OBAMA DAILY NEWS Monday March-24-2008

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

WELCOME TO THE OBAMA DAILY NEWS THREAD

Monday March-24-2008


Last week, Oregon AFSCME workers voterd overwhelmingly to endorse
Barack Obama for president. Some of the union members were on hand
for Barack's recent visit to the state.

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. :think:

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

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

Get your DU-o-matic codificator (to format your posts) here
Read the Daily News Archives here

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1. U.S. death toll in Iraq reaches 4,000

Senator Hillary Clinton voted for the "Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002".
42% of 50 Democratic Senators voted against it

U.S. death toll in Iraq reaches 4,000

Grim milestone reached when IED kills 4 U.S. soldiers in Baghdad

A U.S. soldier stands guard in the area where a suicide car bomber detonated his load in
Shula, Baghdad, on Sunday. At least seven people died and 14 were wounded in the blast.

BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb killed four U.S. soldiers in Baghdad on Sunday,
the military said, pushing the overall American death toll in the five-year war to at least 4,000.

The grim milestone came on the same day that rockets and mortars pounded the U.S.-protected Green Zone,
underscoring the fragile security situation and the resilience of both Sunni and Shiite extremist groups
despite an overall lull in violence.

A Multi-National Division — Baghdad soldier also was wounded in the roadside bombing,
which struck the soldiers' patrol vehicle about 10 p.m. in southern Baghdad, according to a statement...

...There have been about 15 soldiers wounded for every fatality in Iraq, compared with 2.6 per death
in Vietnam and 2.8 in Korea. The deadliest month for American troops was November 2004, with 137 deaths.
April 2004 was the next with 135 U.S. military deaths. May 2007 saw the third-highest toll.
Last December was the lowest monthly death toll, when 23 soldiers were killed — one less than February 2004.

more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

2. What Hillary voted for: "The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

Iraq Resolution

The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, a law passed by the United States Congress
in October 2002 as Public Law No: 107-243, authorizing the Iraq War.

The resolution cited many factors to justify the use of military force against Iraq:

Iraq's noncompliance with the conditions of the 1991 cease fire, including interference with weapons inspectors.

Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction, and programs to develop such weapons, posed a
"threat to the national security of the United States and international peace and security in the
Persian Gulf region."

Iraq's "brutal repression of its civilian population."

Iraq's "capability and willingness to use weapons of mass destruction against other nations and its own people".

Iraq's hostility towards the United States as demonstrated by the alleged 1993 assassination attempt of former President George H. W. Bush, and firing on coalition aircraft enforcing the no-fly zones following the 1991 Gulf War.

Members of al-Qaeda were "known to be in Iraq."

Iraq's "continu to aid and harbor other international terrorist organizations,"
including anti-United States terrorist organizations.

The efforts by the Congress and the President to fight terrorists, including the September 11th, 2001 terrorists and those who aided or harbored them.

The authorization by the Constitution and the Congress for the President to fight anti-United States terrorism.

Citing the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998, the resolution reiterated that it should be the policy of the United States to remove the Saddam Hussein regime and promote a democratic replacement.

United States Senators Who Voted Against IWR

21 (42%) of 50 Democratic Senators voted against the resolution:

Sens. Akaka (D-HI), Bingaman (D-NM), Boxer (D-CA), Byrd (D-WV), Conrad (D-ND), Corzine (D-NJ),
Dayton (D-MN), Durbin (D-IL), Feingold (D-WI), Graham (D-FL), Inouye (D-HI), Kennedy (D-MA),
Leahy (D-VT), Levin (D-MI), Mikulski (D-MD), Murray (D-WA), Reed (D-RI), Sarbanes (D-MD),
Stabenow (D-MI), Wellstone (D-MN), Wyden (D-OR).

1 of 49 Republican Senators voted against the resolution: Sen. Chafee (R-RI).

