not the government. That is a rare trait in today's political world."
(End of excerpt)
Full story at link by LP.org Party says Paul fought an uphill battle for liberty in his quest for the GOP nomination ... more -
Rumored 'Whitey' insult by Michelle Obama no big deal
Chicago Tribune writes:
"It's hard to come up with an ethnic slur that has less of a sting than "whitey."
A prevalent yet unsubstantiated Internet rumor has it that Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, used this term at some point in a speech, and the Obama campaign is concerned enough to have posted an online rebuttal.
....
It requires them to imagine that "whitey" marginalizes, diminishes and therefore harms white people.
And if they're really that dumb, then I guess they deserve to be insulted."
I can't understand why anyone cares if Michelle Obama said 'whitey' or not. Besides the fact that the Chicago Tribune points out, that it is barely deserving of the term 'insult', the term is often used as a joke. Similar to 'blackie', which I and other people have used to make fun of racism. For example, how in almost every movie, the black person dies first -- "Oh no, they killed blackie!" It sounds like if Michelle Obama did say 'whitey', it was for the similar jesting meaning. If she really meant anything rude or hateful, she would have said 'cracker' or something similar.
And let's imagine 'whitey' really is hurtful. Like men who are starting to whine because women are sexually harassing them at work, it seems ironic and silly for a people who have historically been in control and used those same tactics to victimize the other people, who have historically been abused and never in control, to cry about it. Blacks have had to put up with racism for decades and being called 'n-----', and yet at the first sign of a politician returning a tiny amount of that, they whine?
And don't forget the fact that if there really was any proof she said it, the conservative media would be all over it. Without proof, you just have to ignore it. I can easily say that McCain said he likes to dine on the flesh of infants (and more people would believe me!) without proof that he actually ever said it. If I repeat it enough, will people accept it as fact like they seem eager to do with the Obama campaign?
Chicago Tribune writes: "It's hard to come up with an ethnic slur that has less of a sting than "whitey." ... more -
Obama's VP search leader steps down
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The chief of Democrat Barack Obama's search for a vice presidential running mate stepped down from that role on Wednesday over questions about loans he received from a company involved in the U.S. housing crisis.
The Illinois senator said in a statement that Jim Johnson had decided to quit the unpaid position in order to avoid being a distraction from the process of gathering information about possible vice presidential candidates.
Obama clinched the Democratic presidential nomination last week and will face Republican John McCain in the November election.
"Jim did not want to distract in any way from the very important task of gathering information about my vice presidential nominee, so he has made a decision to step aside that I accept," Obama said.
Obama appointed Johnson last week to a three-member team heading his search for a No. 2. Other members of the team include Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John Kennedy, and former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder.
"We have a very good selection process under way, and I am confident that it will produce a number of highly qualified candidates for me to choose from in the weeks ahead," Obama said.
The Wall Street Journal had reported Johnson, former head of the mortgage giant Fannie Mae, received private loans at below-market rates from Countrywide after he left Fannie Mae.
Countrywide has been accused of helping fuel the subprime mortgage crisis with risky loans.
Illinois Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin told MSNBC that it was Johnson's decision to step down and was the right move.
"He's willing to step aside from this line of fire. And it appeared that this was going to be a bigger story than it really should have been. I think he made the right choice," said Durbin.
The campaign of Republican presidential candidate John McCain had heaped criticism on Johnson in response to weeks of attacks from Democrats over McCain's ties to lobbyists.
"Jim Johnson's resignation raises serious questions about Barack Obama's judgment," said McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds.
Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton fired back, saying, "We don't need any lectures from a campaign that waited fifteen months to purge the lobbyists from their staff."
Obama had given Johnson a vote of confidence on Tuesday, dismissing Republican criticism of him. Johnson had performed the same role for Walter Mondale in 1984 and John Kerry in 2004.
"I am not vetting my VP search committee for their mortgages," Obama had told reporters on Tuesday.
Obama's search for a running mate is casting a wide net. Former NATO commander James Jones surfaced this week as a name on his list.
Among other possibilities are his vanquished rival, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton; former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota, a close adviser to Obama; Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, a decorated Marine veteran of the Vietnam War; among others.
Johnson stepped down even as Obama was criticizing credit card companies for what he called predatory lending practices and accused McCain of turning a blind eye to them.
On a two-week tour focusing on problems in the U.S. economy, Obama held a round-table discussion with three people who have seen their credit card debt skyrocket due to a relentless cycle of interest rate increases and fees.
Obama said "John McCain has been part of the problem," accusing the presumptive Republican nominee of siding with banking industry lobbyists on credit issues and voting against an effort to increase transparency on credit card bills.
"When he had the chance to help families avoid falling into debt, John McCain sided with the credit card companies," Obama said of the Arizona senator. CHICAGO (Reuters) - The chief of Democrat Barack Obama's search for a vice presidential running mate stepped down from that role on We... more -
Why the Clinton Campaign Failed
Hillary Clinton has seen a nomination that was once hers for the taking slip from her grasp. How could it have happened?
