OBAMA DAILY NEWS Monday March-17-2008

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

WELCOME TO THE OBAMA DAILY NEWS THREAD

Monday March-17-2008



Esteemed DUer's, please consider taking a moment (or more) to graciously participate
by posting news and announcements about the Obama campaign on this thread. You can:

1. Post stories and announcements you find on the web. :web:

2. Re-post stories and announcements you find on DU,providing a link to the
original thread with thanks to the Original Poster,too. :applause:

3. Please "Recommend" for the Greatest Page :thumbsup:

:yourock:

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[WillYourVoteBCounted]

1. ED RENDELL’S HEALTHCARE HOAX (AND THE SINGLE-PAYER SOLUTION)[/

ED RENDELL’S HEALTHCARE HOAX (AND THE SINGLE-PAYER SOLUTION)

by Jerry Policoff Sun Mar 16, 2008

With Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell's Prescription For Pennsylvania all but dead in its original form, his political allies in the State Legislature, led by Todd Eachus, a member of the Democratic Leadership in the House, seem intent upon salvaging what they can via an amended bill they hope will pass the Pennsylvania House this Monday, March 17th.
Gone is "Cover All Pennsylvanians," a title that was never even remotely appropriate.
In its place comes "Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care" (PABC), an even weaker program that is being baselessly hailed by its proponents as a "huge" step forward toward insuring all Pennsylvanians.

Before examining the new Rendell/Eachus legislative initiative and the accompanying full court press to pass it – with an assist from predominantly favorable, even sycophantic media coverage -- some background regarding the original Rendell plan might prove helpful and enlightening.

more at the link

[californiaguy]

2. Hi.

[FrenchieCat]

9. Are you testing, 1, 2, 3?

Welcome!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

3. David Gergen on Obama's pastor story....A voice of reason... (kick this)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5091981&mesg_id=5091981

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

4. McCain's Spiritual Guide: Who Is Rod Parsley?

McCain's Spiritual Guide: Who Is Rod Parsley?

by Public Servant Sat Mar 15, 2008

On February 26, 2008, just a week before the Ohio Primary, John McCain announced at a rally in Cincinnati that televangelist Rod Parsley was his "spiritual guide." This was an important "get" for McCain because Parsley is the pied piper of the religious right in Ohio, and McCain had been struggling with those in the Religious Right and fellow uber-conservatives, and he also needed to end Huckabee's constant needling. McCain can now put a small checkmark in the religious right voting box... but that checkmark comes with some HEAVY baggage...

As I live just down the road from Parsley’s church and home, this hits home for me in a big way, and I felt compelled to prep a diary on the subject. Also, I’d promised Anastasia, Meteor Blades and some others in a few diary comments that I’d follow up with a diary on this. So, if you’re interested, read on below the fold for additional details and for an excellent link to videos of McCain’s "big toe" and spiritual guide, Rod Parsley (aka, the Parsley Flake).

Public Servant's diary :: ::

Well, for starters, Rod Parsley ( http://www.rodparsley.com ), a fundamentalist Christian, has called for the eradication of Islam as a false, anti-Christian religion, and for Christians to wage a new crusade against Islam. Parsley wants his followers to man their battle stations, ready their weapons, and lock and load to let the reformation begin.
Guess this fits right in with McCain’s "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" favorite song and philosophy.

Additionally, Parsley and his Center for Moral Clarity have called for the outright prosecution of people who commit adultery, and have compared Planned Parenthood workers to Nazis.
The CMC pushes a strict biblical response to moral issues like abortion.

read more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

5. Obama’s Church Responds

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5116494

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

6. Pastor's Perspective on Obama's "Pastoral Problem"

In response to "Right Matters » Obama's Pastor Problem", Washington Post, as found in the "groups" forum:

Pastor's Perspective on Obama's "Pastoral Problem"

Pastor BruceGillette 3/16/2008

I am a life-long registered Republican, conservative in many ways and a Presbyterian pastor.
Here is my perspective.

You wrote "Days after the 9/11 attacks, he said that America had brought them on itself."

