BS: Popular Views on Obama

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Riginslinger
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 11:12 AM

I did listen to Obama's economic speech, and while I didn't agree with everything, I thought it was a whole lot better than McCain's.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 11:33 AM

March 28, 2008 9:46 AM

Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vermont, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a high-profile supporter of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, has called for Obama's opponent to drop out of the race.

In an interview on Vermont Public Radio, said "There is no way that Senator Clinton is going to win enough delegates to get the nomination. She ought to withdraw and she ought to be backing Senator Obama. Now, obviously that's a decision that only she can make frankly I feel that she would have a tremendous career in the Senate."

Leahy said he was fretting about the impact of the protracted Democratic race.

"I am very concerned," he said. "John McCain, who has been making one gaffe after another, is getting a free ride on it because Senator Obama and Senator Clinton have to fight with each other. I think that her criticism is hurting him more than anything John McCain has said. I think that's unfortunate."

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 12:48 PM

Can I ask you all something?

The gist Obama's Economic speech is that the current crisis was caused by the lenders screwing up and that the way to overcome this in future is sensible regulation tuned to the modern concerns.

How is this radical?
How is this right wing?
How is this not the very definition of conservatism?

Conservatism is not giving the banks a license to run amok, defraud people, and make bad loans.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 01:46 PM

"Kudos to On Politics reader Kavi Grace, a New York lawyer and supporter of Sen. Barack Obama who blogs on his own time at Why We Need Obama.

He left a message overnight at my USATODAY.com community profile, pointing to a post he had written headlined "Clinton campaign lies about Obama donations."

That's a more accusatory headline than we would have written, but Kavi's findings are worth noting.

He saw our post yesterday that noted the response from Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign to the economic address that Obama delivered Thursday. In this memo, the Clinton team said that Obama "has taken more money from the top 10 subprime loans than BOTH Senator Clinton and Senator McCain." The memo cited CQ.com as its source.

Kavi, though, sifted through public records and figured out that if you compare apples to apples -- particularly the money campaigns have gotten from employees of subprime mortgage companies, which is what the Obama numbers were largely based on -- it looks like Clinton has taken in $1.3 million to Obama's $1.2 million.

Lo and behold, The Wall Street Journal comes to the same conclusion this morning.

The Journal writes that:

Clinton officials said they didn't mean to say that their candidate was free of Wall Street ties. The point of the email, they said, was to counter (Obama strategist David) Plouffe's suggestion that Sen. Clinton was less trustworthy on the issue than Sen. Obama.

"The Obama campaign's attack implied that Senator Obama had no relationship with these lenders so we pointed out the hypocrisy of their attack," said (campaign spokesman Phil) Singer in an e-mail response to questions.

We reached Kavi by telephone this morning to verify his identity and thank him for sending along his findings. He said he's not one of those Democrats who would vote for Sen. John McCain if Clinton becomes the party's nominee, but has become disenchanted with Clinton over time.

His law firm, DLA Piper, includes among its lawyers Democratic heavyweights such as former Senate majority leader George Mitchell and former House majority leader Richard Gephardt."

From USA Today Blogs.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 01:48 PM

Report from The Guardian:

"The chairman of the Democratic National Committee today tried to impose a deadline on the divisive nomination contest, urging the party's superdelegates to make their choice between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama by July 1.

In a series of interviews today, Howard Dean urged the 800 Democratic elected and party officials who will ultimately decide between Clinton and Obama to avoid a knockdown fight at the party convention and make their decision within weeks of the last primary.

"There is no point in waiting," Dean told the Associated Press.

The proposal, which appears to have support from Democratic party elders, comes amid fears that the negative tone of the campaign - as well as the prospect of an ugly battle at the party's convention in August - could be ruinous for the Democrats' chances against John McCain in next November's presidential elections.

While Democrats have been focused on the epic struggle between Clinton and Obama, McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, has been getting ready for the presidential campaign.

