Via Tonyb1069 at DKos. Hope McCain doesn't see this.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
The 'Obama Before Obama'
I'd heard of John Mercer Langston, but I had no idea that he was this similar to Obama. Go read the whole thing (it's great), but here's the eerie part-
Slim and debonair, and of mixed-raced parentage, Langston was highly educated, an expert in constitutional law, a community organizer (he went around Ohio setting up schools) and a soaring orator who sought to unify a divided country after the Civil War. Cheek finds ironic symmetry in the fact that the first black elected official in the land bears remarkable similarities to the man who could be the first black president.
'The Huckabee Heimlich' may have saved life
Man, I miss Huckabee, but I miss his family even more.
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee did more than just give a speech at the North Carolina Republican Party convention. He also may have saved a life.
State GOP spokesman Brent Woodcox says the former Arkansas governor did the Heimlich maneuver on Robert Pittenger, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, at a lunch before Huckabee gave his speech Saturday.
Woodcox says Pittenger was walking by the front table of the lunch greeting people when he began to choke.
Woodcox says Huckabee jumped up to help Pittenger, who was able to walk away after the incident without medical assistance.
Churches Rename to Escape Stigma Some Say 'Baptist' Carries
A self-inflicted wound.
The Rev. Todd Thomason looked out at the nearly empty pews of his congregation at Baptist Temple Church last Sunday. He had preached long and hard about Abraham leaving all that he knew and setting out into an unknown future on nothing more than faith in God. He was hoping that, after the service, what was left of his flock would have the courage to do the same.
After 100 years, Baptist Temple, he feared, was dying. In its heyday in the 1950s, more than 900 members crammed into the sanctuary of the pretty white church in Alexandria that was built for 500. Now he was lucky to get 30. Perhaps the problem, he began to think, was the name itself.
"We're probably the most progressive church in the city, but 'Baptist Temple' sounds weird, like it's charismatic and conservative," Thomason said. He worried that the word "Baptist" had become indelibly tied to the political religious right and that when combined with "Temple" it sounded like a fundamentalist "bring out the snakes" kind of place.
So after the service, Thomason would ask the remaining members of the church to save themselves, so to speak, and vote to change their name.
Hillary Clinton's Home Page: Support Obama
By GottaLaff
Here is a screen shot of Hillary's home page:
"Support Senator Obama Today." UPDATE: Here's a screen shot of Obama's page. Now this is what I call unity.... and well-co-ordinated:
Cliff Schecter on Ring of Fire NOW
By GottaLaff
Cliff Schecter on air NOW, on Air America's Ring of Fire.
UPDATE ON AL FRANKEN, via an IM I'm having with Cliff:
me: Quick question: what are Franken's chances against Coleman?
Cliff: Very good, toss up race
Al Franken wins primary
By GottaLaff
Al Franken got a winning boost:
Former comedian Al Franken, whose bid for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota was threatened by controversy over jokes from his past, won a crucial endorsement from the state Democratic party Saturday.Go Al! And don't lose your sense of humor:The DFL Convention endorsed Franken unanimously on the first ballot in Rochester, Saturday, after rival Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer conceded the vote to him and urged the party to unanimously back him. Nelson-Pallmeyer’s withdrawal means Franken will likely not face a major primary challenger, and will be expected to face Republican incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman in November.
Good response, especially that last part. Now go beat Coleman.In his speech before the state convention, Franken told the crowd, “I’ve had some tough conversations this week. It kills me that things I said and wrote sent a message to some of my friends in this room and people in this state that they can’t count on me to be a champion for women, a champion for all Minnesotans, in this campaign and in the Senate”
He said, “I’m sorry for that. Because that’s not who I am”.
Franken apologized for the content of some of his material in the past, saying “for 35 years, I was a writer. I wrote a lot of jokes. Some of them weren’t funny. Some of them were inappropriate. Some of them were downright offensive. I understand that. And I understand that the people of Minnesota deserve a Senator who won’t say things that make them uncomfortable. But I’m in this race because there are some people in Washington who could afford to feel a little less comfortable.”
Obama's response to Hillary's speech
By GottaLaff
One hour later....
"Obviously, I am thrilled and honored to have Senator Clinton's support. But more than that, I honor her today for the valiant and historic campaign she has run. She shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere, who now know that there are no limits to their dreams. And she inspired millions with her strength, courage and unyielding commitment to the cause of working Americans. Our party and our country are stronger because of the work she has done throughout her life, and I'm a better candidate for having had the privilege of competing with her in this campaign. No one knows better than Senator Clinton how desperately America and the American people need change, and I know she will continue to be in the forefront of that battle this fall and for years to come."
The talking heads were buzzing! Where was Obama during the speech?
Obama watched Clinton's speech over the Internet on a computer, a campaign aide said. He put in a call to Clinton afterward, but was told by a Clinton assistant that she was speaking with supporters.
Ohhh, so she's with supporters, too busy to take his call.
Why is there so much discussion about how "hard" this is for her? It's a race. Somebody had to lose, they all knew that before they ran, and yes, it's hard. This was a tough race, but it was essentially over some time ago.In the final minutes of the speech, a top Obama strategist was pleased with the message, saying there was “no ambiguity” about her support for the presumptive Democratic nominee.
The strategist characterized the speech as “very generous” and said that he “appreciates it’s hard.”
And hey, did anyone publicly console Mike Huckabee when he lost? Or John Edwards? No. Everyone assumed they'd suck it up and move forward. I'd hate to think it's because she's a -- dun, dun, dun-n-n -- woman.
U.S. publishers plan wave of Obama books
Oh goody. Guess the two he wrote about himself aren't good enough. The children's books sound like a interesting.
NEW YORK — Book publishers aren't waiting for a concession speech.
Several works about Senator Barack Obama, the Democrats' presumptive presidential candidate, are planned for the summer and fall, from children's stories and photographs to attacks from both the left and the right.
