Re: Are you afraid?

Obama's response to Hillary's "Children" ad:



why have children become such a political football?

Are you afraid?

Clinton's latest ad goes right to the heart of what is at stake in this election - the safety of [your] children.

The Hillary Conundrum

Part 1 of 3

Part 2 of 3



Part 3 of 3

Open Letter from Barack Obama to the LGBT Community

[photo cred: towleroad]

Open Letter from Barack Obama to the LGBT community

I'm running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all – a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It's wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans.

Equality is a moral imperative. That's why throughout my career, I have fought to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans. In Illinois, I co-sponsored a fully inclusive bill that prohibited discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, extending protection to the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation. In the U.S. Senate, I have co-sponsored bills that would equalize tax treatment for same-sex couples and provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. And as president, I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples — whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.

The next president must also address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When it comes to prevention, we do not have to choose between values and science. While abstinence education should be part of any strategy, we also need to use common sense. We should have age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception. We should pass the JUSTICE Act to combat infection within our prison population. And we should lift the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. In addition, local governments can protect public health by distributing contraceptives.

We also need a president who's willing to confront the stigma – too often tied to homophobia – that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. I confronted this stigma directly in a speech to evangelicals at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, and will continue to speak out as president. That is where I stand on the major issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win broad support for those positions. And winning broad support will require stepping outside our comfort zone. If we want to repeal DOMA, repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and implement fully inclusive laws outlawing hate crimes and discrimination in the workplace, we need to bring the message of LGBT equality to skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones – and that's what I've done throughout my career. I brought this message of inclusiveness to all of America in my keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention. I talked about the need to fight homophobia when I announced my candidacy for President, and I have been talking about LGBT equality to a number of groups during this campaign – from local LGBT activists to rural farmers to parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached.

Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary.

Americans are yearning for leadership that can empower us to reach for what we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that can appeal to the best parts of the human spirit. Join with me, and I will provide that leadership. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.

Clinton's Farrakhan moment

[Andrew Sullivan] Clinton dealt with her own Farrakhan moment today.

Angry White Man

This guy was a douche-bag - but McCain showed nothing but class in denouncing this moron. Kudos to McCain.

Saturday Night Live

Senator Clinton made reference to this SNL bit in the debate tonight when she made her case for media bias, so here it is:



"Getting blown out by Senator Obama in Maryland has been a dream of mine since childhood."

Chris Dodd to Endorse Obama

ohhh yeeaaaa.

Could it be?

Obama up in national polls, by alot?

"B*tches get stuff done!"

Although I digress, this made me giggle. Tina Fey makes me laugh Enjoy:



OBAMA '08!

GOP Noise Machine

[photo cred: AP]

The head of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, gave Barack Obama an unexpected and unwelcome nod at the NOI's annual "Saviours' Day" celebration in Chicago. Farrakhan, who has been accused of homophobia and anti-semitism, said this in reference to Obama:

"This young man is the hope of the entire world that America will change and be made better.... This young man is capturing audiences of black and brown and red and yellow. If you look at Barack Obama's audiences and look at the effect of his words, those people are being transformed."

"A black man with a white mother became a savior to us [referring to NOI's founder Wallace Fard Muhammad].... A black man with a white mother could turn out to be one who can lift America from her fall."

The Obama campaign released a statement which read "Senator Obama has been clear in his objections to Minister Farrakhan's past pronouncements and has not solicited the minister's support." Obama himself has publicly decried Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam as radical and intolerant.

The Nation of Islam is classified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an active US hate group.

Why do I get the feeling the fear-mongering GOP noise machine will use this as ammunition against Senator Obama in concert with those Muslim rumors. Aye Dios Mio!

"Clintonite Stabs Obama Supporter"

[photo cred: thesmokinggun]

Can you say "divided Democratic Party"??

...not to mention serious in-law relations problems.

She's Gone Crazy

[photo cred: CNN]

take a look at this!

“The sky will open, the light will come down”

Sounds like HRC’s plan to win the nomination.

Good Laugh

lol...

Dean Scream v. 2.0?