He launched his first television ad in New Mexico yesterday, and has been touring the country giving policy addresses.

That has the Democratic leadership worried about allowing McCain to build an early advantage.

"I think it would be nice to have this all done by July 1. If we can do it sooner than that, that's all the better," Dean told ABC television. "We don't want this to degenerate into a big fight at the convention."

Dean said he was floating the proposal after consulting with senior Democratic leaders including Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, Jesse Jackson and John Edwards, the one-time rival to Clinton and Obama.

Dean has also held discussions with Clinton and Obama.

About 450 of the 800 super delegates have already supported a candidate, leaving about 350 still undecided. With the primary season set to end on June 3 when Puerto Rico holds its primary, Dean argued there was no compelling reason to leave the Democratic nominee undecided throughout the summer.

Although Clinton initially led among superdelegates, Obama has been quickly catching up as the contest wears on. Obama picked up yet an important superdelegate today with an endorsement from senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania.

He got an additional psychological boost with a call from Patrick Leahy, a senator from Vermont, for Clinton to get out of the race. "There is no way that Senator Clinton is going to win enough delegates to get the nomination. She ought to withdraw and she ought to be backing Senator Obama," Leahy told Vermont public radio.

The support from Casey, an anti-abortion and anti-gun control Democrat popular among working-class male voters, could help Obama narrow Clinton's double-digit lead in the state.

"I believe in my heart that there is one person who's uniquely qualified to lead us in that new direction and that is Barack Obama," Casey told a rally in Pittsburgh yesterday. "

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 01:51 PM

COndi Rice chimes in:

"Condoleezza Rice today entered the race debate that has been a simmering undercurrent of the presidential campaign when she said it had been "important" for Barack Obama to give his landmark speech on race and defended the patriotism of African Americans.

The US secretary of state also decried the "birth defect" of slavery that she said has left Americans struggling to confront racism.

"Africans and Europeans came here and founded this country together - Europeans by choice and Africans in chains," Rice told the Washington Times. "That's not a very pretty reality of our founding."

Rice, the second African-American and second female in US history to lead the state department, grew up in Alabama at the height of the civil rights movement in America. One of her childhood playmates was killed in an infamous 1963 church bombing committed by white supremacists, whom Rice has called "terrorists".

She declined to comment directly on the presidential campaign in the Times interview, saying only that it was "important" that Obama "gave it for a whole host of reasons", but strongly defended the patriotism of African Americans. ....

"What I would like understood as a black American is that black Americans loved and had faith in this country even when this country didn't love and have faith in them - and that's our legacy," Rice said."

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 01:53 PM

And a young voter writes to Newsday:

"As Hillary Rodham Clinton's kitchen sink slowly erodes Obamania, I've taken quite a bit of flak for sticking by my candidate. Surely, I hear, I should "come around" and realize that Clinton, a one-and-change-term senator and former first lady, is the logical and responsible choice for the Democratic presidential nomination in the fall. I've had my fun, but now it's time to settle down and return to reality.

I turned 18 in January, and thus represent the lowest boundary of the youth vote, that elusive demographic Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer love to analyze to death. In my 10 or so years of cultural cognizance, I've seen two presidents lie to their countrymen, our current president sling disgustingly false mud at two decorated war veterans who dared run against him, and our governor bring shame to his office and the state. I've seen a woman from Arkansas move to New York 13 months before the senatorial election and then claim to represent my interests.

I shouldn't believe in politics. I shouldn't even care about this election. But Barack Obama made me care, gave me something to believe in when no other politician in our generation even came close. I don't care if he's only been in the Senate for about four years, and I don't care he's never been married to a two-term president. George W. Bush had experience. Dick Cheney had experience. Eliot Spitzer had experience. That argument doesn't work in these times.