The only Independent Senator voted against the resoution: Sen. Jeffords (I-VT)

Full article at wikipedia

[grantcart]

3. "Obama is going to Idaho - what a fool"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5228569

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4. Obama's Pastor And The Democrats' Uncivil War

Obama's Pastor And The Democrats' Uncivil War

If Senator Clinton triumphs on the race issue, African Americans will never forgive her...
Clinton's only hope will be to keep playng the race card to woo (them) back, thinking
they are so easily manipulated that she will get to have it both ways in the time
between the convention and the general election. The cynicim is breathtaking.

Senator Barack Obama’s pastor has caused a lot of upset.
He said in a sermon that the United States is “a country and a culture controlled by rich, white people.”

Well?

Looking back at only the period since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, I considered America’s powerful leaders:
presidents, secretaries of state and treasury, speakers of the House of Representatives,
presidents pro-temp and majority leaders of the Senate, chief justices of the U.S. Supreme Court,
governors of large states (hell, any state), chairmen of the Federal Reserve, CEO’s of the top corporations
and financial institutions, owners of the major media, sports and entertainment franchises, etc.

Mostly men and all white, with the exceptions of Secretaries of State Collin Powell and
Condaleza Rice (a statistical “two-fer”), a governor of Virginia and now one in New York, not elected.

Did I miss anyone? So, why the upset?

As near as I can tell, because the pastor put his point with some passion, even anger, and this has upset who?

Whites.

more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

5. Suicide Pact Doing Its Damage

Suicide Pact Doing Its Damage

The most disturbing poll numbers to come out this week were the
Gallup numbers showing McCain beating both Obama and Clinton by similar margins.
The Republican Rasmussen poll has long been more favorable to McCain.
Nevertheless, his lead has widened over both Dems significantly in recent days.
The hard numbers are not important.
This is a tracking poll that indicates momentum switching to McCain

more at the link

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6. McCain Spiritual Guide Accused Gov't Of Enabling 'Black Genocide'

McCain Spiritual Guide Accused Gov't Of Enabling 'Black Genocide'

Sam Stein HuffPo Mar 21 2008

This past week, Sen. Barack Obama's former pastor Jeremiah Wright has come under
heavy fire in part over comments that suggested the U.S. government had introduced AIDS
into black communities. But it turns out he's not the only religious confidant to a presidential candidate
who thinks the state has targeted black populations with death and disease.

Reverend Rod Parsley of the World Harvest Church of Columbus, Ohio -- whom Sen. John McCain hails as a spiritual adviser -- has suggested on several occasions that the U.S. government was complicit in facilitating black genocide.

In speeches that have gone largely unnoticed, Parsley (who is white) compares Planned Parenthood, the reproductive care and family planning group, to the Klu Klux Klan and Nazis, and describes the American government as enablers of murder for supporting the organization.

"If I were call for the sterilization or the elimination of an entire segment of society, I'd be labeled a racists or a murderer, or at very best a Nazi," says Parsley. "That every single year, millions of our tax dollars are funding a national organization built upon that very goal -- their target: African Americans. That's right, the death toll: nearly fifteen hundred African Americans a day. The shocking truth of black genocide."

more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

7. Bad Blood: Insiders Worry About Reconciliation

Dem insiders say joint Clinton-Obama 'dream' ticket all but impossible

KENNETH R. BAZINET and MICHAEL McAULIFF DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU Sunday, March 23rd 2008

WASHINGTON - Dream ticket? Dream on.

Democratic insiders say Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama once held warm feelings for each other,
but their fierce White House fight is pushing their relationship to the point of no return.

Many say it's already gone so far that any sort of union would come only if they thought the good
of the party absolutely depended on it. Clinton has floated the idea of a dream ticket.
But if Obama wins, the chances of it happening are nearly zero, strategists say.
...Obama insiders say if he loses, he'll graciously work for Clinton. They doubt Clinton will do the same.