Hillary Clinton has lost it. This video reeks of hypo-criticism and desperation. Did Barack Obama scream his head off on CNN like a lunatic when Clinton attacked him countless times with campaign mailings, radio and television ads in WI, SC and other states? Did he publicly decry her husband's shameless injection of race in SC? Did he go off on her when she sent those mailings out which insinuated that he wasn't completely pro-choice? NO

Since when do Democrats shamelessly inject race into a campaign in an attempt deride their opponent? Since when do Democrats send out mailings distorting their opponents records on abortion, health-care? Since when do Democrats accuse their opponent of plagiarizing their national campaign co-chair? Since when do Democrats commission heinous push-polls? Since when do Democrats exhibit win-at-all cost Rovian tactics? Give Me a Break.

Ironically, it seems as if she's doing the attacking here.

If anyone is guilty of using Rovain tactics in this election cycle, it's HER!

Looks like Hil can dish it but she can't take it.

Hillary just needs to toughen up and realize that she isn't as inevitable as she oh-so arrogantly thought.

She's starting to crack. This marks the beginning of the end for her - the fall of the house of Clinton.

Hillary borrows a few lines.

'nuff said...

Nice

For anyone who thought Obama lacked substance:

Major Earthquake in Indonesia

[Developing Story] A 7.5 earthquake struck near the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Not far from the epicenter of the infamous quake which triggered a tsunami in late 2004

Aloha Obama

Residents of Hawai'i chime in to cement Sen. Obama's 10 consecutive wins!

Obama Wins Wisconsin

(photo cred: The Times)

Obama won the Wisconsin primary tonight, making it 9 consecutive wins for Obama over rival Hillary Clinton. We're still waiting on the results from Hawaii.

Obama - 58%
Clinton - 41%

It's wasn't a caucus state or a state with a heavy Af-Am electorate/high %age of affluent liberals - and Obama still carried it. Not like there was any doubt, just emphasizing that this was Hillary's "no excuses" state...and she lost by 17 percentage points.

"Houston, I think we've achieved lift-off here"


Hell Yes, We Can!

Teaser

Wisconsin Exit Polls - according to Mike Allen

could it be?

Castro Resigns!

After 49 years - the longest ruler in the western hemisphere - Fidel Castro stepped down from the Cuban Presidency today!

Movin' on up in TX

The lastest CNN/ORC poll has Clinton (50) and Obama (48) at a near-statistical tie.

Check out this upward trend:

(photo cred: pollster.com)

We're looking pretty good in the Lone Star State with two weeks to go until the primary and early voting starting tomorrow. Given those unconventional delegate allocation schemes in Texas, if Barack comes this close to Hillary in the primary, her chances of closing the delegate gap are nil.

Voting Anomaly in NY

(photo cred: viewimages)

According to the NY Times, Obama got zero votes in 80 New York election districts, including Harlem's 94th district - a disproportionally African-American electorate.

Those margins are particularly Stalin-esque.

Curious. We'll see what the results of this investigation yield.

Serious Inquiries Only

(photo cred: Google Maps)

[Towleroad] I wasn't aware that work-out clothes had to be "family-friendly."

Apparently in Elk Grove they do.

Bush 41 backs McCain

(photo cred: LA Times)

McCain gets more GOP establishment support.

A sign of party unity? hmmm

Obama, Japan catches Obama-mania

(photo cred: AP)

Even though Obama has never visited this west coast port-town half a world away from his landmark US presidential campaign, the residents of Obama, Japan have caught Obama-mania.

Confectionery treats sporting Obama's likeness have sprung up in the bakeries, headbands are in the works and signs (see ab0ve) grace hotel lobbies in the city.

"Obama gives good speeches and has a good voice, so I want him to do well. And, of course, we share the same name," said Seiji Fujiwara, a hotel executive and leader of a local support group established earlier this month for the Illinois senator.

City officials even send the Illinois Senator care packages complete with a good luck doll with the Japanese characters for "victory" emblazoned across it's chest. Indeed, officials in Obama (Japanese for "Little Beach") have formed support groups and, if Obama wins the White House, plan on sending a delegation to visit him in the Oval Office. They also hope it will raise the profile of their city and increase tourism.

This story is really cute. It reminds me of Kenyans who have named a beer in his honor.

Talk about a president who can restore our image abroad.

Plagiarism???

