Well, it's been a long time since my last post. I lost interest in blogging for a while, but with the surge in political enthusiasm, I think now is an appropriate time to get back into it! It is so refreshing to be excited about politics and see so many people take a great interest in the election this early on.
I was fortunate to be in D.C. during the Potomac election in D.C., Virginia and Maryland. Obama has a surprising sweep, and by a large margin! Who knew that Super Tuesday wouldn't be a deciding factor but only propel both candidates to be in this for the long haul?!
Let's see what happens in Wisconsin...
I'm predicting an Obama victory in Wisconsin.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Corny Music
Proving yet again that youth votes are so important in the 2008 race and attempting to be the first to use music as a slogan, Hillary Clinton has surpassed corny and moved to downright ridiculous in allowing the American voter to choose a campaign song that will represent and identify her campaign. American Idol meets politics! To my knowledge no other candidates are doing this, and I hope it doesn't set a trend.
I wonder what the musicians think of their song possibly being tied to Clinton's campaign?! I like so many of the songs that I'd hate to think of Hillary every time now after I hear it! After the first round of voting, Clinton's campaign has drawn this out to a second round with five of the original choices and five choices that were the top write-in vote. I commend the candidates for making the 2008 election about the voter and trying to increase voter participation early, but this is just absurd in my opinion.
I wonder what the musicians think of their song possibly being tied to Clinton's campaign?! I like so many of the songs that I'd hate to think of Hillary every time now after I hear it! After the first round of voting, Clinton's campaign has drawn this out to a second round with five of the original choices and five choices that were the top write-in vote. I commend the candidates for making the 2008 election about the voter and trying to increase voter participation early, but this is just absurd in my opinion.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Grilling with Obama
Want to 'hang with Obama at your Memorial Day picnic? If you said yes, you're in the majority.
A telephone survey of 1,166 randomly chosen people was conducted from April 25 to May 1 to determine whom they would most like to chat with at a Memorial Day picnic.
Obama received 33 percent of the votes, more than any other Democrat candidate. Clinton was second with only 24 percent. More women overall chose Obama over Clinton.
Guiliani was the top Republican with 37 percent, followed by McCain with 27 percent.
A telephone survey of 1,166 randomly chosen people was conducted from April 25 to May 1 to determine whom they would most like to chat with at a Memorial Day picnic.
Obama received 33 percent of the votes, more than any other Democrat candidate. Clinton was second with only 24 percent. More women overall chose Obama over Clinton.
Guiliani was the top Republican with 37 percent, followed by McCain with 27 percent.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Obama Means It
Voters believe Obama means what he says, whereas voters believe Clinton says what she thinks will get her elected. It baffles me with these continual poll finding that Clinton maintains a lead.
A new FOX News poll finds that voters are focusing on Iraq, terrorism and health care as they consider their vote for president. Looking at the candidates, more voters think Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Barack Obama say what they truly believe, even if it is unpopular, while a majority thinks Hillary Clinton usually says what she thinks will get her elected. Clinton is the only candidate where a majority of voters (55 percent) thinks she says what she thinks will get her elected, rather than what she truly believes (34 percent).
Opinion Dynamics Corp. conducted the national telephone poll of 900 registered voters for FOX News from May 15 to May 16. The poll has a 3-point error margin.
Democrats (60 percent) are much more likely than Republicans (45 percent) to say Iraq is extremely important to their vote — by a 15-point margin. Republicans are most likely to be motivated by the issue of terrorism.
Even with the early start, attention to the presidential election remains high. Many voters say they are extremely (27 percent) or very (35 percent) interested right now, although few (13 percent) say they have already made up their mind about which candidate to support.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Only 16 Votes
Sixteen votes. That's all the Democrats need from the Republican senators to override Bush's veto of the bill that includes a timetable for withdrawl of U.S. troops from Iraq. The main banner of Obama's homepage depicts a hand signing a bill and encourages the public to contact their Republican representative to encourage him or her to support the bill and cross the aisle to do what's right.
Here's part of the e-mail I received Obama's campaign on the topic:
Make your voice heard.
Here's part of the e-mail I received Obama's campaign on the topic:
Barack has been traveling across the country asking people to speak out and let their Senators know that it's time to end the Iraq war. One Republican colleague has already called this "not Senatorial". But this isn't about Washington etiquette, it's about bringing our troops home.
This isn't a game. We need just 16 additional votes to override the president's veto and bring to a close this sad chapter in American history. It's going to take some convincing, but Senators need to hear from people in their states that they can join us to bring a responsible end to the war.