Have you ever heard of the phrase "blowback"? If not, read the following and you will understand Pastor Wright's position on 9/11.
No one is defending terrorism, but we need understand why it happens and sometimes how the USA has a role in it.
From the conservative, evangelical magazine Christianity Today: "Jerry Falwell Was Right: God really does judge the nations, new book argues":
http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2007/august/24.55.html From the liberal Nation magazine: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20011015/johnson

For those of your readers who are truly conservative Christians who want to see a thoughtful study on how Christians can respond to terrorism, check out http://www.pcusa.org/peacemaking/pubs/rtvbook.pdf

"In another sermon he said that we should say "God damn America" instead of "God bless America."" We do want God to bless our nation, but during this Holy Week,let us remember that Jesus wept over his own nation for failing to know the ways of peace. The USA's attack on Iraq violated traditional (conservative!!!) just war doctrine and was condemned by every major Christian denomination in the world. If all these Christian leaders, including past and present popes, agree we have done wrong,do you think God is happy with us?
Again for conservative Christians who want to take 2000+ years of just war doctrine seriously and how it applies to Iraq, read http://www.pcusa.org/oga/publications/iraq-responsibility.pdf

I hope your conservative readers will read the Bible which says nations are judged by how they take care of the least of these (Matthew 25). To be a conservative should mean to take the Bible seriously. Yet we have far too many poor in this county (when did you write about that?).
Our nation, thanks to the greedy writers and readers of the National Review, gives far less in foreign aid compared to most wealthy nations.

Obama's pastor is a prophet like those found in the Old Testament and Jesus himself.
You may not like what he has to say or what he says in a highly edited soundbit, but as conservatives who are suppose to take the Bible serious, we should be less critical and more open to the possibility that God is speaking to us to repent as a nation.

link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

7. Questions for For the Audience? r/e your criticism of Obama's pastor?

Another excellent response to "Right Matters » Obama's Pastor Problem", Washington Post, as found in the "groups" forum:

Questions for For the Audience?

revhoward05 3/16/2008

1. Was J. Wright scripturally accurate? YES he was. The bible does condemn nations that shed innocent blood and strays from the commandments and if you haven't noticed the US is straying from the principles that our constitution was framed on. The principles that men like G. Washington, J. Adams and others fought to make sure were included in our cannon of laws.

2. Was J. Wright politically accurate? Yes, Al-Queida was trained and armed by the US army to help curtail the arms race and allowed to become the world's largest producers of heroine in the late 80's and 90's in the Afghan region. Yes they were funded by US tax dollars for longer than our government wants to admit and YES our decision to revoke their ally status and classify them as a hostile regime/enemy combatants, as well as our occupation of Arab states contributed to fundamentalist Islamic disdain of America that fueled the Attacks on 09/11.

2. Tell me how J. Wright's statement are any different from the John Hagee, Rod Parsley, or the late Jerry Falwell, when they rallied their bases around Gay Marriage in '00 and '02 races? Or called the Katrina disaster punishment for the sins of the nation?

3. If you don't think that the current administration has further tilted the power structure in favor of the richest 2% of the nation then you are in serious denial and should look at the recent record profits from the Oil companies since 2004 or the no bid contracts for the Iraq war/occupation that have LOST BILLIONS of tax dollars without any explanation or accountability. Also, why isn't anyone talking about Katrina now? J. Wright is still funding missions to help rebuild and recuperate at region that is being looted and plundered by people looking to make a profit off of disaster.

4. Tell me which of you dares to question the patriotism of someone who has served as a Marine in combat and afterward was Presidential Medic?Which of you have studied Liberation theology or has a degree in any relevant area of theology that will qualify you to examine a theological statement made during a sermon?

5. Has anyone bothered to listen to the sermon in its entirety or are you jumping to conclusions based on the 30 seconds that you heard on CNN, MSNBC or Fox?

link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

8. Obama's Pastor Problem- as compared to McCAIN'S?!?

Obama's Pastor Problem- as compared to McCAIN'S?!?

Bartron 3/16/2008

John McCain has openly accepted endorsement from the Reverand John Hagee, who brought us the following gems:

"All hurricanes are acts of God, because God controls the heavens. I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God, and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that.

The newspaper carried the story in our local area, that was not carried nationally, that there was to be a homosexual parade there on the Monday that the Katrina came. And the promise of that parade was that it would was going to reach a level of sexuality never demonstrated before in any of the other gay pride parades.