It sickens me that Clinton has the gall to ridicule those who choose to believe in Obama, who offers nothing but hope. No baggage, no mudslinging, just the hope that we can and will do better for this country. Here's hoping voters see through the political smoke screens and put Clinton back in her place. "

Not bad for a l'il sprout...


A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 05:27 PM

Sen. Barack Obama's lead over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in Gallup's daily national "tracking poll" grew to 8 percentage points today -- putting it just outside the survey's margin of error.

Gallup says Obama has a 50%-42% advantage over his rival for the Democratic presidential nomination. Yesterday, he held a 48%-44% lead.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 06:31 PM

A charming essay on the robustness of core democracy, and why folks should tough the process out through thick and thin.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 07:55 PM

A real crack up: Gay for Obama!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 09:06 PM

Did anyone besides me watch The View this morning? I normally do not see it but last night they promoted Senator Obama's appearance on it so I turned on the television.

As usual he was good. What I really truly like about him is that he stops to think before he replies. Never comes across as canned.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 09:21 PM

he stops to think before he replies


Exactly what differentiates him from the pushbutton relics of past hogwashery.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 09:44 PM

"Senator Bob Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania" endorsement of Obama is a major step, along with his willingness to campaign with him in Pennsylvania.

I'm curious who we think the 100,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania who have re-registered as Democrats will be voting for in the primary. I haven't a clue but find it interesting.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 09:21 AM

Casey's endorsement talk includes the story of his four daughters finding out about Barack Obama.


And here's a recap of his performance on "The View".

A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 05:53 PM

Sen. Barack Obama has raised twice as much money as Sen. Hillary Clinton from donors who had previously been bankrolling John Edwards's presidential bid, according to a new analysis by CQ MoneyLine of contributions given in February, the first full month after Edwards dropped out of the running.

The analysis found that 287 former Edwards contributors donated to $200,000 to Obama last month. Clinton received contributions from 138 former Edwards backers, giving her $114,000 from the group.
Both camps aggressively pursued the Edwards crowd in the days before Edwards formally dropped from the campaign.

Mitchell Berger, a Florida lawyer who migrated from Edwards to Obama, said in an interview with The Trail yesterday that he went with Obama because he "appeals to the better angels." Berger said he is being joined by a number of former Edwards backers to host an April 9 Florida fundraiser for Obama that will be headlined by the candidate's wife, Michelle Obama.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Riginslinger
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 08:57 PM

I'm not at all sure that Michelle is an asset, but does anyone have any idea what John Edwards is up to in all of this?

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 10:04 PM

Michelle is bright, articulate and impassioned. The point where she became less of an asset is when what she said was twisted and fed into the D&D machine. Same stunt they pulled on Dean. Destroy the original, feed the distortion and blow on the flames. Sigh.

If people would try understanding instead of reacting, they might grow older happier.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 10:29 PM

"Obama has social engineering plans as ambitious, in their own way, as the Bush administrationÕs failed social engineering plans to change the psyche of America and the Middle East.

ÒI think the president needs to use the bully pulpit to change our culture,Ó he said Thursday, talking energy at a $1,000-a-plate fund-raiser in Manhattan. ÒWe are a wasteful culture. ItÕs always been that way because of our history. We do everything big.Ó

He wants to make government ÒcoolÓ again. He wants to banish the red-blue culture of conflict on TV and in Washington. And he wants to make the country healthier, thinner and smarter. ÒI want our students learning art and music and science and poetry,Ó he says, in a crowd-pleasing line.

Using his preacher voice, he urged a black audience in Beaumont, Tex., to be better parents, to put away chips and cold Popeyes for breakfast, and to turn off the TV and video games. ÒBuy a little desk or put that child at the kitchen table,Ó he instructed. ÒWatch them do their homework.Ó..."

Maureen Dowd, writing in the NY Times. The rest of the essay is very good reading, acerbic and sharp.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 10:59 PM

The Washington Times citing a Pew Research study:

"Mrs. Clinton is more "phony" and less inspiring than Mr. Obama, according to respondents. Twice as many Democrats think Mrs. Clinton lacks sincerity: 28 percent said she was a phony, compared with 14 percent who said the same about Mr. Obama.