(snip)
Simon & Schuster is publishing a biography about Obama's wife, Michelle Obama, by Washington Post reporter Liza Mundy. The book, currently untitled, will come out in October with a first printing of 100,000. Simon & Schuster is also releasing a children's work, "Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope," by author Nikki Grimes and illustrator Bryan Collier. Another story for young people, Garen Thomas' "Yes We Can," will come from Feiwel, a children's imprint of MacMillan.
(snip)
The left-wing Verso Books has just released "The Decline of Black Politics: From Malcolm X to Barack Obama," by civil rights activist Kevin Alexander Gray. The conservative Regnery Publishing just announced two books for August: David Freddoso's "The Case Against Barack Obama: The Unlikely Rise and Unexamined Agenda of the Media's Favorite Candidate," and Thomas Blood's "The Clinton Collapse: How Bill Clinton Lost Hillary Her 'Sure Thing' Nomination (And Might Even Make Obama Lose Too)."
"We intend to put him under the microscope, and we think readers will be very interested to learn what we uncover," says Marji Ross, president and publisher of Regnery, which in 2004 released "Unfit for Command," the best-selling attack against Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry.
Oh, lovely Regnery.... the ultimate reach-around of conservatism.
Liveblog: Post Hillary speech
By GottaLaff
Keith: 4 separate speeches. A strong and convincing attempt to convert her own people. Then, congratulations for causes and women's/civil rights movements, then pleading for votes for Obama.
Chris: That's the strongest message: her warning to her people, especially older women, to not commit the sin of lost opportunity. Don't do that to this country again.
Keith: I hope and pray you'll join me: Was that strong enough? Fervent enough?
Chris: She worked the crowd, and it was professional, she was pulling the crowd away from the taunting noise she heard, and moved them from booing to cheers for Obama. If she'd been too flowery, it wouldn't be sincere. It was just right. The headline will be a full endorsement. She was multi-tasking, reserving the right to run again while endorsing Obama.
Keith: 6 minutes of home runs after wondering where the speech was going. That 6 minutes was exceptional.
Chris: She saluted Bill Clinton of 10 years ago.
Keith: If Bill of 12 years ago could campaign, that may be more effective than any speech he can give. But don't underestimate a speech by him.
Tim Russert: The "yes we can" worked. It was politically powerful for Obama. A family that has to unite, the stakes are high... Obama couldn't have asked for anything more. She had to protect her base. She executed it perfectly.
Keith: Reticence in the crowd... the 6 minutes about her own campaign, then introing his name, then warning of Republican presidency, then Yes We Can... a slow conversion to her crowd.
Tim: This is a room full of partisans who gave their life and money to her for 15 months. She had to appeal to them initially by thanking them, then transitioning to what's at stake here. ... The McCain camp would have preferred a more tepid speech. "Turning point election", "family", "yes we can" are phrases Obama would hope she'd use, and yes she did.
Chris: It was splendid. ... Look at her... she's totally in control.
Tim: She rose to the occasion.
Rep: Gregory Meeks, N.Y.: Wow! What a great speech! She talked about the historic nature of it. We are living a great time of American history, to have the media cover Clinton as you just did, wow! I love Bill Clinton, what a dedicated man... working to end HIV AIDS and poverty. He'll work for Obama, nobody will remember some of what he said, and I believe, were taken out of context. [Laffy: OY]
Elijah Cummings (Md.): A+
Chuck Todd: I think she was staking her claim as the leading female political figure of this country. Maybe that status was already hers, but she wanted to make sure. Non-college-educated white women is what McCain is obsessed with. Waitress moms, security moms, Al Gore/George Bush voters. If they win them narrowly in a bad economy year, they've done their job and Hillary didn't. This speech is a start to win them. This is her group. They will listen to her. Where do they send her to talk to them? On TV ads? To go after McCain's record on women's issues? ... She started to make the case: Supreme Court (code words for women's rights, abortion). Step 2: How to utilize her. Swing states are where she'd be effective, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc.
Hillary Clinton's concession, The Speech, finally! Liveblog
By GottaLaff
MSNBC is dissecting. Clinton is speaking. I'll be updating. New thread.
Hillary:[Thanks a roaring crowd with her family looking on. The crowd won't stop.] Well... this isn't exactly the party I planned, but I sure like the company. I'm grateful to all of you... who talked, sometimes argued with your friends and neighbors [applause]... See? You can be anything you want to be. [huge applause] [Telling campaign stories, to which you're already reacting in Comments, lol] Talking about votes not being counted... To all those who voted, you have inspired me, humbled me with your commitment to our country... 18 million of you from all walks of life [huge applause]... women, men, young, old, African American, Caucasian, rich poor, gay, straight... [applause]... We fought for [goes on to list various examples] ... all those who lost jobs, health care. I entered this race because public service is about solving problems... You'll always find me on the front lines of democracy fighting for the future. [huge applause, chants of "Hillary!"]
The way to continue our fight now... is to take our energy, passion, strength and do all WE CAN TO HELP ELECT BARACK OBAMA THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. [huge applause, some boos]... Today, as I SUSPEND my campaign, I congratulate him. I ENDORSE HIM AND THROW MY FULL SUPPORT BEHIND HIM. And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for him as for me... [some boos, lots of applause] I served with him, gone toe to toe in 22 debates, seen his strength, determination, grace... he's lived the American Dream [lists examples], and in this campaign has inspired so many. ... We need a president who can put this country back on the path to peace, prosperity, progress... put Barack Obama in office...
I understand that we all know it's been a tough fight, but the Dem party is a family. Come together around the ideals we share... we may have started on separate journeys, we're heading for same destination: To win in November. We all want an economy that sustains the American dream, etc.... Universal health care [applause]... It is a fight I will continue until every single American is insured, no exception, no excuses...
We all want an America defined by equality: Women's rights, gay rights, etc... unionization, help for caring for our families, restore America's standing, END THE WAR IN IRAQ, join with our allies to confront challenges... global warming.