The Economist will tell you. Hillary Clinton has seen a nomination that was once hers for the taking slip from her grasp. How could it have happened? ... more -
Bill Clinton losing it again
MILBANK, S.D. -- Former President Bill Clinton today unleashed a salty stream of epithets to describe former New York Times reporter and current Vanity Fair writer Todd Purdum, calling him "sleazy," "dishonest," "slimy" and a "scumbag."
****************************************************************************
There's one thing I've noticed watching both Gore and Clinton over the years.
Gore can show anger in public over things that affect other people, like Bush's war, his refusal to do anything about GHG emission or Abu Ghraib. At the same time I've never seen him out of control over something that was done to him even while he would have had plenty of reasons to trash the media after their "amazing" performance in 2000.
But Bill Clinton loses it only when it's about him. I've never seen him behave like this when it was about some kind of policy. Only when he was the target.
Now why is that? MILBANK, S.D. -- Former President Bill Clinton today unleashed a salty stream of epithets to describe former New York Times reporter a... more -
McClellan whacks Bush, White House
Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan writes in a surprisingly scathing memoir to be published next week that President Bush “veered terribly off course,” was not “open and forthright on Iraq,” and took a “permanent campaign approach” to governing at the expense of candor and competence.
Among the most explosive revelations in the 341-page book, titled “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception” (Public Affairs, $27.95):
• McClellan charges that Bush relied on “propaganda” to sell the war.
• He says the White House press corps was too easy on the administration during the run-up to the war.
• He admits that some of his own assertions from the briefing room podium turned out to be “badly misguided.”
Why is it that these guys tell the truth only after they have nothing to lose but we have lost a lot already?
Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan writes in a surprisingly scathing memoir to be published next week that President B... more -
Citizen Kate: Indy 500 Tips on Winning the Big Race
Ever wonder how AJ Foyt has won so many races in 50 years? Well, we did too, and if he can win those, perhaps he can offer up some tips to the Presidential candidates on winning too.
Citizen Kate goes to the Indy 500 to get the hot scoop. Ever wonder how AJ Foyt has won so many races in 50 years? Well, we did too, and if he can win those, perhaps he can offer up some tip... more -
Amishamed We Don't Vote
Indiana's controversial Voter ID law was upheld by the Supreme Court. Missouri citizens voted it down. It disenfranchises those who can't easily get an ID, like the Amish. But it turns out the Amish think of voting, or rather, don't think of voting. Indiana's controversial Voter ID law was upheld by the Supreme Court. Missouri citizens voted it down. It disenfranchises those who ... more
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Record Obama Crowd, the Size of a City
By Matthew Mosk
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Sen. Barack Obama has seen his share of large crowds over the last 15 months, but his campaign said they have not approached the numbers gathered along the waterfront here right now.
The campaign, citing figures from Duane Bray, battalion chief of Portland Fire & Rescue, estimated that 75,000 people are watching him speak.
The scene suggests this is not an exaggeration. The sea of heads stretches for half a mile along the grassy embankment, while others watch from kayaks and power boats bobbing on the Willamette River. More hug the rails of the steel bridge that stretches across the water and crowds are even watching from jetties on the opposite shore.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/05/18/rec... By Matthew Mosk ... more -
Barack on a Roll
The beginning of his final push, I love these events.
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It's time for Clinton and Obama to ignore each other and go after John McC
Now that the Pennsylvania primaries are over, it's time for Clinton and Obama to ignore each other and go after John McCain
by Leon
http://www.opednews.com
** Sounds like a winning strategy to me! **
Now that the Pennsylvania primaries are over, it’s time for Clinton and Obama to ignore each other and go after John McCain, his policies and his suitability to be president. After all, the objective for each of the Democratic candidates now is to show the elected delegates, the super delegates and to the American people that he or she is better able to defeat McCain, not each other.
There are many advantages to this approach. John McCain would no longer have a free ride while the two Democratic candidates attack each other and give the Republicans talking points for use in the general election. He would have to defend his position against the positions of both Clinton and Obama.
The presentations of the Democratic candidates could contrast their approaches on each of the issues to McCain’s, rather than each other’s, on both foreign and domestic policies. Defining McCain’s policies as an extension of the George W. Bush’s policies, in effect, a third term for Bush, would be best presented in this context.
Now that the Pennsylvania primaries are over, it's time for Clinton and Obama to ignore each other and go after John McCain ... more -
The latest proof that the Karl Rove playbook has become the MSM's Bible
The first of the latest round of exhibits proving that the Karl Rove playbook has become the MSM's bible was offered into evidence during last week's ABC debate. The uproar that followed made it seem as if this kind of behavior was an aberration but, in fact, this has been going on for years -- only in a less concentrated form.