So I believe that the judgment of God is a very real thing. I know there are people who demur from that, but I believe that the Bible teaches that when you violate the law of God, that God brings punishment sometimes before the Day of Judgment, and I believe that the Hurricane Katrina was, in fact, the judgment of God against the city of New Orleans."

"Those who live by the Koran have a scriptural mandate to kill Christians and Jews."

Mr. Ponnuru, if you still believe that Barack Obama has not disavowed the controversial remarks of Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., then you are simply not paying attention.

Mr. Obama has REPEATEDLY made it clear that while he personally liked Wright, he did not share Mr. Wright's viewpoints. In response to Wright's praise of Louis Farrakahn and Farrakahn's subsequent endorsement of Obama's campaign, Obama stated flatly on national TV, DURING A DEBATE, that he repudiated the endorsement.

Most recently, Mr. Wright has been let go from his small role in Obama's campaign.

Senator Obama has made it abundantly clear that he does not share Mr. Wright's opinions, and yet you castigate him as if Wright and Obama were the same person. Meanwhile, John McCain accepts the endorsement of an unabashedly homophobic nutcase, and you say nothing.

link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

10. Obama's church accuses media of character assassination

Obama's church accuses media of character assassination

Politico 16 Mar 2008

The Chicago church attended by Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) issued a statement Sunday contending
that coverage of his pastor’s inflammatory remarks amounted to character assassination and
"an attack on … the history of the African American church."

more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

11. Why We Need Racial Healing - eugenics in US as recently as 1974

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5104771#5114237

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

12. What Is Clinton Hiding? The Media Begins To Notice The Clintons' Secrecy. Let The Vetting Begin!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5109354&mesg_id=5109354

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

13. Bill Nelson has irritated some FL Dem leaders with his press appearances (MadFloridian)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5116518

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

14. First it was Pelosi. Now its superdelegates. A consensus is forming..

First it was Pelosi. Now its superdelegates. A consensus is forming: Barack Obama will be the Democratic Party's nominee.

By JedReport - March 16, 2008

Three things happened this weekend that might not get much time on cable television, but were huge developments nonetheless.

On Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she thinks superdelegates ought to follow the results of the primaries and caucuses, specifically identifying pledged delegates as her key metric.

During yesterday's Iowa County Convention, Barack Obama gained total of nine additional delegates-- eight from John Edwards supporters, and one from Hillary Clinton supporters. This shows that Clinton's attacks are backfiring, and that
the Democratic activist base is rallying around Barack Obama.

Finally, today The New York Times reports that based on dozens of interviews, undecided superdelegates generally agree that they should back the will of the voters.

These three things, taken together with the fundamental delegate math, suggest a consensus is forming: Barack Obama will be the Democratic Party's nominee

...more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

15. Cilliza from WashPO: Don't underestimate Olbermann's Influence

Cilliza from WashPO: Don't underestimate Olbermann's Influence

By Rich - March 16, 2008

Cilliza blogs about the Olbermann Special Comment on Clinton and Ferraro....

...It also speaks to the rise of talk radio (Air America specifically) and people like Keith Olbermann who are countering the Coulter/Limbaugh/Savage type radio/tv programming that has rallied the Republican Right in the past. I think it represents a direct response to the tepid comebacks of Democrats in the past elections. For whatever reason, Democrats have not fought back hard enough, and these shows are starting to show that they will.

Anyways, Cilliza doesn't really pass much judgement on what Olbermann said, other than to say this:

"But the tenor of his comments, coupled with the influence he wields among progressive activists,
could well hurt Clinton's cammpaign as she seeks to make the case to the remaining states why
she should be the nominee.

As Democrats learned in the 1990s, underestimate the power of Limbaugh at your own peril.
Clinton's campaign would be wise to heed that lesson when it comes to Olbermann."

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

16. Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck for Obama

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck for Obama

By Inside Track Monday, March 17, 2008

Hollywood power couple Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner rolled down the red carpet at Rumor last night to do -
as Ben called it - “their part for society” and threw a fund-raising event for their pick for president, Barack Obama.

“There are a lot of things (I like about Obama),” Affleck gushed to press inside the event,
“but I won’t bore you with all of them.”