I've been in public life for 4 decades [applause]... And we've voted 10 x for president, and Dems only won 3 of those times. The man who won 2 of those elections is with us today. [applause] We made tremendous progress in the '90s under a Dem. Just think how much MORE progress we could have made over the past 40 years with a Dem president: environment, economy, foreign policy, SUPREME COURT. Imagine if we had a Dem in the White House. We can't let this moment slip away.
The journey ahead will not be easy. ... but for as long as America has been existed, it's rejected "can't do" and gone for hard work... It is this optimism that Obama and I share... So today, I AM STANDING WITH SENATOR OBAMA TO SAY "YES WE CAN" [loud cheers, chants of "yes we can"] TOGETHER we will work hard to achieve universal health care... That's why we need to elect Barack Obama! ... Restore middle class... We're all Americans, no matter where we live... we must elect Barack Obama our president! We'll have to work hard to be energy independent, and on that day, we will be stronger, so we have to elect Barack Obama!.. We'll have to work hard to bring our troops home, and on the day we're as loyal to our troops as they are to us, and it will be a stronger America, so elect Obama!...
This is a turning point election. Will we go forward or stall and slip backwards? We've made progress. .. Could a woman really serve as commander in chief? We answered that one! [huge applause] And... could an African American be our president, and Obama has answered that one! [applause] Together we achieved milestones...
On a personal note... what it means to be a woman running: I was proud to be a woman, but I ran because I'd be the best president, but...[wild applause], but... I am a woman, and like millions of women, I know there are still barriers... I want to build an America that embraces the potential of every last one of us. I ran as a daughter, a mother who worried about my daughter's future... to build the future for her, others, we have to build equal opportunities, pay, respect for women, men alike [paraphrased]... Work toward achieving: No acceptable limits or prejudices in a 21 st Century .... You can be so proud that it will be UNremarkable for a woman to win primary state victories, or be in close race, or for a woman to be president of the U.S. and THAT IS TRULY REMARKABLE MY FRIENDS.
To those who are disappointed, especially the young people, it would break my heart in falling short of my goal I would discourage you from achieving yours. Get right back up and never listen to anyone who tells you you can't or shouldn't go on! [major applause] As we gather here today... we will someday launch a woman into the White House. The glass ceiling has about 18 million cracks in it, and the light is shining through, filling us all with the hope that the path will be easier next time. ... [lists examples of pioneers who fought for civil rights] Because of them, Barack Obama and I could wage a hard fought campaign, and because of them and you, you can take for granted that a woman or African American can be president. When that day arrives, when a woman takes the oath of office, we can all stand taller. You helped pave the way.
So if you think, If only, or What if, please don't go there. Every moment looking back keeps us from moving forward. Life is too short, time to precious. We have to work together for what still can be. I will work my heart out to make sure Obama is our next president...join me in that effort. [HUGE applause] To my supporters, etc... who stood with me.. thank you... [offers many thanks to various groups]
... None of us can go it alone. ... Our lives, freedom, happiness are advanced when we work together. Join forces to support Obama. We will stand united. ... I have never felt so blessed [someone yelled "we love you"]. ... Today I'm gonna keep on going... working to give every American the same opportunities I had... I will do it with a heart filled with gratitude, a love for our country, and with nothing but optimism and confidence for the days ahead... this is now our time, to do all we can, to make sure we add another Dem president to that small list of the last 40 years.. take back our country. Thank you all...
Hillary Clinton's concession, talking heads, Part 3: liveblog
By GottaLaff
MSNBC is dissecting. Clinton will be speaking. I'll be updating. New thread.
Pat Buchanan: She's wounded. There's a human element. Reagan was always defiant, as was Teddy Kennedy, right up to the end.
Rachel Maddow: She's finally on the move, coming out of her house. [Laffy Note: Wow. That IS news.]
Jonathan Alter: I think she can pull off an Al Gore concession speech. But will she release her delegates? Or go to the convention and allow her delegates to vote for her, stealing his thunder? That's important for how the convention will come across. They'll try to make either Monday or Tuesday night of the convention Hillary Night. Give her one night, and get it overwith so they can get on with the Obama coronation. The way she handles herself now will signal her level of enthusiasm. SHE has a strong interest in being enthusiastic, or she won't get the Obama support for her future endeavors. "Suspend" shouldn't be a yellow flag. The yellow flag would be if she stops short of a full-throated endorsement...leaving herself with Clintonian wiggle room. Although, if she uses "suspend" to keep her options open, we'll be all over that.
Keith: John Edwards suspended, for technical reasons, as a safety net, so she's entitled to some of that.
[The crowd's chanting "Hillary! Hillary!"]
Richard Wolffe: She may need to suspend, vs. end, her campaign to pay off her 30 million dollar debt. There are technical legal considerations on how to phrase. She has to get rid of that mountain of debt.
NEWSFLASH: SHE'S ALMOST THERE! The suspense!! ETA: "Close". "Soon". What a story!
Reporter Ron Allen: Crowd could reach 10,000. There are fire laws. She's often late.
SHE FINALLY GOT THERE. IN A CAR!!! DID YOU CATCH THAT... A CAR!! WHAT A REVELATION! About 5 minutes to go.
Tim: "Suspend" doesn't mean she'll come back. It's to pay off the debt. Obama will help by going to his big donors, who have maxed out to him, and ask them to help her.
Keith: AP report: The speech is directed at her supporters to back Obama. Is that enough?
Tim: Yes, crucial. Pivotal.
Keith: AP report: The speech is directed at her supporters to back Obama. Is that enough?
Tim: Yes, crucial. Pivotal.
Hillary Clinton's concession, talking heads, Part Two: liveblog
By GottaLaff
MSNBC is dissecting. I'll be updating. New thread.
Dana Milbank: It looks like one heck of a party here, she hasn't gotten a crowd like this in months. They're not defiant, no "Denver" chants. We've had anger, denial, bargaining, and finally, today, some acceptance. They're saying she has to get this right, unlike Tuesday night. McCauliffe will not intro her as next president of the U.S. today. But the party atmosphere is lacking the campaign enthusiasm, more like witnessing history. Not a hotbed of Obama enthusiasm here.