That's where you come in. There are 20 incumbent Republican Senators facing re-election battles in 2008. They will have to make clear very soon whether they will continue to block efforts to bring the troops home.
Now is the time to hold them accountable for their choices on the war. Their constituents are making their voice heard, but they need to hear from all of us. Will you speak out now and add your voice to the growing public pressure to end the war?
Make your voice heard.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
The N Word
Rush Limbaugh has been tossing around the N word, negro that is, in what he calls a musical parody. I call it racist. Limbaugh calls Obama "Halfrican African" and has written a song the "Barack the Magic Negro" set to the tune of "Puff the Magic Dragon."
So Don Imus creates national rage for "Nappy-headed Negro" but it's different with Rush Limbaugh?! I don't see how the two are different and there is not more outrage over Limbaugh's comments. And Obama's response is that the song is dumb. I suppose he is trying to downplay the song to make it go away.
Questions over Obama's race should have long ago been laid to rest. What is the obsession and who cares about his ethnic make-up. A candidate should be judged by their opinions and how they will act as president, not race or genetics.
So Don Imus creates national rage for "Nappy-headed Negro" but it's different with Rush Limbaugh?! I don't see how the two are different and there is not more outrage over Limbaugh's comments. And Obama's response is that the song is dumb. I suppose he is trying to downplay the song to make it go away.
The shock jock legitimizes his use of the phrase "magic negro" by noting he plucked it came from an Op-Ed by commentator David Ehrenstein that ran in the L.A. Times. Ehrenstein wrote, in a nuanced argument, that Obama fulfills the classic Hollywood role of a "noble, healing Negro" who assuages white guilt over slavery and segregation....
"while replacing stereotypes of a dangerous, highly sexualized black man with a benign figure for whom interracial sexual congress holds no interest. As might be expected, this figure is chiefly cinematic—embodied by such noted performers as Sidney Poitier, Morgan Freeman, Scatman Crothers, Michael Clarke Duncan, Will Smith and, most recently, Don Cheadle. And that's not to mention a certain basketball player whose very nickname is "Magic."
Questions over Obama's race should have long ago been laid to rest. What is the obsession and who cares about his ethnic make-up. A candidate should be judged by their opinions and how they will act as president, not race or genetics.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Barack Drops Back
In the first released since both the Democrats and Republicans held their first televised debate, the margin between Obama and Clinton has grown considerably. Obama was virtually even with Clinton two weeks ago, but is now 15 percentage points back again, where he was over a month ago. Gore and Edwards are a great distance behind.
In the Republican race, Giuliani is leading the pack, with McCain and Romney second and third respectively.
The Gallup Poll results were released this week.
I don't know about you, but I like to see a candidate for president who can admit mistakes. When speaking today, Obama said 10,000 had died in the Greensburg, Kansas tornado, and later realized his mistake. He admitted there will be times when he's tired and times when he's wrong. That's nice to hear, unlike Bush who can't admit a mistake EVER. I wasn't asked by Gallup Poll people my opinion, but my vote for Obama still stands.
In the Republican race, Giuliani is leading the pack, with McCain and Romney second and third respectively.
The Gallup Poll results were released this week.
I don't know about you, but I like to see a candidate for president who can admit mistakes. When speaking today, Obama said 10,000 had died in the Greensburg, Kansas tornado, and later realized his mistake. He admitted there will be times when he's tired and times when he's wrong. That's nice to hear, unlike Bush who can't admit a mistake EVER. I wasn't asked by Gallup Poll people my opinion, but my vote for Obama still stands.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The Power of Internet Campaigning
Campaigning by use of the Internet has become the way to campaign for 2008. Candidates all have official Web pages with the ability to donate online, network with other supporters, create a blog or Web site page and leave the candidate messages, just to name a few of the features.
Barack Obama recently became the first candidate to have 100,000 MySpace friends on his MySpace page. However, the use of the Internet to control campaign messages and relay timely information took a turn last week when Obama's campaign fought and won the battle to control the Barack Obama MySpace page.
The page was actually created over two years ago by a supporter in Los Angeles, California. Obama's campaign had the password and was providing messages and information to the creator of the site for posting but they determined that was not enough. In an effort to have complete control of the site, they argued to MySpace that the entire page should belong to Obama and his campaign. The creator, who had invested a great deal of time on the site, was told he could keep the list of registered friends but must give up the page.