"Democratic voters are considerably more likely to attribute positive traits to Obama than to Clinton, while negative traits are more often associated with Clinton," the analysis said.

"Eight in ten Democratic voters say Barack Obama is down to earth (82 percent), inspiring (82 percent) and honest (80 percent). By comparison, about two-thirds see Hillary Clinton as inspiring (66 percent) and honest (65 percent) and slightly fewer say she is down to earth (62 percent)."

But the New York Democrat has the upper hand in the flag-waving department over her Illinois rival.

"When it comes to being seen as patriotic, however, Clinton has a slight edge over her opponent; 86 percent say she is patriotic, while 78 percent say that about Obama," it said.

There are divides within the party in race and gender, though."

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 12:21 AM

Some fine, ice-cold Kool Aid for my friends. :>)

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 12:29 PM

Et tu, Fox?

"The law school where Barack Obama once taught is coming to his defense after Hillary ClintonÕs campaign accused him of embellishing his record at the university and falsely claiming he was a law professor.

The University of Chicago Law School posted a brief explanation on its Web site, saying Obama served as a ÒprofessorÓ there, first as a lecturer from 1992 to 1996, and then as a Òsenior lecturerÓ from 1996 to 2004, Òduring which time he taught three courses per year.Ó

Though the Clinton campaign argued that lecturers arenÕt the same as professors since they donÕt have tenure, the law school differed.

ÒSenior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although not full-time or tenure-track,Ó the university statement said.

The school piped up after ClintonÕs campaign circulated a statement Tuesday detailing what it alleged was a pattern of Obama embellishments and mis-statements. The campaign memo came as Clinton was facing sharp criticism that she embellished when she said she landed under sniper fire during a goodwill trip to Bosnia in 1996."

---

This is an embarrassing rebuttal, which leaves the HRC clan with egg on their face for not understanding the meaning of the word "professor". IT shows they are just a little too desparate to find some button--any button! -- to push, and are overreaching in consequence.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 12:31 PM

Hmmm--what pollster d'you read?

The Sun Times of Chicago:


Because Pittsburghers Ñ in all shades Ñ came out en masse, filling up the auditorium at the Soldiers Military Museum where his more-than-40-minute speech was interrupted repeatedly with raucous shouts, whistles, clapping and stomping.
Children too young to see over the heads of standing adults stood on the seats and clapped as if they understood every word.

ÔHalf hour too longÕ

Seith Reighard, a 20-year-old microbiology major at Pittsburgh University, sat with a row of other young white males as they waited for Obama to appear.

ÒI think Obama is the most genuine politician I have seen in a long time,Ó Reighard said. ÓMy generation had lost our faith in politicians to actually do something, and finally I see a guy come along who will. It doesnÕt matter, the color of his skin.

ÒI am here because I feel for once my views will be heard.Ó

National polls put Obama behind by double digits in Pennsylvania, but given the enthusiastic turnout (all of the free tickets were taken), you couldnÕt tell heÕs an underdog in the state."

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 12:34 PM

(Full disclosure: This excerpt is from a campaign press release):

"With more than 56% of the results tallied from today's 284 Democratic district conventions across Texas, Senator Barack Obama currently is projected to earn a 38-29 pledged delegate win in the Texas caucuses, exactly as projected on the day after the March 4th precinct caucuses.

The nine delegate margin in the caucuses means Obama will gain a net margin of five pledged delegates from Texas because Senator Clinton narrowly won the Texas primary by only four delegates, 65-61.

"Despite the Clinton campaign's widespread attempts to prevent many Texans from participating in their district convention, the voters of Texas confirmed Senator Obama's important delegate win in the Lone Star State," said Obama spokesman Josh Earnest. "Today's record-shattering turnout sends a clear message that the American people are ready for change in Washington and new leadership in the White House that will stand up for working families.""