Next came a double-whammy in Sunday's New York Times. First up was David Barstow's epic revelation of the unseemly complicity between the Pentagon and the mainstream media in delivering the Bush administration's talking points on Iraq via "a kind of Trojan media horse" -- Pentagon-approved, prepped, and financially-enriched "military analysts" dutifully parroting the Bush party line, with nary a raised eyebrow from the TV stations and newspapers offering these highly-decorated sock puppets (link to Porter post) their prestigious platforms.
It was -- and, indeed, continues to be -- a propagandists' field day. And while the moral bankruptcy of the "military analysts" -- many of whom now admit to promoting "facts" they knew to be untrue -- is astounding, it is more than matched by the bankrupt behavior of the media mavens who enabled the Pentagon disinformation campaign. Barstow paints a picture of TV and newspaper execs turning a blind eye to the conflicts of interest their analysts were drowning in. And now they are going mute: many of the news organizations Barstow contacted for his story -- including CBS, Fox, and NBC -- refused to comment, while others offered up half-hearted mea culpas. "We did not ask ... the follow up questions we should have," said CNN.
The first of the latest round of exhibits proving that the Karl Rove playbook has become the MSM's bible was offered into evidence dur... more -
Clinton campaign gets new conservative nod
Clinton campaign gets new conservative nod
Posted: 11:30 AM ET
(CNN) – Hillary Clinton's campaign is pointing to its Pennsylvania primary endorsement Sunday morning by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - the latest in a stunning series of recent rapprochements with previous conservative media foes.
"For Pennsylvania Democrats, the smart choice Tuesday is Mrs. Clinton," writes the paper's deeply conservative editorial board in a piece e-mailed to reporters by her campaign Sunday. "She has a real voting record on key issues. Agree with her or not, you at least know where she stands instead of being forced to wonder.
"Many of her views on domestic issues are too liberal for us, but on others she seems to have moderated. ."
The board sharply criticizes both Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, writing that: "Everyone utters stupidities now and then. Yet taken together and uttered repeatedly, they sound like a pattern of thought in the Obama household. It's a pattern the nation can't afford in the White House."
The Tribune-Review is owned and published by conservative Richard Mellon Scaife — a frequent critic of the Clintons who helped fund The Arkansas Project, a series of exhaustive investigations into former President Bill Clinton.
The New York senator famously built a relationship with former critic Rupert Murdoch, whose New York Post frequently blasted both Clintons. The Australian-born media baron even hosted a fundraiser for her during her second Senate run.
** Sorry, but I think her association with right win media is a sign that she will do anything for a vote. America is in such sad shape because too many Americans are willing to accept anything for want of a dollar. Anything for a vote is worse, she has sold out those of us who have been so offended by their attacks on fellow Democrats. One has to wonder why they are supporting Hillary? Is it because they want her as their target in November? Clinton campaign gets new conservative nod Posted: 11:30 AM ET ... more -
The Austin Debate: Clinton Attack Unveils Her Own Critical Vulnerability
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton met in Austin (TX) last night for their presidential campaign debate. The first-half was relativly civil, covering issues such as illegal immigration, recognition of the new Cuban government and health care.
At the begininng of the second-half, Clinton made her charge that Obama copied parts of his speeches. This was very poorly received by the audience; it backfired on her, unveiling a crucial moment of Clinton's own vulnerability.
This article includes photographs and and videos. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton met in Austin (TX) last night for their presidential campaign debate. The first-half was relativly c... more -
Faith in Texas: A Gratitude for Barack Obama
"Faith in Texas: A Gratitude for Obama." Huge crowds continue to show for Barack Obama's campaign appearances all over Texas. In Dallas yesterday,17,000 supporters crowded into the city's Reunion Arena, eagerly cheering Obama's speech, fired up about his themes of hope, change and unity.
This article includes photographs, a photo-gallery and a music video. "Faith in Texas: A Gratitude for Obama." Huge crowds continue to show for Barack Obama's campaign appearances all over Texas. In Dal... more -
Barack Obama and Clinton Celebrate Super Tuesday Primary Victories
"Barack Obama and Clinton Celebrate Their Super Tuesday Democratic Primary Victories." Photographs and videos are included. The videos include Obama's Super Tuesday speech to his supporters, as well as the "Yes We Can" celebrity music vido. "Barack Obama and Clinton Celebrate Their Super Tuesday Democratic Primary Victories." Photographs and videos are included. The video... more
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Voters Show Darker Mood Than in 2000
The United States is depressed!
Americans seem to agree that compared to our political landscape 8 years ago, this one is very different and much gloomier.
People are deeply unsettled about the United States? place in the world and its ability to control its own destiny.
Americans feel a loss of autonomy, in their own lives and in the nation. Their politics are driven by the powerlessness they feel to control their financial well-being, their safety, their environment, their health and the country?s borders. They question whether each generation will continue to ascend the economic ladder. That the political system seems so impotent only deepens their frustration and their insistence on results. The United States is depressed! ... more -
Comedy Central's Presidential Campaign spot featuring Lee Camp
Comedian Lee Camp's brief but inspired run for the Presidency on Comedy Central. www.leecamp.net
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