Hillary hasn't left her house yet. Things are running late. It's a 15-minute drive to SpeechLand.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, big Hillary supporter: I am wholeheartedly supporting Obama. We are enthusiastically committed to putting Florida in the win column for him. There's a stark contrast between Obama and McCain. We need him to win. Floridians are worried about more foreclosures, off shore drilling, health care is huge... Obama will establish universal health care... and the 100 years of war McCain promises.
Chris: Obama's only up by a point in the Gallup poll. That's scary for Democrats. Will Florida really be a good shot for Dems to plan on?
Debbie: Absolutely. The Obama campaign plans to play in Florida, they have the resources, and they already are setting up the ground operations they need. Obama appeals more to Jews, Hispanics, working families.
Chris: Voting problems?
Debbie: We have set up the system, finally, where we can manually recount votes. The Governor needs to be asked about that. He has professed to fix the problems.
SOME MOVEMENT OF HILLARY TO FINALLY GET TO HER DESTINATION. LATE START.
Richard Wolffe: The Clinton camp has never been entirely cooperative with the media, so we don't know what to expect. The Very Special Meeting: There were no aides there, so no news came out. Obama and Clinton being discreet. She has to exhibit leadership, show that their issues are the same and work together, but "look at what we've achieved". The balance is the hardest call for them. "What we've achieved" v. "Working for this guy". Woman's right to choose, so Obama's the guy for us.
Laffy Snark Note: Hillary's late. Does that indicate...reluctance? Or is it stagecraft? Coverage starts now in most markets, so her timing may be to create some pre-game and extra coverage. She hasn't left yet.
Chris: More drama, suspense, excitement, and now, when will she leave the house?
Tim Russert: First she delayed it by a day, but she understands that anticipation builds, but expectations will increase. This is an important speech. She needs an all out embrace of Obama. The Republicans just put out a 3-page summary of all the things Hillary has said about Obama. If the crowd responds negatively, how will she respond? She's prepped for that. She has to control that and turn it around. Support Obama, unify the party. Gore gave one of the most gracious comments in political history. Had he not been, had he not united the country so eloquently... Hillary, especially after Tuesday, caused concern among even her own supporters and needs a similar voice.... Every nuance, wink, phrase, syllable will be analyzed and she knows that. She's used to it. She's an effective speaker. Today, that's her mission.
CLINTON IS NOW 30 MINUTES LATE. Great. I have a wedding to go to. HER SPEECH WILL BE ABOUT 20 MINUTES LONG, AND WILL BE ABOUT CAMPAIGN, WOMEN'S ISSUES.
The National Building Museum is pretty. Commenter Chris doesn't think there are enough flags, though...snark.
Chris: Politicians are surgeons regarding their speeches and what they know will come out in the headlines tomorrow. She only has one shot at this headline. It has to be a direct endorsement. This is a make-up exam for what happened election night. I've never heard of an election speech so delayed, but she has a chance to do a make-up. It's got to be an endorsement.
Keith: She can discuss her platform and see how it works into support for him...
Chris: That's a negotiation, not an endorsement.
Keith: Okay, but if she says, this man will be a champion of women's rights etc...
Chris: That's a relay race...
Keith: Right. A relay race.
Hillary Clinton's concession, talking heads, Part One: liveblog
By GottaLaff (Note: I altered the post title to reflect this is MSNBC talk, not Hillary's speech)
MSNBC is dissecting. I'll be updating. Let's listen in:
Tim Russert: She has to fully embrace Obama today. Everyone will monitor every syllable. The thirst for change (v. experience) made the difference. This is the first time since 1980 a Clinton will have to concede an election, plus the end of a Bush and/or Clinton dynasty. People have to embrace Obama, unify, and beat John McCain: That needs to be her theme. Obama's campaign thinks she can help get him elected. The fact is, she's a major player in the Democratic party with a large voice, and can help him with women, Hispanics, blue collar voters. He needs her as a partner. He wants her help.
Keith Olbermann: Off her website: I will be speaking about we can rally the party behind Obama. Is that what this speech will be filled with, things that can be interpreted in two ways?
Tim: Yes, but also bring everyone together. It's in HER interest. She can't be seen in any way, shape or form, not giving him support. She can't be nominated in 2012 (if that were to happen) without the support of Obama supporters. They need each other. The Democrats need her to unite behind Obama, in June, not August. That was the message delivered, received, understood, and that's why we're here today.
Ron Allen, reporter: She will be very full-throated, supportive, and talk about the glass ceiling she that broke. One of her press people said she will emphasize the distance women have come in this country. And she's proud that she hung in there when people told her to get out. She'll also talk about issues: Health care especially. Also, she'll give a full endorsement to Obama. Her campaign will be dissected and she wouldn't want to be partly responsible for an Obama loss against McCain. Last night's meeting was just part of a continuing dialog, not as momentous as some are making it out to be. They have a relationship, they'll continue to have one. The timing of that meeting made a lot of sense, so they could clear the air and get on with it.
Hillary supporter, Rep. Steve Israel, New York: This is the first day of absolute unity. We don't want more Bush with McCain. We have an outstanding candidate, we're making history today. This is not a time to look back, but move forward and make sure McCain doesn't exploit our party... reverse the disastrous course of the Bush presidency.
Rachel Maddow, Eugene Robinson, and Pat Buchanan join in.
Rachel: How much distance will Hillary have to travel between her Tuesday speech and today? What would indicate the wrong signal?
Eugene: White hard-working voters wouldn't be somewhere she wants to go. Avoid giving her explanation of why Obama can't win the states she won. That argument undercuts his candidacy. She would mention her 17 million votes, expected, but not draw the conclusion that she's the better candidate.