The case highlights the struggle between campaigns' desire to control their message versus the power of voter-generated material. And it shows how one person - in this case Los Angeles paralegal Joe Anthony - can become an influence on presidential politics through the power of the Internet.
When Anthony lost the page, he vowed to never vote for Obama, but a personal call from Obama helped to smooth things over.
Barack Obama recently became the first candidate to have 100,000 MySpace friends on his MySpace page. However, the use of the Internet to control campaign messages and relay timely information took a turn last week when Obama's campaign fought and won the battle to control the Barack Obama MySpace page.
The page was actually created over two years ago by a supporter in Los Angeles, California. Obama's campaign had the password and was providing messages and information to the creator of the site for posting but they determined that was not enough. In an effort to have complete control of the site, they argued to MySpace that the entire page should belong to Obama and his campaign. The creator, who had invested a great deal of time on the site, was told he could keep the list of registered friends but must give up the page.
The case highlights the struggle between campaigns' desire to control their message versus the power of voter-generated material. And it shows how one person - in this case Los Angeles paralegal Joe Anthony - can become an influence on presidential politics through the power of the Internet.
When Anthony lost the page, he vowed to never vote for Obama, but a personal call from Obama helped to smooth things over.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Republicans Switch to Obama
Disillusioned by George W. Bush's "my way or the highway" approach to politics, many top Republicans who previously backed him are making the move to Obama because they believe he can reunite the highly divided country. I hope it doesn't hurt the way Obama is viewed with the Democrats, however.
Tom Bernstein went to Yale University with Bush and co-owned the Texas Rangers baseball team with him. In 2004 he donated the maximum $2,000 to the president’s reelection campaign and gave $50,000 to the Republican National Committee. This year he is switching his support to Obama; he is one of many former Bush admirers who find the Democrat newcomer appealing.
Matthew Dowd, Bush’s chief campaign strategist in 2004, announced last month that he was disillusioned with the war in Iraq and the president’s “my way or the highway” style of leadership – the first member of Bush’s inner circle to denounce the leader’s performance in office.
Although Dowd has yet to endorse a candidate, he said the only one he liked was Obama. “I think we should design campaigns that appeal, not to 51% of the people, but bring the country together as a whole,” Dowd said. A champion of human rights, he admires Obama’s call for action on Darfur. Interestingly, Dowd’s opposition to the war has been sharpened by the expected deployment to Iraq of his son, an Arabic-speaking Army intelligence specialist.
Last week a surprising endorsement for Obama's antiwar stance came from Robert Kagan, a leading neoconservative and co-founder of the Project for the New American Century in the late 1990s, which called for the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Kagan is an informal foreign policy adviser to McCain oddly enough.
Disagreements on the war have not stopped John Martin, a Navy reservist and founder of the website Republicans for Obama, from supporting him. He joined the military after the Iraq war and is about to be deployed to Afghanistan.
“I disagree with Obama on the war but I don’t think it is a test of his patriotism,” Martin says. “Obama has a message of hope for the country.”
Financiers have also been oiling Obama’s campaign. In Chicago, his home town, John Canning, a “Bush pioneer” and investment banker who pledged to raise $100,000 for the president in 2004, has given up on the Republicans. “I know lots of my friends in this business are disenchanted and are definitely looking for something different,” he said.
Tom Bernstein went to Yale University with Bush and co-owned the Texas Rangers baseball team with him. In 2004 he donated the maximum $2,000 to the president’s reelection campaign and gave $50,000 to the Republican National Committee. This year he is switching his support to Obama; he is one of many former Bush admirers who find the Democrat newcomer appealing.
Matthew Dowd, Bush’s chief campaign strategist in 2004, announced last month that he was disillusioned with the war in Iraq and the president’s “my way or the highway” style of leadership – the first member of Bush’s inner circle to denounce the leader’s performance in office.
Although Dowd has yet to endorse a candidate, he said the only one he liked was Obama. “I think we should design campaigns that appeal, not to 51% of the people, but bring the country together as a whole,” Dowd said. A champion of human rights, he admires Obama’s call for action on Darfur. Interestingly, Dowd’s opposition to the war has been sharpened by the expected deployment to Iraq of his son, an Arabic-speaking Army intelligence specialist.
Last week a surprising endorsement for Obama's antiwar stance came from Robert Kagan, a leading neoconservative and co-founder of the Project for the New American Century in the late 1990s, which called for the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Kagan is an informal foreign policy adviser to McCain oddly enough.