...One source independent of the campaigns said Clinton staffers have been known to berate
other senators' aides if they work with Obama. "That's pretty bitter," the source said.
...
more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

8. Frank Rich: The Republican Resurrection - Hillary helps McCain

"It’s too late now, and so the Democratic stars are rapidly aligning for disaster. Mrs. Clinton is no longer trying to overcome Mr. Obama’s lead in the popular vote and among pledged delegates by making bold statements about Iraq or any other issue. Instead of enhancing her own case for the presidency, she’s going to tear him down."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5225906

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

9. The Day Hillary Clinton Knew She Had Lost - HuffPo

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5216090&mesg_id=5216090

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

10. Clinton aides may not stick with her if its going to destroy Obama

some have admiration for Obama
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5226709

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

11. Dowd: Haunting Obama’s Dreams -"unless every circuit is out, she'll regenerate..."

It’s impossible to imagine The Terminator, as a former aide calls her, giving up. Unless every circuit is out, she’ll regenerate enough to claw her way out of the grave, crawl through the Rezko Memorial Lawn and up Obama’s wall, hurl her torso into the house and brutally haunt his dreams
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x347329

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

12. Richardson, Rendell Go Off Message on Fox News Sunday

Richardson, Rendell Go Off Message on Fox News Sunday

Gov. Bill Richardson appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss his recent endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama.
He also took a bit of time to address the feud that has occasionally boiled over between the Clinton and Obama camps.

Specifically, he addressed whether Bill Clinton intended to question Barack Obama's patriotism on Friday,
an exchange which has led one Obama surrogate to compare the former President to Joe McCarthy:

CHRIS WALLACE:
The Obama campaign sent out one of its top surrogates -- that's retired Air Force Gen. Tony McPeak
along side Obama yesterday to accuse Clinton of McCarthyism for questioning Obama's patriotism.
Gov. Richardson, as someone who worked for Bill Clinton, do you really think that's what he was trying to do?

BILL RICHARDSON: I don't believe President Clinton was implying that.

Pennsylvania governor and Hillary backer Ed Rendell also appeared on Fox News.
His comments about Sen. Clinton's path to the nomination had to be walked back after
he said it was "impossible" for her to take the lead in pledged delegates and popular votes
.....more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

13. Girl In 3 AM Commercial Films Ad For Obama

Girl In 3 AM Commercial Films Ad For Obama

Huffington Post | March 21

The actor playing one of the sleeping children in Sen. Clinton's famous "3 AM" commercial
has cut another campaign ad -- this one for Sen. Obama, who she is supporting:

video at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

14. Obama's Pennsylvania Strategy: The Popular Vote

Obama's Pennsylvania Strategy: The Popular Vote

HuffPo March 23, 2008

Obama's camp has all but given up on the delegate count coming out of Pennsylvania,
but they are hoping to hold the race close in the popular vote:

Obama's campaign has given every
indication that he does not expect to win the most delegates when Pennsylvania votes on April 22,
due to an overwhelmingly white, working-class electorate that has already given Hillary Clinton a
sizable lead in some polls. But Obama's team has put to work an intense registration program
designed to achieve a broader strategic goal: limiting the scale of Clinton's win to maintain Obama's national edge in the number of total votes cast in the Democratic primaries.

That contest for total votes, while meaningless in any formal sense, is a key to Clinton's strategy for wooing superdelegates by convincing them that she has the broadest strength among voters.

"In this state right now, his game is about bringing the popular-vote differential down," said Ken Smukler,a Pennsylvania Democratic strategist unaligned with either candidate.
"Since Super Tuesday, this game has never been just about pledged delegates."

Clinton Widens Lead: The hill for the Obama camp is getting steeper, as seen in two polls....

Does Pennsylvania Really Matter? Larry Eichel of the Philadelphia Inquirer doesn't seem to think so......more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

15. Florida KNEW they could lose ALL their delegates if they voted yes to move the primary.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5217293&mesg_id=5217293

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

16. Dissension Arises at Fox News Over Treatment of Obama

Dissension Arises at Fox News Over Treatment of Obama

By BRIAN STELTER Published: March 24, 2008

...On Friday Chris Wallace, host of the weekend political talk show “Fox News Sunday,” took the hosts of “Fox & Friends” to task for their conversations about Senator Barack Obama’s comments about race. His complaint — which created both a tense moment and some must-see TV — was that his colleagues were taking those comments out of context.