Pat: A second problem for her: Insincerity, lavishing praise on Obama when she's feeling melancholy. She should stress their coming together because the country is at stake, and why they can't afford to lose. It's an audition.
Eugene: She has to say not only why the Dems have to win, but why Obama has to win.
Tim: (Chris asked if she'll be on the ticket) I don't know. The Clinton forces changed their argument quickly. Now she has issued her own statement that it's Obama's decision and she'll help in any way. And Obama pushed saying, he won't be rushed into this. It was his first opportunity to show he was the head of the party. The pros and cons are obvious to both sides. It'll be a cold calculation of whether she can help get him elected. Selecting Hillary to many of his supporters goes against Change. He said he wants to "turn the page". But, come August, he'll decide what would influence the swing states. If he's personally comfortable with her, and if she can help him win those states: Those are the questions he has to deal with, but any idea of her forcing her way in has been banished for good.
McCain Blog Watch Day 1
This is how slow the news today is. From the McCain campaign "blog"-
In case you missed it, today The Washington Post editorial board published an editorial about how the conditions on the ground in Iraq are greatly improving and despite what some are saying, the Iraq government and US Military are winning the war."While Washington's attention has been fixed elsewhere, military analysts have watched with astonishment as the Iraqi government and army have gained control for the first time of the port city of Basra and the sprawling Baghdad neighborhood of Sadr City, routing the Shiite militias that have ruled them for years and sending key militants scurrying to Iran. At the same time, Iraqi and U.S. forces have pushed forward with a long-promised offensive in Mosul, the last urban refuge of al-Qaeda. "
Huh.
Car bombings in Baghdad leave at least 5 dead
BAGHDAD—A suicide car bomb and another car packed with explosives targeted Iraqi police patrols Saturday on opposite sides of Baghdad, killing at least five people, police said.
more stories like thisThe suicide attacker rammed into a police patrol mid-afternoon in Nisoor Square on the capital's west side, killing a civilian and a policeman, police said. Another five people were wounded.
The other explosion took place nearly simultaneously across town at a crowded bus stop where passengers were lining up to catch rides to eastern Shiite neighborhoods, though police said the target was the passing convoy of a top Iraqi police general.
(snip)
Also Saturday, Iraqi police said they found five bodies in a mass grave south of Baghdad. The partly decomposed bodies were believed to be those of Iraqi soldiers, with military uniforms and boots, an officer said on condition of anonymity because an investigation was ongoing.
If I could find that McCain bumper sticker site I'd make one that says; "Re-defining "winning" every day".
Saturday Linkage
Still hot and muggy here- hopefully we'll have some more rain. (my intertubes are seriously clogged this am)
British Youngsters March Against Violent Crime
State GOP seeks Blagojevich-Obama tie
Cubans guard glasses on Lennon statue after thefts
The Drive-In Movie Turns 75
Divers survive dragon island ordeal in Indonesia
Cuba to provide free sex-change
Monkey God Named School Chairman
WWII Bomb Detonated In London
No Gay Marriages For California Clerk
Former NRCC Treasurer Embezzled $500,000, Court Papers Say
Fundraiser
Really, you have no idea how much Gotta and I dislike doing this, but with all the hours and energy we put into the blog, sometimes we just need to ask for donations.
I could tell you all of my woes (blah blah blah) or Gotta's, but it doesn't matter. If you feel that we've added something to your experience these past few months and have a few bucks, please consider hitting that PayPal button to the right and dropping a few coins in.
In the past year, this blog (due mostly to the extraordinary presence of Mr Schecter) has really blossomed and become a contender out in the intertubes, and it's ALL, and I mean ALL because you guys keep coming back.
We average 3500 hits a day, and if everyone could drop a fiver in the basket, well, I'd just plotz. That isn't going to happen, but let me say that any help you can give us will really be appreciated.
George Soros never returns my calls.
PS- Thank you very much to those who have contributed. Every bit helps.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Obama picks up HRC endorsement
By GottaLaff
Good to hear!
America's largest LGBT advocacy organization has put its support behind Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) in his run for the presidency as he pledges his support for LGBT citizens."The Human Rights Campaign has been at the forefront of the fight for GLBT equality and opportunity, and I am proud to have its endorsement," Senator Obama said. "Too often, the issue of GLBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. I look forward to working with HRC to end discrimination against GLBT Americans and to ensure that all of our citizens are treated with dignity and respect." [...]
Senator Obama also issued an open letter to the LGBT community today, pledging "real change for all LGBT Americans."
"It's wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation," he said. The Senator also touted his efforts during his time in the Illinois State Senate to protect LGBT citizens from discrimination, and to equalize federal tax and immigration law for same-sex spouses.
Senator Obama also supports repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as exclusively heterosexual on a federal level. He prefers civil unions with equal benefits, but says he won't stand in the way of the states' choices on how to recognize same-sex spouses. "As your President," Obama said, "I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws."
Click on the link for the full text of the statement, from the senator's LGBT website.
Gonzo gets a job!
By GottaLaff
Whose former Attorney General finally found work all-l-l by himself? Bill Clinton's? No-o-o. Jimmy Carter's? No again! George W. Bush's? Bingo! You get a cookie! And who's our wittle former A.G.? Who's our wittle moron? Gonzo is! My stars, looky how he's grown!
Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who was forced from his job amid a controversy over the firings of federal prosecutors, has been hired to provide assistance to a special master on a patent case.What a big boy he is! That's quite a step down, er up, from Attorney General of the whole U. S. of A.! He gets to be the assistant to a special master! Not just an ordinary master, nonono, a special one! Because that's just the kind of subservient little lad Gonzo is!
And he's not helping on just any old case, like, oh-h-h, say-y-y a Millennium Bomber. Nosireebob. This is a real live patent case! Wowzers! You can't beat that for excitement.
The New York Times reported April 13 that Gonzales had been unable to find a full-time job since leaving office in August in the wake of a scandal involving the firing of nine federal prosecutors. His lawyer didn't immediately return a call for comment.Well, well, well, good for Gonzo the Wonder Assistant. The way things are going, his next job will be as a gofer in a mail room somewhere... if they'll have him.