Disagreements on the war have not stopped John Martin, a Navy reservist and founder of the website Republicans for Obama, from supporting him. He joined the military after the Iraq war and is about to be deployed to Afghanistan.
“I disagree with Obama on the war but I don’t think it is a test of his patriotism,” Martin says. “Obama has a message of hope for the country.”
Financiers have also been oiling Obama’s campaign. In Chicago, his home town, John Canning, a “Bush pioneer” and investment banker who pledged to raise $100,000 for the president in 2004, has given up on the Republicans. “I know lots of my friends in this business are disenchanted and are definitely looking for something different,” he said.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Political Roundup
Today's post is a hodge-podge of news related to the 2008 elections.
First, I must mention that yet another candidate has entered the race on the Republican side. Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore entered the race as of yesterday, which doesn't come as much of a surprise since he formed an "exploratory committee" back in January. The announcement came from none other than Iowa. Gilmore says that the other Republican candidates are far too liberal, and he deems himself the only "real" Republican candidate in the race. Just what we need-an ultra-conservative to follow up the current ultra-ultra-conservative in office!
In case you haven't heard, Mike Huckabee's son was arrested for carrying a gun. Another plus for the Republicans following last week's Virginia Tech shooting. He was carrying the gun at none other than an airport!
We all knew McCain was a nut, but now we find out he has 22 dogs. That makes him tied with the crazy cat woman each of us has in our neighborhood or at work.
Clinton has recently been questioned for dropping the Rodham in her name. While she still uses Hillary Rodham Clinton in the senate and on all official senate materials, her campaign Web site lists Rodham no where. When her husband failed to be re-elected as Arkansas governor, she began going by Rodham Clinton and he was then re-elected. I must question if the name identity crisis is over preceived positives being tied to Bill Clinton more closely.
First, I must mention that yet another candidate has entered the race on the Republican side. Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore entered the race as of yesterday, which doesn't come as much of a surprise since he formed an "exploratory committee" back in January. The announcement came from none other than Iowa. Gilmore says that the other Republican candidates are far too liberal, and he deems himself the only "real" Republican candidate in the race. Just what we need-an ultra-conservative to follow up the current ultra-ultra-conservative in office!
In case you haven't heard, Mike Huckabee's son was arrested for carrying a gun. Another plus for the Republicans following last week's Virginia Tech shooting. He was carrying the gun at none other than an airport!
We all knew McCain was a nut, but now we find out he has 22 dogs. That makes him tied with the crazy cat woman each of us has in our neighborhood or at work.
Clinton has recently been questioned for dropping the Rodham in her name. While she still uses Hillary Rodham Clinton in the senate and on all official senate materials, her campaign Web site lists Rodham no where. When her husband failed to be re-elected as Arkansas governor, she began going by Rodham Clinton and he was then re-elected. I must question if the name identity crisis is over preceived positives being tied to Bill Clinton more closely.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Denoucing Bush
A popular topic at the Democratic convention in California was the war in Iraq and it's grave mishandling by the Bush administration. Obama, as well as Clinton, were well-received for the jabbing remarks they made about misleading the country into war and Bush's promise to veto the bill passed by both houses of Congress. Obama vowed to "turn the page on this Iraq disaster."
Obama did not miss the opportunity to remind the left-leaning crowd that he is the only candidate to have denouced the war from the start. The remark is a continual sting to Clinton who voted in 2002 to authorize the invasion in Iraq. Obama has made his early opposition to the Iraq conflict a central theme of his campaign, and he told delegates he was proud to have bucked popular opinion at the time.
Both candidates also seized the opportunity to call for Bush to saw the bill, instead of vetoing a withdrawl timeline for Iraq.
With California moving its primary into February, like so many other states, it now has even more political clout than previously with its huge electoral college numbers.
Obama wowed California Democrats at their annual convention on the weekend, drawing a more passionate welcome than Hillary Clinton received hours earlier, a New Zealand online source says.
Obama did not miss the opportunity to remind the left-leaning crowd that he is the only candidate to have denouced the war from the start. The remark is a continual sting to Clinton who voted in 2002 to authorize the invasion in Iraq. Obama has made his early opposition to the Iraq conflict a central theme of his campaign, and he told delegates he was proud to have bucked popular opinion at the time.
Both candidates also seized the opportunity to call for Bush to saw the bill, instead of vetoing a withdrawl timeline for Iraq.
With California moving its primary into February, like so many other states, it now has even more political clout than previously with its huge electoral college numbers.