Calling the senator from Illinois a “genuine, real force” the Cambridge homey explained
he just believes Obama is the person for the job.
“I’m an actor,” Affleck quipped with a grin.
“I’m not going to create 10-point policy details of why.”

The “Gone Baby Gone” director has been an outspoken Obama supporter since he first met
the charismatic Dem at the 2004 Democratic convention in Boston.

more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

17. Bill Clinton on Rush Limbaugh Show 3/4/08 (TX & OH Primary Date)

Bill Clinton went on the Rush Limbaugh show on 3/4/08 (the day of TX and OH primaries)
and don't forget that Rush was urging his "dittoheads" to cross over in the Texas and Ohio primaries.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

18. This may come in handy for those numerous pastorgate posts

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

19. Some New Yorkers Don't Appear To Be Too Happy

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5117530&mesg_id=5117530

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

20. Swamp Rat outdid himself: Graphic of Limpballs urging vote for Clinton

wow SwampRat!!!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

21. Many voting for Clinton to boost GOP, Seek to prolong bitter battle (kick the heck out of this)

Many voting for Clinton to boost GOP, Seek to prolong bitter battle

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5118074

[knixphan]

22. National Archives to soon Release Hillary Clinton’s White House Daily Schedules

http://www.hillaryproject.com/index.php?/en/story-details/national_archives_to_soon_release_hillary_clintons_white_house_daily_schedu/

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

23. Daily Gallup Poll after Pastorgate - Yawn- Obama loses 1 point

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5116549&mesg_id=5116549

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

24. What the Pundits Mistake About Obama's Church (recommend)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5118207

[grantcart]

25. Obama Looks to Elevate Contests After Pennsylvania

http://s.wsj.net/public/r
FROM THE WALL STREET
JOURNAL

Pennsylvania's primary is more than a month away, but Sen. Barack Obama already is tamping down expectations for the Keystone State and building support for contests that follow.


The Democratic presidential hopeful has made just one stop in the Keystone State this month, touring a wind-turbine factory this week and addressing a small, invitation-only crowd. On Saturday, the Illinois senator travels to Indiana, which doesn't vote until May 6.The strategy illustrates a shift from earlier in the race, when the Obama campaign boasted it could win anywhere if only it had enough time. "The more people know me, the better I do," Sen. Obama said after his win in South Carolina in January.

At the same time that the Obama camp is trying to lower expectations about its showing in Pennsylvania, it is trying to elevate the importance of the contests that follow. "I think that if the media is following us, they won't just be fixed on Pennsylvania, because we're going to be traveling all over the country," says David Axelrod, Sen. Obama's top strategist.

Sen. Clinton has several advantages in the state. The demographics in western Pennsylvania are similar to those of Ohio, and in the east, they are similar to New Jersey -- states Sen. Clinton won with 54-44 margins. Sen. Clinton has done well with two constituencies that Pennsylvania has in abundance: older voters and white, blue-collar workers. She also has sewn up endorsements from the state's popular governor, Ed Rendell, and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

The Clinton campaign says it plans to open at least 20 offices with around 200 paid staff in the state, compared with 15 to 20 offices and 150 paid staff for the Obama campaign. In recent days, Clinton supporters have tried to portray Sen. Obama as disrespecting the state by not immediately waging an aggressive campaign there, and suggesting that winning Pennsylvania, a swing state, would demonstrate that Sen. Clinton would be a stronger candidate than Sen. Obama in the general election.

On Thursday, Sen. Obama rejected the idea that the campaign wouldn't compete aggressively in the state. "I will spend a lot of days in Pennsylvania," he told reporters. "When you start 20 points down, that means you've got a lot of work to do." Meanwhile, his campaign is encouraging voters who aren't registered as Democrats to join the party by March 24 in order to vote in the state's primary.

[grantcart]

26. Comprehensive report on Iowa County Conventions

Be Sure to go to Reply 58 for an indepth report from TWOSPARKLES about what happened as a delegate.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5105540&mesg_id=5105540

[grantcart]

27. Daily Gallup Poll after Pastorgate - Yawn- Obama loses 1 point

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5116549&mesg_id=5116549

[grantcart]

28. Chuck Todd's latest numbers for Ohio conventions Obama =+ 10

Chuck Todd: "The Clinton and Obama campaigns just got done fighting over Iowa... again! The state's 99 county Democratic parties held conventions today and the two campaigns were actively fighting to gain even more pledged delegates. At stake: the 14 pledged delegates John Edwards earned during the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses."