H/t: Bucky
McCain Website Launches New Blog
By Paddy
Okay. I'm tired and depressed. But, OMG, this is AWESOME!!!
Must. Monitor. Every. Day.
The McCain campaign has unveiled a new blog, dubbed "The McCain Report," that will allow supporters, reporters and bloggers to interact with the campaign. According to the campaign Website:The goal of this project is pretty straightforward: to provide journalists and bloggers with a little more insight into what's going on over here, to provide quotes and information you won't be able to get anywhere else, and to serve as a point of contact for online media.
I know you can see the excitement in my typing. "Insight" into the McCain campaign. What more could a girl ask for?
(wow- the video at the top of this post is the real video at the top of the McCain blog post. He's an ABBA fan. Erp)
The choice is Obama's, so ignore the 25,000 signatures
By GottaLaff
The decision about a running mate is purely Barack Obama's, remember? It's his choice. No pressure, because, as everyone knows, it's up to the nominee, who in this case would be Obama. Yes, only Obama:VoteBoth, the organization that is aggressively seeking to land Hillary Clinton on Barack Obama's presidential ticket, says it has upwards of 25,000 signatures on its petition calling for the New York senator to serve as No. 2.
Move along, just a few thousand people breathing down your neck, just ignore them.
"The choice is Sen. Obama's alone, and we hope to continue making the case to him that choosing Sen. Clinton would unite the Party and lead us to victory in November," he also said.See? Obama is the decider, nobody else is, just him. Oh, and there's this: There will be nagging and begging and screaming and tantruming and signature-collecting to reinforce that very sentiment. Because the choice that is his must be the one they choose for him:
Those who have signed the petition include several prominent Democrats, most of whom were backers of Clinton, including Govs. Ed Rendell and Tom Vilsack and Sens. Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein.
Since Obama officially clinched the nomination Tuesday night, several high-profile backers of Clinton have publicly urged she serve as the Illinois senator's running mate.
This reinforces Hillary's declaration that she is not seeking the position. Not her. It's so obvious, I don't know why she felt it necessary to even make the point. She's supportive that way, making superfluous points and all.
Arora said the organization will continue to step up its efforts for a unity ticket, and explore several different avenues for getting its message out. On Thursday, ardent Clinton support Lanny Davis, whose fierce support of the former presidential candidate has become a fixture on cable news shows, signed on to the group as a senior adviser.Barack Obama, June 5:
"The next time you hear from me about the vice presidential selection process will be when I have selected a vice president," he said. "If you hear secondhand accounts, rumors, gossip about the selection process, you can take it from me that it is wrong, because we're not going to be talking about it in the press."But Hillary supporters will talk to the press. It's perfectly fine though. They're just making sure Obama knows what he's doing. No pressure.
Nelson bill would abolish Electoral College
By Paddy
It's about time someone got smart about this. What part of "One person, One Vote" don't they understand? Oh and the Tuesday as election day has to go too- the farmers head in to market pretty much any day now.
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) introduced a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College on Friday, less than a week after the Democrats settled on how to handle delegates from Florida at their national convention.
“It’s time for Congress to really give Americans the power of one-person, one-vote, instead of the political machinery selecting candidates and electing our president,” Nelson said in a release announcing the amendment.
Nelson had announced he would offer the legislation in an address to his state’s senate in March.
Nelson said his principal argument for making the change is that the Electoral College permits a candidate with fewer votes nationally to win the presidency by capturing narrow victories in big states. In 2000, then-Vice President Al Gore won the popular votes but George W. Bush won the Electoral College.
Friday Evening Distraction
I found this when we were over at the original blogspot, and it freaks me out every time.
Faux News In Total Meltdown
Obama Sets Condition for Public Financing
By Paddy
I don't want him to take public financing, but at least he's controlling the message.
Sen. Barack Obama said he'll accept public financing for his campaign -- which would limit the amount of spending -- only if Sen. John McCain agrees to curb spending by the Republican National Committee, according to USA Today.
Said Obama: "I won't disarm unilaterally."
Meanwhile, The Hotline notes Obama campaign manager David Plouffe used the RNC's fundraising prowess to make a general election plea to supporters for cash.
Northern Indiana (me) Has Tornado Warnings
The teevee says they're about 25 minutes out (with severe thunderstorms), so I'm shutting down and unplugging the computer for a while. I'll be back as soon as I can.
Smile!!
**Note- I guess I shouldn't grump, the front went (like it always does) right up the edge on Indiana, along into the lakefront. Looks like some of those cities got pummelled, but we just got about 10 minutes of hard rain. At least the temp went down about 15 degrees.
RNC Calls Obama a Former "Street Organizer"
By Paddy
The website sucks, and the commercial sucks. They're not even really trying, just going for the dog whistle.
The Republican National Committee's new video about Sen. Barack Obama describes the former community organizer, who worked in the 1980s with churches and depressed areas of Chicago to provide job training and other projects, as a "street organizer."
"Street organizer"?
(snip)
Over at The Nation, Chris Hayes writes, "Nice. Frankly, in order to elicit the maximum degree of racial stereotyping I would have gone with 'ghetto operative' or 'slum captain' but I suppose that would have been too obvious."
Says Matthew Yglesias, "Stay classy, RNC!"
I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure "street organizer" was the job description of Superfly.
Donating can be fun!
Wowsers, kiddies! It's time for our fundraiser! I know it's something you've all been buzzing about with gleeful anticipation. We could hear you all the way out in California and Indiana.
Any donation is greatly appreciated, whether it's $5 or $50. "Why donate?" you may be asking. Because it's so much more pleasant when we can, you know, eat.
There's a nifty little Donation button to your right. Click on it and see what happens! Easy as pie!
Thank you in advance. We couldn't do this without you.