Obama wowed California Democrats at their annual convention on the weekend, drawing a more passionate welcome than Hillary Clinton received hours earlier, a New Zealand online source says.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Obama Out-Manuevers Clinton
Clinton has had to rebuild her strategy for campaigning ever since Obama's fundraising matched what she raised, a shock to the Clinton campaign and many Americans alike. Quietly Obama has snuck up on Clinton, who was believed to be the front-runner and unsurmountable. Obama is not on the defense as is Clinton at this point. His grassroots campaign continues to grow and an additional 45,000 donors have contributed since the March 31 first quarter reporting.
What startled Clinton's team was not just Obama's totals or his success at drumming up contributions over the Internet, but also how much he is collecting from the big donors who have fueled Clinton enterprises for the past decade and a half. "It was a real wake-up call," says a Clinton strategist.
As her campaign chairman, Terry McAuliffe, discovered, Obama "works the phones like a dog. He probably did three to four times the number of events she did" in the first quarter. "No matter who I call," McAuliffe says, "he has already called them three or four times."
But her team says she is not yet ready to begin challenging Obama directly. That's because going on the attack could further boost her negatives and create an opening for Edwards, who has offered far more detailed plans than she has on issues like health care. "They are worried about both Obama and Edwards," says an outside adviser. "They think if Obama flames out, Edwards rises." And if that happens, Hillary's team will have to consider a course correction once again.
Read the full story from CNN.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Gap Narrows
Obama continues to close in on Clinton. According to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll doubts over Obama's electability are diminishing more everyday. Just last month Obama lagged 12 percentage points behind Clinton. Yet today he is within five percentage points. When the poll's margin of error is factored in, the two are neck in neck!
In the matchup featuring the most vivid contrast on views on Iraq, Obama leads McCain, a steadfast supporter of the war effort, by 45% to 39%.
The poll also shows that voters don't perceive a wide gap between the two front-runners in their ability to defeat the Republican nominee in next year's general election; 39% say Clinton has the "best chance," while 32% say Obama does. The finding indicates that, just as Obama's early fund-raising has undercut one of Clinton's presumed advantages, his relative inexperience hasn't emerged as a major impediment.
America is slowing catching on to the trend that is Obama!
In the matchup featuring the most vivid contrast on views on Iraq, Obama leads McCain, a steadfast supporter of the war effort, by 45% to 39%.
The poll also shows that voters don't perceive a wide gap between the two front-runners in their ability to defeat the Republican nominee in next year's general election; 39% say Clinton has the "best chance," while 32% say Obama does. The finding indicates that, just as Obama's early fund-raising has undercut one of Clinton's presumed advantages, his relative inexperience hasn't emerged as a major impediment.
America is slowing catching on to the trend that is Obama!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Republicans DO NOT Make Us Safer
In a rare reaction to Rudy Giuliani's comments today, Obama, Edwards and Clinton struck back. Obama actually issued a statement with comments directly aimed at Giuliani and actually using his name. The step of issuing a statement retalating to another candidates remarks is rare, but justified in this case.
Giuliani actually said “America will be safer with a Republican president.” Unbelievable. He went on to elaborate that only a Republican president will protect the people from terrorists and be on the offense, whereas a Democratic president would only be on the defense the cost and number of deaths will be greater. I don't see how he can make that claim, since the Republicans don't want to withdraw, thus spending more money to finance the war and more war casualties as well. And, didn't September 11 happen under a Republican president and Republican New York City mayor? Obviously the Republicans aren't the great offensive force Giuliani claims. Read his full comments.
While Clinton issued a statement, she did not actually name Giuliani. But Obama had the guts to name him specifically, and Edwards later did as well. Obama said: "Rudy Giuliani today has taken the politics of fear to a new low and I believe Americans are ready to reject those kind of politics. America’s mayor should know that when it comes to 9/11 and fighting terrorists, America is united. We know we can win this war based on shared purpose, not the same divisive politics that question your patriotism if you dare to question failed policies that have made us less secure. I think we should focus on strengthening our intelligence, working with local authorities and doing all the things we haven’t yet done to keep Americans safe. The threat we face is real, and deserves better than to be the punchline of another political attack.”
Giuliani, you're creating back-lash you cannot afford at this point. He is clearly working to attract more conservatives from the Republican Party, but in doing so, he's making bold and stupid claims he cannot back up. And I don't think the American people truly believe a Republican president will make us safer, instead they're ready to give Bush the boot in a hurry in order to get a fresh perspective on the war and finally end it. Only a Democrat has the courage and smarts to do just that.