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Riginslinger
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 01:46 PM

If the Democrats don't get rid of these caucuses, they never will get a candidate elected president.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 04:18 PM

Rig:

I am sorry, pal, but they are bound for a nomination by the end of Spring, and a battle royale for the White House by November.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Riginslinger
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 08:35 PM

Yes, I can see they are going to nominate somebody, but without a total economic collapse, I don't see that person beating McCain in November.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 10:44 PM

Maybe you do not, Rig; but you may have a cataract in your inner eye. I can see it plainly.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 10:48 PM

Baltimore Sun:

Gallup: Obama lead over Clinton largest this year

by Mike Dorning

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Barack Obama now has a 10-percentage point lead over Hillary Clinton in a national tracking poll conducted by Gallup, the largest lead he has posted in the poll this year.

Gallup reported Obama now leads among Democrats 52 percent against 42 percent for Hillary Clinton, the third day in a row he has held a statistically significant lead against Clinton in the poll.

The movement in the national poll follows a week in which Clinton was widely lampooned for exaggerated accounts she gave of a visit to Bosnia in which she claimed she ran for cover under sniper fire. After the pilot of her plane and reporters who were on the trip with her disputed the account, she conceded she her account was a "mistake" and chalked the incident up to campaign-trail fatigure. But the exaggeration rapidly became fodder for late-night comics and video spoofs on the Internet.

Allies of Barack Obama, most notably Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), also last week promoted arguments that Clinton now has little chance of winning the Democratic nomination and that a prolonged Democratic primary would damage the eventual nominee.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 10:52 PM

Obama draws thousands to rally on Penn State lawn, says he will win Democratic nomination

The Associated PressPublished: March 31, 2008


UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.: Shivering in blankets of Penn State's colors, some 20,000 people filled a campus lawn Sunday to hear Barack Obama say he can win the Democratic nomination even if rival Hillary Rodham Clinton stays in the race.

Supporters stood in long lines for hours to hear Obama ahead of the April 22 Pennsylvania primary.

On a sunny day with temperatures in the low 40's, most bundled up for the type of large-scale rally that has become the candidate's trademark.

"It's been a while, and it's a little cold, but we really like Barack. He's inspiring," said 19-year-old Caitlin McDonnell, wrapped in a blue Nittany Lions blanket.

Pennsylvania's primary is the next contest in the Obama-Clinton fight for the Democratic presidential nomination. The Keystone State, which will allocate 158 delegates, is the biggest single delegate prize remaining in the Democratic primaries.


Some Democrats, particularly Obama's supporters, have voiced concern that the hard-fought, drawn-out race is already hurting the party's chances to win in November.

The Illinois senator told the crowd not to worry.

"As this primary has gone on a little bit long, there have been people who've been voicing some frustration," Obama said.

"I want everybody to understand that this has been a great contest, great for America. It's engaged and involved people like never before. I think it's terrific that Senator Clinton's supporters have been as passionate as my supporters have been because that makes the people invested and engaged in this process, and I am absolutely confident that when this primary season is over Democrats will be united."

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 10:54 PM

Obama-a unique moment in American history

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Riginslinger
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 10:59 PM

It's funny he's at Penn State. He already has those voters. Hillary's voters are in the working class neighborhoods of Pittsburgh

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 12:34 AM

>>It's funny he's at Penn State. He already has those voters. Hillary's voters are in the working class neighborhoods of Pittsburgh<<

Doesn't conventional wisdom say that she already has those?