Love,
Paddy and Laffy
Bush's Iraq Report defense: The propaganda worked
By GottaLaff
As I watch the Dow drop to 326, I'm unnerved. Now I'm unnerved and disgusted:
Froomkin:
Yesterday's long-awaited Senate Intelligence Committee report further solidifies the argument that the Bush administration's most blatant appeals to fear in its campaign to sell the Iraq war were flatly unsupported. [...]This is the kind of convoluted BushCo logic that comes from the guy who also said:
The White House response? That officials in Congress and elsewhere were saying the same things about Iraq. Or in other words, that other people bought the administration line. It takes a lot of chutzpah to defend yourself against charges that you've engaged in a propaganda campaign by noting that it worked.
And:
Bush did succeed at one thing during his presidency: Convincing enough people of his lies to send a prosperous nation into an emotional, economic, moral, and geopolitical spiral.
Gallup poll: Clinton image sinks among African American voters
By GottaLaff
This is fascinating, considering the Clintons have had such a good relationship with the African American community in the past. Maybe all they should have thought twice before they "pushed a strategy of winning by exploiting tensions between Jews and African-Americans."
Shallow Thoughts: Secret Meeting Edition
By GottaLaff
Obama, Clinton Meet in D.C.
Obama Meets Secretly with Clinton
Obama Meets With Clinton
Obama and Clinton Meet in Washington
Sen. Feinstein Offers More Details About the Obama-Clinton Personal Meeting Held in Her Home Thursday Night
Shallow Thought:
Until there is something of real worth to report, don't.
$150... by July
By GottaLaff
As I type this, the Dow is down 276 points, and unemployment is up, to 5.5%. I've tried to post as much good news as possible, but this is unavoidable:
Hey, I'm just the messenger.The price of oil surged more than $6 a barrel Friday morning, the biggest gain in more than three months, sending the stock market into a nose-dive and reversing Thursday’s gains.
Investors are worried that the rising price of oil, coupled with bleak unemployment data that was released Friday morning, will continue to hurt businesses and suppress consumer spending in an already-weak economy.
In addition, a report by Morgan Stanley on Friday said that oil prices could reach $150 a barrel by July 4 because of higher demand in Asia. [...]
Crude oil prices were also pushed higher by a weaker dollar, which fell on the government jobs data.
Comments by Israel’s transportation minister on Friday that an attack on Iranian nuclear sites looked “unavoidable” also sent investors into a frenzy.
UPDATE: Mr. Laffy told me that he paid $4.66 per gallon for gas yesterday.
John Edwards says no to being vice president
By GottaLaff
No. Nyet. Non. Uh-uh:
It may be time to take John Edwards' name off the list of potential vice presidential candidates. The former presidential candidate, who was the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, continued to flatly maintain has no interest in the job. Traveling in Spain Friday, Edwards told two separate newspapers it’s not a role he is willing to take again.
“I already had the privilege of running for vice president in 2004, and I won't do it again," Edwards told El Mundo newspaper. He also made similar comments to El Pais.I always thought he should be Attorney General What do you think? No, what does he think?
But he has been more coy about serving for Obama in other ways, specifically as his attorney general.
Think happy thoughts.
Obama leads in Latino vote
By GottaLaff
The L.A. Times has a couple of pieces on the elections today. And guess what? All that talk about how the Latino vote will be a challenge for Obama? Not as much as they thought. He leads McCain by a wide margin among registered Latino voters. First, the concern:
[Hillary Clinton's] statement on the vice presidency was part of a minuet that has played out over the last several weeks as Obama's nomination appeared increasingly likely. Some Clinton supporters threatened to withhold their votes unless he ran with her; other Democrats called the pairing a "dream ticket" that would counter Obama's apparent weakness with some groups, including Latinos and working-class white voters.Now, the contradiction:
But there are signs that Obama begins the general election battle for Latinos with significant advantages.
A new Gallup Poll summary of surveys taken in May shows Obama winning 62% of Latino registered voters nationwide, compared with just 29% for McCain. Others have found a wide gap as well. The pro-Democratic group Democracy Corps compiled surveys from March through May that showed Obama with a 19-point lead among Latinos. And a Times poll published last month showed Obama leading McCain among California Latinos by 14 points.
Now does that sound like someone who's struggling? This is not to say he can coast, but it's a great start.Si se puede!
Republicans say McCain's numbers among Latinos at the moment are disappointing -- far below the goals set by a campaign that has long believed McCain could challenge the traditional Democratic dominance of the Latino electorate.
The numbers suggest that McCain's image has suffered after a competitive GOP primary in which he renounced some of the moderate views on immigration popular among many Latinos.
Dianne Feinstein Talks About Obama-Clinton Meeting
By Paddy
Just in case you still care.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) -- host of the private meeting last night between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton -- tells CNN the two met at 9 pm for about an hour with no one else in the room and mentioned they were laughing.
Feinstein said Clinton "called her late afternoon to see if she could use her house. Campaign aides were there but waited in the study until they were done speaking."
More details from the New York Times: "The California senator had set up two chairs facing each other. She served them water. Nothing else. Two aides were sent to Mrs. Feinstein's study. And Secret Service agents stayed outside."
McCain bumbles the delivery
By Paddy
Buyer's remorse sets in.
NEW ORLEANS – As Democrats buzzed this week about their new de facto nominee, his historic candidacy and the unlikely political demise of Hillary Rodham Clinton, Republican circles were humming with another topic.
The topic: Is there a way John McCain can win the presidency without giving another speech?
That’s overstated, of course, but the concern about McCain’s wooden and stumbling address before a few hundred supporters here Tuesday night – the same evening as Barack Obama’s soaring acceptance address before thousands of screaming fans – has sent something of a shudder through the party and left GOP operatives shaking their heads in dismay.
“Not good,” a McCain adviser conceded about the dueling images, speaking on condition of anonymity like others interviewed because of the sensitivity involved in critiquing their nominee’s presentation. “It’s never going to be his strong suit, and it will always be Obama’s.”