Giuliani actually said “America will be safer with a Republican president.” Unbelievable. He went on to elaborate that only a Republican president will protect the people from terrorists and be on the offense, whereas a Democratic president would only be on the defense the cost and number of deaths will be greater. I don't see how he can make that claim, since the Republicans don't want to withdraw, thus spending more money to finance the war and more war casualties as well. And, didn't September 11 happen under a Republican president and Republican New York City mayor? Obviously the Republicans aren't the great offensive force Giuliani claims. Read his full comments.
While Clinton issued a statement, she did not actually name Giuliani. But Obama had the guts to name him specifically, and Edwards later did as well. Obama said: "Rudy Giuliani today has taken the politics of fear to a new low and I believe Americans are ready to reject those kind of politics. America’s mayor should know that when it comes to 9/11 and fighting terrorists, America is united. We know we can win this war based on shared purpose, not the same divisive politics that question your patriotism if you dare to question failed policies that have made us less secure. I think we should focus on strengthening our intelligence, working with local authorities and doing all the things we haven’t yet done to keep Americans safe. The threat we face is real, and deserves better than to be the punchline of another political attack.”
Giuliani, you're creating back-lash you cannot afford at this point. He is clearly working to attract more conservatives from the Republican Party, but in doing so, he's making bold and stupid claims he cannot back up. And I don't think the American people truly believe a Republican president will make us safer, instead they're ready to give Bush the boot in a hurry in order to get a fresh perspective on the war and finally end it. Only a Democrat has the courage and smarts to do just that.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Straight from the Horse's Mouth
I continue to share with you e-mails I receive from Barack Obama's campaign. I think it's beneficial to hear the news straight from the horse's mouth from time to time instead of as interrupted by others. This echoes my post from earlier today on Obama's comments during a speech in Chicago that Bush has let America down and has not been a leader.
Here's part of the e-mail that I share with you:
And here is his full speech he gave today.
Here's part of the e-mail that I share with you:
Our foreign policy shapes America's image abroad, but America's role in the world is deeply personal for many of us here at home. We remember how it felt when the American president had the moral authority to speak for free people everywhere.
Maybe you've traveled abroad and seen firsthand how in a few years George Bush has squandered the goodwill America earned over half a century. Maybe the decisions George Bush has made has sent your friend or family member into a war that should have never happened in the first place.
Barack wants to know why a new direction for our foreign policy and restoring America's moral leadership in the world is personal for you. Share your story.
Today Barack gave a major address about why our role in the world is personal for him.
He's been to the border of the Darfur region and seen first-hand what happens when America will not step up and lead. He's seen first-hand that weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union have not been secured under this president. He's met with Israelis and Palestinians who told him that true peace won't be achieved without an American president committed to making it happen.
And he's got concrete plans to right our course and rebuild America's global leadership. Today he laid out five initiatives that an Obama Administration will pursue:
*Bring a responsible end to this war in Iraq and refocus on the critical challenges in the broader region:
*Modernize our overstretched armed forces, building the first truly 21st century military and show wisdom in how we deploy it
*Marshal a global effort to secure, destroy, and stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction
*Rebuild and construct the alliances and partnerships necessary to meet common challenges and confront common threats
*Invest in our common humanity to ensure that those who live in fear and want today can live with dignity and opportunity tomorrow
As Barack pointed out today, the position of "leader of the free world" has been vacant for some time. For too long we've seen the consequences of a foreign policy based on a flawed ideology, and a belief that tough talk can replace real strength and vision. How many millions of Americans and our allies abroad winced when Senator John McCain gleefully sang a tune about starting another war by bombing Iran?
As the Republican presidential candidates repeat the same tired White House talking points, one thing is becoming clear: Democrats have the obligation to turn the page and lead America into a new chapter in history.
And here is his full speech he gave today.
Bush Comes Up Short
Obama made a bold, but true, announcement today on Bush's lack of leadership and irresponsible decision-making. Obama flat out said that Bush has fallen short of his role as leader of the free world, but the 2008 election is just the opportunity to change that.
Obama has been consistent in his disapproval of the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war.
"This president may occupy the White House, but for the last six years the position of leader of the free world has remained open. And it's time to fill that role once more," Obama said, according to excerpts of his speech prepared for delivery to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
"The disappointment that so many around the world feel toward America right now is only a testament to the high expectations they hold for us. We must meet those expectations again, not because being respected is an end in itself, but because the security of America and the wider world demands it," according to the speech.