On Tuesday, in a speech that dominated the week’s news, Mr. Obama referred his white grandmother, saying that she had felt nervous passing black men on the street. On Thursday, while trying to clarify his remarks, he called his grandmother a “typical white person.”

On Friday, the “Fox & Friends” hosts questioned whether Mr. Obama’s remarks about his grandmother had been offensive — a process that involved playing the “typical white person” quote over and over again — and two of the three hosts seemed to say that they were. Mr. Wallace came on during the third hour of the program to say that the hosts had too often clipped the quote and played it in isolation.

“It seems to me that two hours of Obama-bashing on this ‘typical white person’ remark is somewhat excessive, and frankly I think you’re somewhat distorting what Obama had to say,” Mr. Wallace said during his regularly scheduled segment on the normally lighthearted morning show.

more at the link

Chris Wallace clip on You Tube

Other Fox Mayhem:

Brian Kilmeade, of fox news, walks off set over co-host's obama bashing:
video link

Jack Kemp Fed Up With Hannity's Attacks On Obama, rips Hannity a good one:
video link

And for fun -

Stephen Colbert: The Gospel of John; Playing Rev. Wright
side by side with Jerry Falwell just after 9/11 to see what is offensive. 3/21
video link

[blogslut]

37. Here's a more direct link for the Colbert video

http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=164382

:hi:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

17. Richardson Defends Bill Clinton From McCarthyism Charge — But Blasts Carville

Richardson Defends Bill Clinton From McCarthyism Charge — But Blasts Carville

By Eric Kleefeld - March 23, 2008

During his appearance this morning on Fox News Sunday, Bill Richardson attempted to dial back
the negativity in the Democratic race, rejecting the accusation by retired Air Force Gen. Tony McPeak
that Bill Clinton was engaging in McCarthyism against Barack Obama.

"I don't believe President Clinton was implying that," the former Clinton cabinet member Richardson
said of the allegation that Bill Clinton was questioning Obama's patriotism.

On the other hand, Richardson strongly responded to James Carville's comparison of Richardson
endorsing Obama to Judas Iscariot selling out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

"I'm not going to get in the gutter like that," Richardson said.
"And you know, that's typical of many of the people around Senator Clinton.
They think they have a sense of entitlement to the presidency."

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

18. Mayor: Obama Planning Greensboro Rally ( North Carolina )

Mayor: Obama Planning Greensboro Rally

North Carolina. Mar. 23 10:42 p.m.

Greensboro, N.C. — Officials say Democratic presidential primary candidate Barack Obama
plans a rally in Greensboro, his second day of campaigning in North Carolina in as many weeks.

The News & Record of Greensboro reported Sunday that Mayor Yvonne Johnson said
Obama planned a rally for Wednesday at the Greensboro Coliseum.
The newspaper said Obama's state spokesman Dan Leistikow confirmed the candidate
would be in the state again, but didn't provide details.

Johnson said the rally would be open to the public.

Obama visited Fayetteville and Charlotte last Wednesday.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

19. Crunch Time: John Edwards Needs To Step Up For Barack

Crunch Time: John Edwards Needs To Step Up For Barack

Thomas de Zengotita, HuffPo 03.21.2008

...
I am very nervous. The polls are beginning to show the impact of the Rev Wright sound bites.
They will be endlessly recycled. "God damn America" -- that's pretty much all it will take in western
Pennsylvania and beyond, in the absence of some heavyweight offset.

Obama's speech on race was extraordinary -- but it took more than 15 minutes to deliver.
Will that match the Wright sound bites over the long haul? I fear not.

Hence Big Dog Bill's latest foray into the gutter of innuendo. How bracing, he tells us,
a Hillary/McCain face-off would be -- given that these are two candidates who love their country.
Such slime. You want to take a shower after you watch him.

John Edwards heard that Obama speech on race. He's smart enough and real enough to
understand the depth of promise it represented. He can talk to white working class voters
in western Pennsylvania and beyond. Bill Richardson's endorsement is nice -- but John Edwards could turn the tide.