(snip)
“They were appalled at the environment the candidate was standing in and his performance,” said this strategist. “It’s a serious problem — the contrast is so clear that it’s demoralizing. And it deflated our balloon last night. When the guys on Fox are trash-talking, you know it’s bad.”
California Same-sex weddings to start at 5 p.m. June 16
by Paddy
Congratulations to all my GLBT friends!! If I got a chance to screw-up a marriage, everyone should.
Wedding bells will begin ringing for California's same-sex couples at 5 p.m. June 16, state officials said Thursday.
And San Francisco city officials are planning to marry large numbers of couples, possibly up to 500 a day, late into the evening and for days on end.
The state Office of Vital Records notified county clerks across the state late Thursday that they could begin issuing marriage licenses as soon as the Supreme Court's decision granting marriage rights to same-sex couples takes effect.
"Its decision on same-sex marriage will be final at 5 p.m. June 16, 2008, (and) the California Department of Public Health's Office of Vital Records directs county clerks to begin using the new state marriage license forms at that time," said Suanne Buggy, spokeswoman for the records office.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said this week he wanted the city to begin issuing licenses "the minute" the Supreme Court decision takes effect. City officials are coordinating volunteers to help issue licenses and perform ceremonies, City Administrator Ed Lee said.
Clinton-Backing Congressman Says Clinton Camp Pushed Racist Strategy
By Paddy
Now this is disturbing. Sigh, and the spokesperson didn't deny it.
...But threatening to steal some thunder from the rapprochement comes Rep. Rob Andrews, D-NJ -- fresh from his primary loss to Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-NJ -- who tells the Newark Star-Ledger that it may be tough for the party to unify behind Obama since the Clinton camp "has engaged in some very divisive tactics and rhetoric it should not have."
Before the April 22 Pennsylvania primary, Andrews says, a "high-ranking person" in the Clinton campaign "pushed a strategy of winning by exploiting tensions between Jews and African-Americans.
"There have been signals coming out of the Clinton campaign that have racial overtones that indeed disturb me," Andrews said. "Frankly, I had a private conversation with a high-ranking person in the campaign ... that used a racial line of argument that I found very disconcerting. It was extremely disconcerting given the rank of this person. It was very disturbing."
The Clinton campaign's response, from spox Phil Singer: "Comments like these, coming so soon after Congressman Andrews' crushing defeat, are sad and divisive."
**NOTE-
We're having a fundraiser, and if you feel that we've added something to your experience these past few months and have a few bucks, please consider hitting that PayPal button to the right and dropping a few coins in. Thank you.
BREAKING (?)- Harry Reid "Officially" Endorses Barack Obama
Yawn. MSNBC breathlessly just announced.
The link-
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Friday formally announced his support for Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), the party’s presumptive presidential nominee.
“Over the past 16 months, tens of millions of Americans from all walks of life have been inspired to support Barack Obama's historic campaign for President, and with good reason: he is a once-in-a-generation leader who connects with the hopes and dreams of the American people and will deliver the long-overdue change that our country desperately needs,” Reid stated.
Friday Round Up
By Paddy
It's been a wild week. The Democratic Party of the United States of America has nominated an African American man to be it's nominee for the Presidency. Just wow.
Churches unite against U.S. torture
Schumer Is Criticized By Prague, Poles, Romanians
Blogger spreads the gospel of science
Obama Looks To Put Virginia In Play The Wall Street Journal reports that on the "first full day after Hillary Clinton signaled their rivalry was over," Barack Obama campaigned in southwestern Virginia, "wasting no time reaching out to the sort of rural and small-town white voters who shunned him in the Democratic primary -- and who he will need in November."
Clancy Candy, Bucky Chicken Soup. (get well soon bud)
2 U.S. lawmakers demand freedom for Chinese Muslims held at Guantánamo
Gadgets For Girls: What Do Women Want?
McCain Says He's Not Running Away From Bush USA Today reports on its front page that John McCain "said he won't try to 'separate' himself from a weakened President Bush or his unpopular handling" of the war in Iraq.
Ark. academic conference examines TV hit `Buffy'
Blackwater opens San Diego training center
Young voters: Obama's race as an asset, non-issue
More Iraq Troop Pullouts This Year "Possible" The Washington Post this morning interviews "the No. 2 commander of US military forces in Iraq," who said that "the withdrawal of most of the American troops that made up the 'surge' has not harmed the war effort, adding that it was 'certainly possible' thousands more could be pulled out later this year."
Pic via Cat of course.
Geraldine Ferraro wants Obama to pay Clinton’s debt
By Paddy
I'm guessing the Obama campaign can't sleep at night for worrying about what Geraldine wants, don't you think?
Geraldine Ferraro has a plan for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) to recoup her sizable campaign debt: Have Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) fundraisers pick up the tab.
(snip)
When questioned about Clinton fundraisers being asked to join the Obama campaign, Ferraro told The Hill, “These are the people raising hundreds of thousands of dollars. I would hope that [Obama] would do the same thing with his fundraisers to pay off Hillary’s debt.”
UPDATE- Ouch.
Clinton Campaign Owes More Than $30 Million
**NOTE-
We're having a fundraiser, and if you feel that we've added something to your experience these past few months and have a few bucks, please consider hitting that PayPal button to the right and dropping a few coins in. Thank you.
Mich. governor sticking with Clinton for now
Ok, I'm breathlessly waiting for one of my Michigander friends to explain this one to me. It just seems excessively slavish to Clinton, imho.
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm isn't switching her support quite yet to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
Granholm and Lieutenant Governor John Cherry both endorsed New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton last October. They're among seven Michigan Democratic superdelegates who backed Clinton.
(snip)
Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said Thursday that, while the governor has made it clear she'll support the Democratic nominee, she won't make a formal statement supporting Obama until after Clinton announces a decision on her campaign.
Clinton plans to hold an event in Washington Saturday to thank supporters and urge them to back Obama's candidacy.
Pic via Cat of course.
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