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Riginslinger
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 08:37 AM

It does, Jack, but I thought he was trying to improve his numbers.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 10:59 AM

I thought he was trying to get enough delegates out of Pennsylvania so that Hillary's lead will be small enough so that he can make it all back in North Carolina.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 11:09 AM

While Sen. Hillary Clinton promised over the weekend to fight for the nomination all the way to the convention, the Wall Street Journal reports on its front page this morning that "slowly but steadily," a "string of Democratic Party figures is taking" Sen. Barack Obama's "side in the presidential nominating race and raising the pressure on Hillary Clinton to give up." North Carolina's seven Democratic House members "are poised to endorse...Obama as a group -- just one has so far -- before that state's May 6 primary, several Democrats say."

Klobuchar Endorses Obama The AP reports Obama picked up the endorsement of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) last night, "giving him another superdelegate supporter. In a statement provided to the Associated Press, Klobuchar said Obama 'has inspired an enthusiasm and idealism that we have not seen in this country in a long time.'" Obama handily defeated Clinton in Minnesota's primary last month, which Klobuchar said contributed to her decision to endorse Obama
...

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 11:20 AM

Dallas Morning News:

"...Obama won 2,235 delegates to the state convention, or 60 percent, in the Saturday caucuses, compared with 1,511 delegates, or 40 percent, for Clinton, according to an ongoing count Sunday by The Associated Press. There were still about 3,500 others to be counted.

Obama's campaign predicted he would win the overall delegate race in Texas because of caucus support, even though Clinton narrowly won the popular vote in primary balloting March 4.

The caucus delegates ultimately will be winnowed and divvied up in June.

Clinton's campaign trumpeted its caucus successes in predominantly Hispanic regions along the Texas-Mexico border and elsewhere in South Texas and said it was too early to tell the Texas outcome.

"Hillary's delegates came out in full force," said Clinton spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod. "The Obama campaign may want to take a step back and wait until the official caucus results come in before declaring victory."

Obama's camp accused Clinton's of aggressively pushing to challenge and disqualify Obama delegates based on technicalities.

"Despite the Clinton campaign's widespread attempts to prevent many Texans from participating in their district convention, the voters of Texas confirmed Senator Obama's important delegate win in the Lone Star State," said Obama spokesman Josh Earnest.

As he did in earlier precinct caucusing, Obama scored some lopsided victories in senate district caucuses Saturday in Houston, Dallas and Austin. Those were among the largest and most delegate-rich, often lasting into the night. ..."

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 04:09 PM

Quote of the Day (AP):


"Between Barack and a hard place, I chose Barack." — Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who endorsed fellow Democratic Sen. Barack Obama for president on Monday, saying it had been difficult being uncommitted in the race.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Riginslinger
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 04:53 PM

So she's sold our her sisters for the sake of dumping her guilt, what?

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 09:10 AM

Oh, Rig, that was profpundly shallow.

"
Text size – + Poll supports Obama's case to party
Email|Link|Comments (0) Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor March 31, 2008 07:47 PM
The latest Gallup poll is like manna from heaven for Barack Obama it so neatly backs up two key arguments he and his supporters are making -- that he is the stronger candidate for the fall, and that the marathon nomination fight is hurting the party.

In the poll, 59 percent of Democrats said that Obama would have the better chance as the Democratic nominee in November, compared to 30 percent for Hillary Clinton. Among Republicans, 64 percent said their presumptive nominee, John McCain, would have a better chance to win against Clinton, while only 22 percent said Obama would be the weaker Democrat.

"Clearly at this point, the party rank-and-file thinks Obama would present a stronger challenge to McCain in the fall than Clinton would," the pollsters said in a release. "Those attitudes could certainly change over the remainder of the campaign, but it is notable that Obama maintains a wide lead in these perceptions shortly after the Jeremiah Wright controversy knocked his campaign off stride."

The poll, released today, also found that 56 percent of Democrats believe that the drawn-out nomination battle is doing "more harm than good," while 35 percent believe it is doing "more good than harm." A growing drumbeat of Obama backers, most notably Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, have urged Clinton to consider dropping out for the party's good.

The survey, conducted March 24-27, has an overall margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points and a margin of error among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents of plus or minus 5 percentage points.