Ask Elizabeth for advice on this one, John. Time to step up. History is knocking on your door.
more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

20. A conservative embraces Obama

A conservative embraces Obama

Posted by Mark Kleiman at SameFacts March 23, 2008The meta-questions aside, Kmiec sounds the note that will win Obama otherwise conservative votes in November:

Douglas Kmiec:

Our president has involved our nation in a military engagement
without sufficient justification or clear objective. In so doing, he has incurred both tragic loss of life and
extraordinary debt jeopardizing the economy and the well-being of the average American citizen.
In pursuit of these fatally flawed purposes, the office of the presidency, which it was once my privilege
to defend in public office formally, has been distorted beyond its constitutional assignment.

Come to think of it, what could be more conservative, in the primary sense of that term, than defending
the Constitution against usurpation?

link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

21. Heilemann, Like Noonan, Suggests That Clinton Camp May Be Fracturing

Heilemann, Like Noonan, Suggests That Clinton Camp May Be Fracturing March 23, 2008

On today's Meet The Press, Peggy Noonan got ears burning when she suggested that there was some matter of dissension in the ranks of the Clinton campaign, saying that Clinton is "surrounded by people who would adore the chance to be for Obama." She added, mysteriously, "One of her top aides, who kind of privately makes it clear that he knows that he himself is an insurgent character and that it would be wonderful to be a part of Obama's insurgency but that he is backing Ms. Clinton."

...

HEILEMANN: I think that one thing that's happening internally is that some of her top people are starting to say to her, "We won't stick with you. We won't keep working for this campaign if it's going to destroy Barack Obama." She's starting to hear that from her people and she's starting to kind of see it.
MATTHEWS: How do you know that?

HEILEMANN: How do I know that? Reporting.


more here
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/23/heilemann-like-noonan-s_n_92964.html

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

22. Media Ask "The Beginning of the End for Clinton?"

Media Ask "The Beginning of the End for Clinton?" The NPR News Blog 3-21-08


A "drumbeat" has started to sound in the media the past week with the speech on race by Sen. Barack Obama and with the announcement of Bill Richardson's endorsement of Obama - "this could be the beginning of the end for Clinton."

Jim Vandehei and Mike Allen at Politico.com wrote today that "One big fact has largely been lost in the recent coverage of the Democratic presidential race: Hillary Rodham Clinton has virtually no chance of winning."

Former Republican and Democratic strategist (in fact, he worked for the Clintons) Dick Morris said on Fox News yesterday that "First of all, he is the Democratic Party nominee. There is no way that Hillary Clinton is going to either beat him in elected delegates or persuade the superdelegates. He is the Democratic nominee." (Morris did add that he thinks the Wright issue will sink Obama in the fall.)

Jack Cafferty, of the Cafferty File on CNN, used the phrase when talking about the Richardson endorsement and the delegate count. Specifically, Cafferty said Richardson's status as a special delegate gives other special delegates the excuse to come out and support Obama now, despite the Wright controversy.

more here

http://www.npr.org/blogs/news/2008/03/media_asks_is_this_the_beginni_1.html

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

23. Is Hillary Positioning for 2012?

Is Hillary Positioning for 2012 - Cenk Uygur 3.22.08 HuffPo

...There is one possibility as to why Senator Clinton might still be in this race, inflicting heavy damage on the presumptive Democratic nominee. That reason is Hillary 2012.

...In fact, every day that Senator Clinton stays in the race is another day she spends money damaging Senator Obama. And every dollar she spends is a dollar in John McCain's pocket.

It almost makes you ask - does she want him to lose?

If Obama wins, then Senator Clinton couldn't run again until at least 2016 (unless something goes terribly wrong). At which point, she would be almost as old as John McCain is now. If she's ever going to become president, she has this narrow window.

On the other hand, if Senator Obama sustains serious political wounds going into the general election and winds up losing, then Hillary Clinton is sitting pretty in 2012.

more at the link

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/is-hillary-positioning-fo_b_92904.html

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

24. Hillary's Campaign is Broke

Campaign Cash on Hand: "Once the outstanding campaign debt of $8.7 million is factored in, Mrs. Clinton has only $3 million in free cash for the battles ahead — one-tenth of the $31 million the Obama campaign has in primary cash." 3/23

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/us/politics/22funds.html

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

25. Only 4 recommends? how come?

?????