In a March speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a bipartisan pro-Israel lobby, Obama blamed the Bush administration failings in Iraq for strengthening the strategic position of Iran. He called for a reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq, during a November address before the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Obama has been consistent in his disapproval of the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Time for a Gun Law Change
It's not surprising in the wake of the Virgina Tech shootings that gun laws have become a hot-button issue again. While McCain and other Republicans do not believe a change is needed, Democrats have taken the opportunity to speak out and re-address concerns over current laws. They argue the current laws make it too easy to acquire a gun, and with a new Congress in town, maybe now is the chance to finally do something about it. Obama said the shooting highlights serious shortcomings with gun control.
"We're still selling handguns to crazy people," Obama said during a campaign stop at a Nashua senior center on Friday. "We're supposed to have a system that these people are screened out. What's clear is the background check system in this case failed entirely."
Obama is not a hunter, and while he has said he will not take away hunters' or sportsmen's rights, he did say there must be a reasonable balance between those rights and public safety.
"(Cho) had a semiautomatic weapon with a clip that allowed him to take 19 shots in a row," Obama said. "I don't know any self-respecting hunter that needs 19 rounds of anything. The only reason you have 19 rounds is potentially to do physical harm to people. You don't shoot 19 rounds at a deer. And if you do, you shouldn't be hunting."
In an interview with the syndicated radio program "The Steve Harvey Morning Show" Obama said gun laws have to change to prevent the type of killings seen this week at Virginia Tech and on a daily basis in urban areas. The senator says "some common sense" changes are needed, among them, he wants gun laws changed for those who are mentally ill.
Watch what he had to say on the day of the shootings.
"We're still selling handguns to crazy people," Obama said during a campaign stop at a Nashua senior center on Friday. "We're supposed to have a system that these people are screened out. What's clear is the background check system in this case failed entirely."
Obama is not a hunter, and while he has said he will not take away hunters' or sportsmen's rights, he did say there must be a reasonable balance between those rights and public safety.
"(Cho) had a semiautomatic weapon with a clip that allowed him to take 19 shots in a row," Obama said. "I don't know any self-respecting hunter that needs 19 rounds of anything. The only reason you have 19 rounds is potentially to do physical harm to people. You don't shoot 19 rounds at a deer. And if you do, you shouldn't be hunting."
In an interview with the syndicated radio program "The Steve Harvey Morning Show" Obama said gun laws have to change to prevent the type of killings seen this week at Virginia Tech and on a daily basis in urban areas. The senator says "some common sense" changes are needed, among them, he wants gun laws changed for those who are mentally ill.
Watch what he had to say on the day of the shootings.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
People Are Stupid
With 24 hour news programs and flashing news stories when logging on to e-mail, how do people not even know who is the country's VP?! A Pew Research Center poll shows that on average, people today are about as able to name their leaders, and are about as aware of major news events, as nearly 20 years ago. The new survey includes nine questions that are either identical or roughly comparable to questions asked in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 2007, somewhat fewer were able to name their governor, the vice president, and the president of Russia, but more respondents than in the earlier era gave correct answers to questions pertaining to national politics.
In 1989, for example, 74% could come up with Dan Quayle's name when asked who the vice president is. Today, somewhat fewer (69%) are able to recall Dick Cheney. Okay, so people don't know the VP but know that the chief justice of the Supreme Court is generally considered a conservative and that Democrats control Congress than knew these things in 1989. That seems ironic to me, but maybe that indicates the country is more politically divided? Also odd to me is that people who watch the Colbert Report or John Stewart show know more about current events (54%) than those who watch CNN (41%)!
A majority of people know who Barack Obama is (61%) but more know Arnold Schwarzenegger as the California governor or a former action-movie star (91%) and football player Peyton Manning (62%). Sad.
In 1989, for example, 74% could come up with Dan Quayle's name when asked who the vice president is. Today, somewhat fewer (69%) are able to recall Dick Cheney. Okay, so people don't know the VP but know that the chief justice of the Supreme Court is generally considered a conservative and that Democrats control Congress than knew these things in 1989. That seems ironic to me, but maybe that indicates the country is more politically divided? Also odd to me is that people who watch the Colbert Report or John Stewart show know more about current events (54%) than those who watch CNN (41%)!
A majority of people know who Barack Obama is (61%) but more know Arnold Schwarzenegger as the California governor or a former action-movie star (91%) and football player Peyton Manning (62%). Sad.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Up in Smoke
Obama offered his energy proposal yesterday at the University of New Hampshire and has introduced a bill in the Senate. California has already introduced an effective initiative to lower carbon content, and Obama's plan for the whole country mirrors that of California's. He says the fuel used to power automobiles should contain less of the carbon that pollutes the air - enough to make the same impact as taking 32 million cars off the road.