"

Boston.com

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 02:03 PM

US News and WOrld Report:

"HARRISBURG, PA.—Presidential candidate Barack Obama's "Road to Change" bus tour rolled through this city of 47,000 on Sunday evening, drawing 1,500 who had stood in line on a cold Saturday morning for hours to get free tickets. The event followed a stop in State College, Pa., earlier in the day and drew a diverse crowd that often rose to its feet and chanted Obama's name. Both candidates have been crisscrossing the state in advance of the April 22 primary, and Clinton had an event scheduled in Harrisburg for Monday.


Sen. Bob Casey Jr., who announced his endorsement of Obama on Friday, introduced the candidate to supporters at the city's Forum Auditorium. The town hall-style meeting consisted largely of Obama answering questions from the crowd, from attendees young and old, and addressing such issues as healthcare, the war, wage discrimination, energy policy, mental health parity, and substance abuse.

Obama often bantered and joked with the audience and maintained a casual style that seemed to impress many attendees. He thanked the audience for its support during a long presidential race. "There have been babies that have been born and are now walking and talking" since he first announced his candidacy 15 months ago, Obama said jokingly. "I am running because of what Dr. [Martin Luther] King [Jr.] called the fierce urgency of now," he added, dismissing the concerns of those who suggested he not run for president now because he is young enough to wait.

But what the crowd seemed to appreciate most were answers perceived as frank and straightforward that didn't so much tell people what they wanted to hear as they did urge collaboration and participation from ordinary citizens in addressing issues such as wage discrimination and education. ..."

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 02:06 PM

"It could happen. On MSNBC's Morning Joe this a.m., Sen. Chuck Hagel said he'd be open to endorsing Barack Obama." Marc AMbinder, MSNBC. Probably launching an APril Fool joke.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 02:07 PM

"Posted March 31, 2008 10:24 AM

Despite several weeks of bad publicity stemming from the controversy over his affiliation with Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Sen. Barack Obama has taken a double-digit lead over his Democratic rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, according to the latest poll.

Obama picks up more superdelegates
A new Gallup Tracking Poll conducted March 27-March 29 shows Obama leading Clinton 52 to 42 percent, his largest lead of the year so far. Obama also leads Clinton in two other polls, giving him an average lead of 4.6 points over his primary opponent. The Illinois senator also holds a slight, but statistically insignificant lead over Sen. John McCain in the general election polls."
(Daily Voice)

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 02:15 PM

Leading Pa. Jews endorse Obama
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Published: 04/01/2008


A group of prominent Pennsylvania Jews endorsed U.S. Sen. Barack Obama in advance of the state's April 22 primary.

In a letter to the state's Jewish community, some 60 Jewish politicians, rabbis and community leaders dismissed concerns raised about Obama's commitment to Israel, praised his response to the controversial statements of his pastor and urged them to support the Illinois lawmaker in the Democratic primary.

Among the signatories were two Jewish Pennsylvania legislators -- Reps. Josh Shapiro and Daylin Leach.

"Senator Obama has earned our respect and gratitude because of his support for traditional Jewish values and his commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Israel," the letter said.

(JTA News)
The letter also lauded Obama's recent speech in which he repudiated the views of his controversial pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., and compared support for Obama to Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's famous description of marching for civil rights in Selma as "praying with his feet."

"We have each chosen to pray with our feet and stand with Barack Obama because he is sensitive to the issues of the Jewish community and a stalwart supporter of Israel," the letter said

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 06:52 PM

Walking in Another Person's Shoes -- a really nice thing to see.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 03:01 PM

Former Indiana Rep. Hamilton Endorses Obama


Lee Hamilton is not a superdelegate. Nonetheless, there are several reasons for Barack Obama to welcome the support of the longtime Indiana congressman and co-chairman of the 9/11 Commission, who announced his endorsement of Obama this morning.