[Barack_America]

26. .

;)

[ShortnFiery]

27. Kick & contribute for this valuable service!

The Real Value Of Obama's Speech
By David S. Broder
Sunday, March 23, 2008; Page B07

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/21/AR2008032102554.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

It compellingly contrasted the ugly history of slavery and segregation and its debilitating effects on black Americans to the inspirational saga of Obama's Kenyan-born father and Kansas-bred mother. It explained how that heritage, plus the opportunities only America could provide, enabled their son to achieve so much so fast.

It included a remarkably sensitive rendering of the frustrations not only of blacks but, equally, of working-class whites who "are anxious about their futures and . . . feel their dreams slipping away." Obama understands their opposition to busing and affirmative action, even as he urges them to look beyond their justifiable resentments and help end the "racial stalemate we've been stuck in for years."

It is rare that a president addresses racial issues with anything like the honesty Obama did. You might have to go back to Lyndon Johnson in his 1965 "we shall overcome" speech, urging Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act, or the same president 40 years ago, after the nation was rocked by riots following the murder of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. In recent decades, few presidents other than Ronald Reagan have been able to lead the nation by the power of their words.

What Obama showed in Philadelphia is the potential similarly to inform, educate and inspire people, if he is allowed to fill "the bully pulpit" of the presidency. If that is what people sense, this will indeed make the Philadelphia speech a historic occasion.

[goclark]

31. Not after my R and praise for your work on this thread

Are you putting it in the Obama Forum too?

[Voice for Peace]

32. LOL K&R

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

28. Have the Democrats Forgotten the Lessons of 2006?

Have the Democrats Forgotten the Lessons of 2006?
The Strange Death of Liberal America
Posted: 24 Mar 2008

....I could go on and cite similar figures for other winning Democratic senate candidates, but if this party is to retain control of Congress and capture the White House in 2008, they had better remember who it was that got them where they are: people of color, the poor, and union members. Without them they would have won none of those 1966 races or they certainly would have been a lot closer.

These are people who probably don’t read blogs, who are trying to get by on what little income they have, who know the playing field has already been tilted so steeply it looks to them like an unclimbable cliff. They are people who maybe long ago should have lost faith in democracy, who should have joined that still growing largest party in America–the nonvoters, but they did not. These are people who the GOP has been trying to intimidate out of voting, who after 2000 and 2004 could have been expected to give up hope. But they did not. In their optimism, in their refusal to quit on democracy is a message we should all take to heart as we ponder the current Presidential contest.

This election is about whether America will help level the playing field that has been tilted away from these people by Republicans who believe the heart of democracy lies in those who live in mansions and ride in chauffeured cars not in those Americans who go to work each day and just try to make ends meet.

As anyone who has followed the closely fought Democratic Presidential contest knows, the triumvirate of voters who were largely responsible for those 2006 victories have had a wedge driven between them. The two candidates have accomplished what the GOP could not–split the coalition into warring camps. In 2008 African Americans who have overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama now openly wonder if they can support Hillary Clinton. Meanwhile the low income and union voters who won Clinton Ohio just as they won it for Sherrod Brown, wonder if they can support Obama.

The biggest question that the Democratic Party faces is whether the winning combination of 2008 can be put back together? If it cannot, the Party might as well concede the White House. Yet Party leaders seem to be ignoring this serious split, naively figuring none of those groups will desert the Democratic candidate for John McCain.

.... more here

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheStrangeDeathOfLiberalAmerica/~3/256851468/have-the-democrats-forgotten-the-lessons-of-2006.html

[quantass]

29. Bloomberg Media: Democratic Nominee (Obama) Will Have Edge in Fall Even If Economy Turns

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5231781

[cooolandrew]

30. Newsweek. From Barry Obama to Barack.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/128633/page/1">CLICK ON LINK HERE...............