"Tonight, the Obama campaign claimed a gain of 7 pledged delegates, added to the 16 they earned on Jan. 3. Obama's manager, David Plouffe, also said their math had Clinton actually losing one of her 15 delegates that she garnered on Jan. 3. BTW, if the 7 number is accurate, it would be two short of what Clinton netted out of Ohio."

The Clinton campaign disputes losing any delegates but admits Obama gained.

Update: Todd confirms Obama won 7 new delegates and says Clinton also gained one. There are still six Edwards delegates up for grabs at the convention.

Update II: Todd notes revised numbers today: Obama +9, Clinton -1

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

29. Florida Dem senator whines to the BBC....threatens DNC.."mutually assured destruction."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5110663&mesg_id=5110663

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

30. Democrats risk losing a generation

Democrats risk losing a generation

BY RON DZWONKOWSKI • Detroit FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • March 16, 2008

If -- and it's still an if -- the numbers just don't add up for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton to be the Democratic presidential nominee, but the party, through its arcane rules and superdelegates process, gives it to her anyway, Democrats will pay dearly, for a generation or more.

Instead of re-establishing themselves as the party in power for perhaps the next 20 years, Democrats could be effectively handing the White House to Republican John McCain and alienating up to 30 million young voters who have gotten engaged in politics this year for the first time because of Barack Obama. If these voters feel that Obama has been cheated out of a chance to run for president, they and the hordes more of them becoming eligible to vote in the years ahead, will not easily return to the Democratic fold. Even if they like the party's principles, they will distrust its processes.

In this scenario, Clinton mitigates the damage only somewhat by choosing Obama as her vice presidential candidate -- a role he has said he doesn't want anyway.

More likely, young voters sit out the election (as they have in the past) and McCain wins and Democrats dissolve again into their bickering, finger-pointing ways while an emerging generation that desperately wants to see a stronger, safer and better America backs out of the political system.

more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

31. From Hotlanta, Hillary's State:

[catgirl]

33. Kick!

So true.

[grantcart]

51. Leading in the state of Confusion as well

[JimGinPA]

32. Kick

:kick:

[ginnyinWI]

34. Sully weighs in on Obama's faith

A reader says that we cannot know what is in Obama's heart, and to a certain extent, that's true. My reader believes therefore that Wright's racist anger is what Obama truly believes - and is now concealing. All I can say is that very, very few public figures have been so candid about why and how they found the message of Jesus so compelling, or have explained their faith journey so pellucidly (certainly not our spiritually inarticulate current president). The appeal of that church to Obama was not anger or racism or the ugliness in some of Jeremiah Wright's tub-thumping. What Obama discovered - as a previous atheist - was the spiritual power of Christian hope.

more: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/03/what-obama-saw.html

[grantcart]

35. kick

[Hope And Change]

36. Van Zandt: 'I Back Obama'

Van Zandt: 'I Back Obama'


Rocker-turned-actor Steven Van Zandt shunned presidential candidate Hillary Clinton by refusing to take part in her video spoof of The Sopranos - because he prefers Barack Obama.
Monday, March 17, 2008

Rocker-turned-actor Steven Van Zandt shunned presidential candidate Hillary Clinton by refusing to take part in her video spoof of The Sopranos - because he prefers Barack Obama.

The Clinton campaign asked Van Zandt to play a menacing figure in a video where Bill and Hillary Clinton meet to discuss the song selected for her campaign theme.

But Van Zandt - who is a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and also plays hardman Sivio Dante in the TV drama - refused to endorse the Democrat because he was hoping for a "Gore/Obama ticket".

He says, "They asked me to be in that. I declined. I thought it was cleaver, and funny. I just didn't feel comfortable endorsing her, or anyone else at this stage.

"I was hoping for a Gore/Obama ticket. I read Obama'a book, and the guy is frighteningly intelligent. I thought, 'Wouldn't it be nice to try the other side of the coin, and actually have the smartest guy in the room be president.'"