It's nice to see someone in the government recognize that fossil fuels and global warming are a problem that need to be dealt with, unlike Bush who has choosen not to listen to ANY experts in the field and ignore the problem.
It's nice to see someone in the government recognize that fossil fuels and global warming are a problem that need to be dealt with, unlike Bush who has choosen not to listen to ANY experts in the field and ignore the problem.
Specifically, Obama wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions from cars by 5 percent in 2015 and 10 percent in 2020. Obama's plan counts on new limits to force increased production of renewable biofuels, such as corn and cellulosic ethanol, which naturally have lower emissions. The plan would create incentives for increased research, investment in cleaner fuels and flexible-fuel vehicles that can run on ethanol.
The campaign says a national fuel standard would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 200 million tons in 2020 compared with 2007 levels - the equivalent of taking about 32 million cars off the road in 2020The campaign also estimates the annual consumption of gasoline derived from foreign oil imports would drop by about 30 billion gallons in 2020.
The bill he introduced would raise fuel efficiency standards. If that were enacted and combined with his carbon program, it would cut about 583 million tons of greenhouse gases in 2020, the equivalent of taking about 96 million cars off the road.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The Right Wins an Alarming One
Today the Supreme Court pleased the right-wing, anti-abortionists by giving them a victory in what could become one step toward overturning Roe v. Wade altogether. The court's conservative majority ruling bans a controversial abortion procedure of partial-birth abortion. This marks the first time since the 1973 ruling that women had the right to choose that the court has ruled in favor of limiting abortion laws.
Of course Bush's reaction was that this is progress toward his administration's "sanctity of life" position. And joining the conservative majority decision were Bush's two new appointees Chief Justice John Roberts and Samuel Alito. No doubt they fell into party line, and this decision has the potential to make huge waves in overturning Roe v. Wade, giving conservatives the ultimate win and women the ultimate loss.
"Today's decision is alarming," Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in dissent. She said the ruling "refuses to take ... seriously" previous Supreme Court decisions on abortion.
Said Eve Gartner of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America: "This ruling flies in the face of 30 years of Supreme Court precedent and the best interest of women's health and safety. ... This ruling tells women that politicians, not doctors, will make their health care decisions for them." She had argued that point before the justices.
Obama said the decision is a dramatic departure from precedents safeguarding women's health. "I am extremely concerned that this ruling will embolden state legislatures to enact further measures to restrict a woman's right to choose, and that the conservative Supreme Court justices will look for other opportunities to erode Roe v. Wade, which is established federal law and a matter of equal rights for women," he said.
Likewise, Clinton and Edwards also denounced the decision. Guiliani, who has been back and forth on abortion, said he was happy with the decision.
The 5-4 decision written by Justice Anthony Kennedy said the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act that Congress passed and President Bush signed into law in 2003 does not violate a woman's constitutional right to an abortion.
The law is constitutional despite not containing an exception that would allow the procedure if needed to preserve a woman's health, Kennedy said. "The law need not give abortion doctors unfettered choice in the course of their medical practice," he wrote in the majority opinion. Doctors who violate the law face up to two years in federal prison.
Of course Bush's reaction was that this is progress toward his administration's "sanctity of life" position. And joining the conservative majority decision were Bush's two new appointees Chief Justice John Roberts and Samuel Alito. No doubt they fell into party line, and this decision has the potential to make huge waves in overturning Roe v. Wade, giving conservatives the ultimate win and women the ultimate loss.
"Today's decision is alarming," Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in dissent. She said the ruling "refuses to take ... seriously" previous Supreme Court decisions on abortion.
Said Eve Gartner of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America: "This ruling flies in the face of 30 years of Supreme Court precedent and the best interest of women's health and safety. ... This ruling tells women that politicians, not doctors, will make their health care decisions for them." She had argued that point before the justices.
Obama said the decision is a dramatic departure from precedents safeguarding women's health. "I am extremely concerned that this ruling will embolden state legislatures to enact further measures to restrict a woman's right to choose, and that the conservative Supreme Court justices will look for other opportunities to erode Roe v. Wade, which is established federal law and a matter of equal rights for women," he said.
Likewise, Clinton and Edwards also denounced the decision. Guiliani, who has been back and forth on abortion, said he was happy with the decision.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