[catgirl]

35. I like Barack better than Barry

Many people choose a more sophisticated name in adulthood.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

33. The Clinton Entitlement

The Clinton Entitlement by Bill Burkett March 24, 2008

Oh! My God!!

Sure enough, James Carville was the designated pass rusher and spoke the true Hillary and Bill feeling when he compared Governor Bill Richardson to Judas. But did this mean he compares Hillary to Christ??

...
It is the feeling of betrayal that exposes that raw nerve, however. It is the constant denigrating remarks for Obama while building John McCain up. It is the fact that only once in 24 elections, has Hillary actually congratulated him or acknowledged his victory and her defeat. It is a lack of the common respect and decency toward a fellow candidate.

Once again, the Carville remark is an obvious warning to any other person with Clinton connections to toe the line or be scalded with boiling water within the press. Such reactionary retaliation is something learned in the ruthless power of the White House, and has never been practiced by candidates before they reached that lofty post.

...Here’s the story for the electorate. We now have clear indications that the Clinton campaign approach is that if she is not the Democratic nominee, she will make every effort to scuttle the election of Barack Obama in the General Election.

more at the link

http://www.opednews.com/articles/2/opedne_bill_bur_080324_the_clinton_entitlem.htm

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

34. Truth On CNN! Pundits Defend Obama! Anderson Cooper Is Perplexed - As Usual!

Truth On CNN! Pundits Defend Obama! Anderson Cooper Is Perplexed - As Usual!
by Linda Milazzo March 23. 2008

In this seemingly endless presidential campaign, parsed through the drama and hyperbole of media, it is a rare and welcome occasion when reason and honesty eclipse tantrums and untruths. It is particularly rare when pundits buck the popular trend and speak truth to corporate power. Such an occasion, or mitzvah as some might say, occurred on March 20th (2008) on CNN, when veteran political analyst David Gergen, renowned reporter and author Carl Bernstein, and CNN commentator Roland Martin, shredded the race card and taught a lesson in truth to neophyte Anderson Cooper

..."CALLING ALL WHITE PEOPLE RACISTS"?! How can Cooper imply this from Obama's explanation? Realistically he cannot. But what he can do, and did do, is use the hyperbole of others to divert the furor from himself. The fact is, real journalists don't report hyperbole. Real journalists report fact. Cooper isn't a journalist. He's an adventurer with a prime time slot - and he got caught. Cooper could have easily taken the high road and accepted the cogent explanation by Obama. Instead Cooper dove head first into the gutter and exploited Obama in tabloid terms. As a result, "host" Anderson Cooper was instantly repudiated by seasoned political analyst and CNN Senior Correspondent, David Gergen, who was guesting on Cooper's show. Gergen responded with:

"Anderson, I have to tell after listening to all this and what he further said, I sort of think YOU OUGHT TO GET A GRIP ON REALITY HERE. I mean, he's RIGHT about the fact that certain people have stereotypes in their heads!"

Thank you, David Gergen! What a breath of fresh air! What a remarkable moment when a corporate media pundit FINALLY tells the truth. David Gergen, the adult in the room, refused Cooper's race bait and set the record straight. With corporate media seemingly hell bent on derailing Obama, the importance of Gergen's candor cannot be overlooked. But it didn't stop there. It got even better!! After David Gergen's statement, Cooper turned to renowned journalist Carl Bernstein, a new contributor to CNN. Just like Gergen, Bernstein embraced the veracity of Obama's explanation and echoed Gergen and Obama's contention that stereotypes exist. Bernstein went on to tell Cooper that a higher standard for journalism was in order. Like Gergen, Bernstein deflected the race card and instead spoke the truth. As Bernstein stated:

more (videos and op) at the link

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_linda_mi_080323_truth_on_cnn_21_pundit.htm

[JimGinPA]

36. At Least The DNC Hasn't Forgotten About McSame...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5232708&mesg_id=5232708

[blogslut]

38. Obama Statement on 4,000 American Deaths in Iraq

It is with great sadness that we have reached another grim milestone in Iraq, with at least 4,000 of our finest Americans having been killed. Each death is a tragedy, and we honor every fallen American and send our thoughts and prayers to their families. It is past time to end this war that should never have been waged by bringing our troops home, and finally pushing Iraq's leaders to take responsibility for their future. As we do, we must serve the memory of all who have died as well as they served our country, by providing support for their families, caring for our troops and veterans, and upholding the American values which our fallen heroes exemplified through their service.

link: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGBnMY

[Tatiana]

41. That's a pretty decent statement. It is a "grim milestone." n/t

[me b zola]

39. ...