The role ultimately went to Vincent Curatola, who played New York mob boss Johnny 'Sack' Sacramoni in the HBO series.

http://www.wrdx.com/cc-common/mainheadlines3.html?feed=104703&article=3414779

[Hope And Change]

37. Senator Obama on the State of the Economy

Senator Obama on the State of the Economy


By Sam Graham-Felsen - Mar 17th, 2008 at 12:37 pm EDT

Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the state of the economy.

The news coming from Wall Street today has confirmed our fears that the financial fallout from the mortgage crisis would spillover into the wider economy. Months ago, I went to Wall Street and said that our capital markets could not function without the confidence and trust of the public. I said that Wall Street could not succeed while the rest of America struggled. Now, as the Federal Reserve does its best to bring stability to the market, we must focus on what we can do to restore the public’s confidence in the market and help the millions of Americans who are worried about their jobs, their homes, and their financial future.

History will not judge President Bush kindly for his failure to act in a way that could’ve prevented or alleviated this economic crisis. There have been few Administrations so out of touch with the concerns and the struggles of working Americans and so beholden to the lobbyists and special interests who blocked any kind of regulatory oversight of the financial sector. Whether it was subprime lending, credit cards, or bankruptcy laws, Washington has allowed these special interests to prevent sensible policy that could have prevented the most serious effects of the current predicament.

Nowhere has the failure been more pronounced than the President’s refusal to address the plight of homeowners and Main Street businesses that lie at the heart of the turmoil right now. After months of inaction and half-measures, the President traveled to New York last week to say that there is a danger in doing too much and implied that doing nothing would be preferable. His principle policy to address the financial crunch that now threatens millions of Americans with foreclosure and thousands of business with bankruptcy is to extend his tax cuts for the wealthiest few. It’s a policy so divorced from the reality facing the American people and the American economy that it would be laughable if it weren’t so frightening.

At this moment, we must come together and act to address the housing crisis that set this downturn in motion and continues to eat away at the public’s confidence in the market. We should pass the legislation I put forward with my colleague, Chris Dodd, to create meaningful incentives for lenders to buy or refinance existing mortgages so that Americans facing foreclosure can keep their homes. This is not a bailout for lenders or investors who gambled recklessly, and it is not a windfall for borrowers. It is a fair and responsible way to help stem the foreclosure crisis.

Many other steps will be required to reverse this downturn in the weeks to come. It will require the efforts of those in the financial community; of the Federal Reserve; of Congress, and the White House. And it will also require a renewed confidence that we can meet this challenge. We are the United States of America, and each time we have faced moments of adversity in the past – some much greater than this – we have summoned a spirit of cooperation and innovation to emerge stronger and more prosperous than we were before. But it will take work, it will take time, and it will take leadership that recognizes that we are all part of the same economy, and that economy must work for every American in order for America to prosper in the 21st century.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGBKnx#comments">Link

[Hope And Change]

38. Obama To Visit Charlotte, NC

Obama To Visit Charlotte


POSTED: 12:00 pm EDT March 17, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will visit Charlotte on Wednesday.

His campaign announced stops in Charlotte and Fayetteville. He’ll be at the Grady Cole Center to hold a “Stand For Change Town Hall Meeting” at 3:30 p.m.

No details have been released on the Fayetteville stop.

The fight for delegates between Senator Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton has made North Carolina's primary a crucial stop in the 2008 presidential campaign.

North Carolina's primary is May 6.

http://www.wsoctv.com/politics/15618697/detail.html

[grantcart]

39. Another Superdelegate for Obama

Obama Release on Illinois SuperdelegateAnother Superdelegate Endorses Barack Obama for President

CHICAGO, IL – Margie Gavin Woods, a superdelegate from Illinois, announced she is supporting Senator Barack Obama for President today, citing his ability to unite the country:

“I support Barack Obama for president because he is an inclusive candidate who is trying to unite our country, democrats, independents and republicans, around a common purpose. I have spent decades in public service, and I’ve never seen our young people so engaged and enthusiastic. Barack Obama hasn’t forgotten where he’s come from, and I believe he has the experience and the character to lead this great nation forward.”