*GASP* (feigning shock)

Could it be that Barack Obama is plagiarizing speeches from Gov. Deval Patrick (MA)???

Not so fast!

Gov. Patrick did an interview with the New York Times in which he made clear that he explicitly gave Obama permission to adapt his effective "Just Words" speech - as the two are close friends:

In a telephone interview on Sunday, Mr. Patrick said that he and Mr. Obama first talked about the attacks from their respective rivals last summer, when Mrs. Clinton was raising questions about Mr. Obama’s experience, and that they discussed them again last week.

Both men had anticipated that Mr. Obama’s rhetorical strength would provide a point of criticism. Mr. Patrick said he told Mr. Obama that he should respond to the criticism, and he shared language from his campaign with Mr. Obama’s speechwriters.

Mr. Patrick said he did not believe Mr. Obama should give him credit.

“Who knows who I am? The point is more important than whose argument it is,” said Mr. Patrick, who telephoned The New York Times at the request of the Obama campaign. “It’s a transcendent argument.”

Clinton has been "plagiarizing" recently too, saying "fired up and ready to go" as her supporters chant "Yes, she can."

The Clinton camp is really grasping at straws with this one. As if screaming "Why won't you debate me in WI (even though I'm not even in the state and we're debating twice before March 4 anyway)?" wasn't enough now they're insinuating that Obama's plagiarizing his speeches. Give Me A Break.

NO, YOU CAN'T!

Could this be the GOP attack machine calibrating it's ugly head?

or maybe a re-incarnation of john.he.is?



"we are not as divided as our portfolios suggest!"

[tehehehe]

Obama secretly visits Edwards

(photo cred: WTVD-ABC11)

After canceling their initial rendezvous, Barack Obama yesterday left his press entourage behind to fly to Chapel Hill, NC to visit John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth. Both Barack Obama and rival Hillary Clinton have been vying for an Edwards endorsement since the former Senator dropped out of the race late last month - and the 26 delegates which reportedly come with it.

I was almost sure that when Edwards dropped out last month he was going to endorse Obama, I thought that was the major reason he opted to leave the race at such an odd time. I guess he was more conflicted than many people thought. My gut still tells me he will eventually endorse Obama - mostly because if he was going to endorse Hillary he would have done it already. We shall see.

Guide to Understanding the Primaries

(photo cred: unknown)

Since it is increasingly difficult to follow exactly how the Democratic nomination for President will be determined, perhaps the Clinton campaign should provide this handy guide to what should count and what should not in the primary process - based on their recent spinning.

Things that DON’T count:

- Caucus states. These votes are driven by charisma-crazed voters who cannot be trusted to make sound decisions.

- States with a high percentage of African-American voters. They are “proud” of my opponent and are voting just based on race.

- States with a high percentage of well-educated voters. George H. W. Bush was the “Education President” after all.

- Red states. We’re going to lose them anyway, so their Democrats don’t count in America. (Exception: Texas counts if I win. If not, it didn't count.)

- Small states. This is a big country. Only big states matter in the United States.

- Super delegates who vote in line with their state’s primary results.

Things that DO count:

- States that officially don’t count. If my opponent was so naïve as to follow the DNC rules and withdraw his name from the Michigan ballot, and to not campaign in Florida while I attended highly publicized “fund-raisers” the day before the primary, and a highly pre-announced “victory” celebration, he is not ready on day-one to be President. Candidates ready to lead know that Presidents make their own rules (see: Current Administration).

- States with a high percentage of Latino voters. They would never vote for me based just on the race of my opponent.

- States with a high percentage of lower-income white voters. PLEASE no one tell them that my opponent grew up in a household to a single mom on food stamps, while I just loaned my campaign $5 million. It would cut into my base.

- Blue states. We democrats are going to win them anyway, so it doesn't matter who wins the primary. (oops - I didn't mean to say that)

- Big states. Except those where my opponent lives, or has ever lived.

- Super delegates who vote in fear of my wrath should I win.

Now, doesn’t that make selecting our nominee much simpler?

*[should be] provided courtesy of the Clinton campaign*

First

I thought I'd take this opportunity to "de-virginize" my blog.

It's with enthusiasm that I join the blogosphere. Yay!