Hamilton's support helps Obama in Indiana, where the May 6 primary looms as perhaps the most evenly matched of the remaining contests, and thus a possible media bellwether. Until now, Hillary Clinton has held an edge in establishment support in the state, thanks mostly to her backing from Evan Bayh, the senator, former governor and son of a former senator.

As importantly, the nod from the respected co-chairman of the 9/11 commission bolsters Obama's claim as a credible candidate for commander in chief, a point on which the rookie senator has been hammered by both Clinton and McCain. (In fact, Hamilton is not the first 9/11 commission member from Indiana to endorse Obama -- former congressman Tim Roemer came out for him last month.) There is the added twist of the 9/11 commission co-chairman passing over the senator from the state that suffered the worst of the attacks, though the symbolism is not as stark as it was when Tom Kean, the former New Jersey governor and Republican co-chairman of the panel, endorsed McCain instead of Rudy Giuliani, the presidential candidate most closely identified with the attacks.

Hamilton told the Associated Press that he was supporting Obama because he practices "the politics of consensus and not of partisan division."

"I think he is driven by the search for the common good," Hamilton said. "I begin by asking myself what kind of leadership the country needs at this juncture and I think, for me at least, the answer is that you want a candidate that will try to bring together a country that is very evenly divided, a country in which partisanship has been very sharp and to try to get a candidate who will create a new sense of national unity and will try to transcend the divisions within the country."

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 03:04 PM

Obama: Gore "Will Be At The Table"


Asked on "60 Minutes" recently who he is supporting in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, Al Gore said he's "tryin' to stay out of it."

But the Associated Press reports that Barack Obama wants him to be very much in it, if and when he takes the presidency.

Asked if he would consider Gore for his cabinet or a higher position to address global warming, Obama told the crowd at a town hall meeting in Pennsylvania that he would.

"Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem," Obama said. "He's somebody I talk to on a regular basis. I'm already consulting with him in terms of these issues but climate change is real."

Both Obama and Hillary Clinton have courted Gore, the climate change activist who backed Howard Dean in 2004. The former vice president and presidential nominee has also been discussed as someone who could serve as a broker to help settle the hard-fought Democratic race.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Amos
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 03:07 PM

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal, a former Clinton administration appointee, announced Wednesday that he will support Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Freudenthal said he was impressed by the large, enthusiastic crowds that turned out to see Obama when he visited Wyoming ahead of last month's caucuses.

"They paid attention and were riveted and reactivated, and trying to be part of an America that's bigger than just their own self-interest," Freudenthal told The Associated Press. "And you hope that can work. Because something has got to dig us out of this morass that we've gotten into, where it's sort of gotcha politics."

Freudenthal is the second Western governor and former Clinton appointee to endorse Obama in recent weeks. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former energy secretary and UN ambassador under Clinton, announced his support for Obama two weeks ago.

Former Indiana Rep. Lee Hamilton, who was the top Democrat on the Sept. 11 Commission, also endorsed Obama on Wednesday.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Riginslinger
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 09:27 PM

If Richardson sold out for thirty pieces of silver, you've got to wonder what Lee Hamilton got.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: GUEST,Jack The Sailor
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 10:52 PM

If Richardson is Judas, then Hillary is the Virgin Mary. I don't know what is the bottle in that paper bag that Carville is handing around, but I sure as hell ain't drinkin it.

Subject: RE: BS: Popular Views on Obama
From: Ron Davies
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 11:42 PM

Actually, if Richardson is Judas, and he betrayed Hillary, Hillary's role is even less likely than Virgin Mary.



But it will all be over when Hillary releases the Clintons' taxes----I'm not necessarily talking about the 2007 taxes--which her spokesman says will happen 3 or 4 days before the PA primary. There's no way her candidacy can survive what those taxes will reveal.

And it's a lose-lose proposition for her. Either she releases them, and sinks her campaign, or she finds some flimsy excuse not to--and it will be obvious she's hiding something serious.