Margie Gavin Woods is the Minority Leader of the Will County Board and a member of the Democratic National Committee.

[grantcart]

40. BIG DROP IN OBAMA'S MAGIC NUMBER

DemcomWatch has factored in Obama's big Iowa win and the magic number has dropped to 411.5 Clinton's 531.5

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/03/ultimate-delegate-summary.html

[Scurrilous]

41. Kick

:kick:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

42. great JPG image by Pocoloco to post to pastorgate or other posts

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

43. Freepology Today: Author of NewsMax "Obama Bombshell" is a Freeper (kick this one)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5123227&mesg_id=5123227

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

44. "Hillary, Have You No Sense Of Decency !"

"Hillary, Have You No Sense Of Decency !"

by Al Rodgers Wed Mar 12, 2008

"You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?!"
"Have you left no sense of decency!?"

Joseph Welch to Joe McCarthy, June 9, 1954.

This quote rang through my head, over and over, as I watched Keith's commentary.

40 years after George Wallace was Exorcised from our soul, a Democrat and former First Lady cravenly resorts to racial polarization.

At the end, Keith and Rachel Maddow choke back tears, devastated by the depravity of Hillary's campaign.

MADDOW: "For anybody to be saying that Barack Obama is only where he is because he is black, that black men are so privileged in America, that that‘s the only thing that explains his success, because he‘s otherwise unqualified is absolutely offensive!"

OLBERMANN: "Yes, if we heard this from Robert Novak, if we heard this from Glen Beck, if we heard this from Bill O‘Reilly, we‘d be appalled. I don‘t think we‘d necessarily hear it from some of them."

Here, Keith is STUNNNED beyond belief, when he realizes, LIVE, on-the-air, the Clintons are up to their eye-balls in gutter politics.

"So, Senator Clinton wants a racist, clearly equal opportunity is not a good thing, and that‘s the only reason he‘s here, kind of statement interjected into the campaign?!"

"This reaction, right now, is intentional?!" (emphasis original).

This is all about 2012. This has always been about the Clintons - not the country, not the party - but them.

They know they won't win the nomination this year. So they desperately run a scorched earth campaign to elevate McCain and denigrate Obama.

Their only remaining prospect is running against a 76 year old McCain in 2012. To this end, they will say and do anything - including damaging the eventual Democratic nominee, by any means possible.

The Democratic establishment has to wake-the-fuck-up!!

Do they wanna fumble away this golden opportunity? If they don't, then they have to immediately stand up and stamp-out Clinton's polarization.

more at the link, including videos

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

45. Senator Clinton, I support you. But this is REALLY pissing me off.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5124073

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

46. Mississippi: 'Limbaugh Effect' Softens Blow For Hillary Clinton

Mississippi: 'Limbaugh Effect' Softens Blow For Hillary Clinton

Posted March 12, 2008 John K. Wilson

Hillary Clinton suffered a huge defeat last night in Mississippi, and now faces an insurmountable pledged delegate lead by Barack Obama. But what most pundits missed was the fact that Obama's victory would have been even more overwhelming in Mississippi (and he might have won the popular vote in Texas) if not for the "Limbaugh effect": Republicans voting in the Democratic primary in order to undermine Barack Obama and help John McCain.

Approximately 25% of Clinton's voters in Mississippi were Republicans voting for a candidate they hate in order to try to undermine Barack Obama.

Obama's 61-37 margin of victory in Mississippi would have been around 70-30 without Clinton's Republican voters, and Obama would have easily expanded his delegate win there from 19-14 to 24-9.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

47. My sympathies to all Clinton supporters

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5125134&mesg_id=5125134

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

48. Bill and Hillary *EXPLETIVE DELETED* the Democratic Party

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5124078

[Hope And Change]

49. Senator Obama Speaks with Irish Prime Minister on St. Patrick's Day

Senator Obama Speaks with Irish Prime Minister on St. Patrick's Day


By Sam Graham-Felsen - Mar 17th, 2008 at 4:42 pm EDT


Barack Obama:

This morning, I spoke by phone with the Irish Prime Minister, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, to wish him a Happy St. Patrick's Day and to reiterate my strong commitment that my Administration will be a good friend of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

I congratulated the Taoiseach on the tremendous progress made in Northern Ireland over the past year with the establishment of the Assembly and the Executive. We discussed the outlook for the future of Northern Ireland and I raised the issue of the devolution of justice, which I hope will occur very soon.