:kick:

[Tatiana]

40. I think this is a pretty fair (and hard-nosed) critique:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5232176&mesg_id=5232176

Please read. Stuff like this tends to get lost in the GDP meta drama.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

42. Dem. Senatorial Campaign Committee using James Carville to solicit

Wrong Way for DSCC to Get a Donation from me

Today I received an email from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC)featuring James Carville asking for money.

Tell me, just how much money do you think the DSCC will get considering the gutter politics
he is using against Governor Bill Richardson? (After calling him "Judas" and "traitor")

If you think Carville was out of line, and is not representing the democratic party very well, you can go to the DSCC website and post a comment in their blog here at this link: http://www.dscc.org/blog or contact them by email at [e-mail]

Here's the letter/email:

Dear --------,

The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the professional handicappers like Chuck Todd on MSNBC are all saying the same thing. We're going to win Senate seats in November.

As far as I'm concerned, it's about darn time the knucklehead pundits and the chatterheads caught up with what you and I have known all along: We're poised to make history this fall.

But nothing in politics is certain - except the Republican Swift Boat machine. So the hard truth is that our success on Election Day is decided by the preparations we make now.

To drive this point home, the DSCC filmed a special message with Louisiana voters - my favorite kind. Take a look and then do your part to get us closer to our critical fundraising goal. We need to hit our number - $1,103,843 - so we can execute our game plan.

And remember, make a contribution before midnight March 31 and Democratic Senators will match it 2-to-1, effectively tripling your gift.

Click to hear the story from Louisiana and to make a contribution of $50, $75 or more. We need your help to turn this country around.

Too often, we've seen that fifty-one Democratic senators just aren't enough to do everything that needs to be done. That's why we simply have to grab a hold of this opportunity to build an overwhelming, enduring Senate majority and not let go.

The DSCC knows how to win - in Louisiana and everywhere else - but we all need to do our part today so they have everything they need to build campaigns that can't be stopped by anything the Republicans throw at us.

Watch the video and you'll see from real Louisianians why it's all so important.

Sincerely,


James Carville

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

43. BREAKING: No One's Passport is Safe from the State Department!

March 21 at 4:39PM

BREAKING: No One's Passport is Safe from the State Department!

POSTED BY: TheInDecider

This story is breaking so hard, we're going to be sweeping it up for days. Ready?
An embarrassed State Department admitted today that the passport files of all three presidential candidates -- Sens. John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton -- have been breached by its employees.

Listen, I'm no conspiracy theorist. And because I am a patriotic American who does not want the terrorists to win, I have come to believe that it's okay if someone wants to compromise my privacy for a greater good as defined by a guy in a government office somewhere. But this is starting to seem scandalous, especially since the files did contain the candidates' Social Security numbers.

The crackdown in the State Department must be escalating now...
McCormack said that three employees, who were not identified, had been caught peeking at the candidates' files. All three employees worked for a private company hired by the State Department.

Two of the workers were dismissed. The third employee not only looked at Obama's file, but also hacked into McCain's file. That person has been disciplined, but not fired, McCormack said.
That reminds me of this one time when I stole the petty cash and used it to pay for two kegs, three exotic dancers, and one very cooperative midget. It was quite a party, once my boss left for the night! Sure, she yelled at me the next day, but check it out -- I'm still here.

This is what I love most about America: everyone understands the idea of the greater good.

http://www.indecision2008.com/blog.jhtml?c=v&m=104867

[Scurrilous]

44. Kick

:kick:

[JimGinPA]

45. K&R

[grantcart]

46. Clinton campaign use of Judas: Who are the real targets?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5241122