As I said over a year ago, I will personally engage on issues involving the island of Ireland where America can play a constructive role, working closely with the Taoiseach, Prime Minister Brown, and party leaders in Northern Ireland.

I asked the Taoiseach about the impact that the slowdown of the US economy is having on Ireland, since I am aware that the Economic and Social Research Institute in Ireland just revised its forecast on Ireland's economic growth down to 1.6% this year. In addition to our shared heritage and shared values, our countries have strong economic ties. The presence of US companies in Ireland helped create the Celtic Tiger, and Ireland's success has had a positive impact on our own economy, with Irish companies creating tens of thousands of jobs in the US and the Irish being large investors in the US economy.

I have also seen the enormous contributions that Irish immigrants have made to America, and am committed to pursuing immigration policies that keep open the doors of opportunity in this country. That is why I was proud to stand with Senator Kennedy in crafting, fighting for and marching for comprehensive immigration legislation.

I was delighted to learn, earlier this year, that my ancestors on my mother's side of the family were Irish. My ancestors came from County Offaly in Ireland. Knowing that Tanaiste Brian Cowen is also from Offaly, and knowing that he was elected to the Irish parliament with the highest number of votes, I said I am hoping for the luck of that particular Irishman in this election.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGBK4t#comment-gPYLC">Link

[grantcart]

50. Delegates, Super Delegates and ??? WTF Add On Delegates ????

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5126016

[flpoljunkie]

52. PHOTOS: Barack Obama today on the campaign trail on St. Patrick's Day in Scranton, PA

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., shoots pool during a taping of a MTV roundtable, Monday, march 17, 2008, at Whistles Pub in Scranton, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., left, laughs after watching a pool shot during a taping of a MTV roundtable, Monday, March 17, 2008, at Whistles Pub in Scranton, Pa.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., shakes hands with Theresa Rinaldi prior to participating in an MTV roundtable, Monday, March 17, 2008, at Whistles Pub in Scranton, Pa.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., signs a green Obama sign for Terry McDonald prior to participating a MTV roundtable, Monday, March 17, 2008, at Whistles Pub in Scranton, Pa.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., gets a kiss from Maddie Williams from Clarks Summitt, Pa., Monday, March 17, 2008, at The Society of Irish Women St. Patrick's Day Celebration in Scranton, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)


Supporters hold signs for Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., and Sen. Hillary Clinton D-N.Y., Monday, March 17, 2008, in Scranton, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

[grantcart]

53. Is Speaker Pelosi sending us a signal? Birth of the Pelosi Number

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5131883

[grantcart]

54. Does Trinity Church, Rev. Wright and the UCC teach hatred and violence?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5129463&mesg_id=5129463

[Hamlette]

55. great "essay" on Obama

Today will be a crucial day. It will be a day when we will discover if America's racial environment - and the emotions and feelings and anger and fears that it entails - can allow for a black man - with all that entails - to become president. Can a man like Obama both relate and belong to a congregation like Trinity UCC and be inspired by a man like Jeremiah Wright and still reach beyond race to white and Latino and Jewish and Muslim and other Americans who may find the specific racial context as impossible to understand as it is absurd to excuse?

snip

The ease of pure victimology is as phony as the release of complete assimilation. For an intelligent and principled person, the struggle lies in the interstices. What I have come to despise about much of the Republican party is its refusal even to empathize with this difficulty - or, worse, to choose to exploit these struggles for easy, cheap and callow political gain. And as I have grown older and felt the tug of all these identities more strongly, and understood more deeply the immense difficulty of resolving all of them, I can see few role models older than I am - and more, mercifully more, younger than I am.

But I see Obama as a pioneer on this path - a brave and principled pioneer. I would think much, much less of him if he disowned a spiritual guide because of that man's explicable if inexcusable resort to paranoia and racial separatism and anger. And I would think much, much less of Obama if he had never opened himself to this subculture and its fears, hopes and resentments. That he has done all this - while still attempting to reform and explain it - is a remarkable achievement.

(more at the link)

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/