Eradicating an ugly Bush stain: E.P.A. Objects to Coal-Powered Plant in S. Dakota

By GottaLaff

There is no such thing as clean coal. Let's hope that the ObamAdministration fully realizes that. This is a good start, though, toward eradicating yet another filthy, toxic Bush stain:

The chairman of the Public Utilities Commission said the Environmental Protection Agency had filed objections to an air quality permit a state agency had granted for the proposed coal-fired Big Stone II power plant. “This is a signal that the Obama administration is taking a much harder look at coal power from the previous administration,” said Darrell Gerber, a program coordinator for the group Clean Water Action, which along with the Sierra Club opposed the plant. [...] The 580-megawatt plant is planned by the Otter Tail Power Company and four other utilities for the Milbank area in the northeastern corner of South Dakota.

Obama Victory Day: Odds and ends

By GottaLaff

Back to Obama Victory Day (I'll be updating):

CNN: Obama only needs 7 now.

Nora O'Donnell: In South Dakota, 68% want Obama to pick Hillary as a running mate. However, there is some healing taking place. Many of Hillary's supporters are losing their initial hostility toward Obama.

Here's a list of superdelegates (by name) picked up by Obama today. He's had over 20. He's gotten ten pledged delegates that used to belong to John Edwards.

Chris Matthews: If Obama gives us a real picture of the change he's offering, he can steal the headlines back from Hillary and (v.p. story).

Tim Russert: Tonight McCain wants to crash the Democratic party, and talk to Democrats and Independents. A senior McCain aid said that they want to lay out why McCain is the true maverick, the true independent to bring about change, and separate him from Bush from the environment, energy and Iraq War.

Keith: That might go a long way with disappointed Hillary voters, except for the Iraq War. Won't that backfire?

Tim: He'll say he's better trained to "manage". Also, what's important is the stagecraft tonight. It's the first time we'll see the Obama/McCain contrast, as the 2 nominees. What do they give us, how do we feel about them as potential presidents? McCain knows he needs improvement... from the podium.

Chris: McCain says Hillary didn't lose by the numbers, but because of the pundits and commentators. He's trying to separate Obama from white women, and now the media. This is real politics. What is his beef with the media???

Snubbing Hillary? Final Primaries Open thread

By GottaLaff

I'll be updating as the conversations continue:

MSNBC's Chris Matthews:
Hillary's opened the door by bringing up the vice presidency, saying she's "open" to it. This means Obama has to confront her. Now he's in the position of having to snub her.

Tim Russert:
This is it. This is the real thing, finally. We can't take our eyes off the big picture. A freshman senator from Illinois, the self-described "skinny black kid from Chicago" has defeated a former First Lady, Hillary Clinton, the Clinton machine, and we need to focus on how historic this night really is.... In 45 years this August was MLK's "I have a dream" speech. This man, Barack Obama, as he says, "with the funny name" is going to be the Democratic nominee tonight.

... Many Obama supporters feel she has rained on his parade. Hillary supporters are saying, "you better be gracious." Would Senator Obama be doing this if things were reversed? People are saying, "This is amazing! Barack Obama... beat Hillary Clinton?!" Tonight it will be official.

Chris: If Hillary had not backed the Iraq War, would she be where she is tonight? I don't think so.

Tim: Hillary decided to run as the inevitable nominee.. had money, had endorsements, the machine, the experience. "This race will be over Feb. 5" she said. When Obama won in Iowa, everything went off the rails. From Feb. 5-19, he got 11 victories in a row. He got 120 elected delegates. Look at the scoreboard tonight: He'll win by about 120. ... It happened in February.

Chuck Todd: We're close to saying it's effectively over. He needs 14 delegates. He'll get a minimum of 15 tonight. If he loses one of those two states: He's going to speak after Montana closes, where he's more confidant of a comfortable win. Losing S. Dakota narrowly won't rain on his parade.

This post is already getting too long. I'm on to another post.

The Hillary part of Barack Obama's South Dakota speech

Here's what Obama had to say about Hillary in his speech:

"I know there have been alot of Democrats who have been concerned about whether or not the party is going to be able to come together after this long contest. And whether Clinton supporters will support Obama and whether Obama supporters will support Clinton," he said. "Listen, first of all, Sen. Clinton is an outstanding public servant, she has worked tirelessly on this campaign, she has been a great senator for the state of New York and she is going to be a great asset when we go into November to make sure that we defeat the Republicans. That I can promise you."

Obama speaks in Mitchell, South Dakota

By GottaLaff

I shall try to liveblog Barack Obama's speech at a rally in South Dakota, as long as CNN stays on it. Yes, I shall. He seems energized, more than usual (I cut this way down so I could get to the last paragraph):

Obama: I've been running for about 15 months, which means there are babies born, walking and talking since I started.[...] There's such a thing as being too late, and that hour's almost upon us. There are 2 wars. (goes on about how he was anti-Iraq war) We have struggles here at home. (goes on about that: need for better income, health care, schools) We cannot wait to end the war and fix these problems (paraphrased). [...]

Senator Clinton is going to win Puerto Rico, I want to congratulate her for that. People ask if our supporters will support each other. She's an outstanding public servant (goes on about her), and we will go on to defeat the Republicans in November. Whatever our differences, they pale in comparison to the other side.

No matter what else happens, the name George W. Bush won't be on the ballot. BUT, his policies will, because McCain (a war hero, blah blah) is running for Bush's 4th term. He goes on to say how McCain will continue Bush's policies.

War in Iraq, he thinks it's successful. It isn't. (paraphrased). McCain wants to continue the war, I don't. [...] McCain and Bush opposed the G.I. Bill that gives full college benefits to our veterans. I'm for it. That's what this election's all about. [...]

Somebody may have fainted. That happens sometimes, can we get some help up here? If you guys are feeling hot and faint, go in the shade and get some water. Okay, some folks are coming. [...]

One last ingredient: We have to come together, stop being divided. ... It's about YOU. Your hopes, dreams... the American dream... That's what America's all about. I'm not perfect, I won't be a perfect president, but I'll always tell you what I think, and will work hard to make your lives better. I will think about you when I'm in the White House. But I need you to vote, and then be involved in the campaign, pay attention to debates, the issues. It's about you and how important you are.

He then tells this hilarious story of having an AWFUL day. He gets to this tiny southern town he promised to visit after having just a terrible night before, and awful, draggy, sleepy, cranky morning. He drives an hour and a half, and there are 20 people in this teensy little town to see him. He shakes hands, etc. when he hears a voice all fired up, shouting. Everyone else thinks it's normal, this voice. A little tiny woman, about 60, smiles and says, 'fired up!'. She's a member of the city council there, and is famous for these chants, "fired up, ready to go". She goes on for 20 minutes with these chants, upstaging Obama. After awhile, he starts to feel fired up, ready to go, so he joins the chant. For the rest of the day, he'd repeat the chant to his staff. Which goes to show you how one voice can change a room... and then it can change a city... or state.. or a nation... or the world. One voice can change the world. Are you fired up?(crowd: FIRED UP!) Ready to go? (crowd: READY TO GO!) Let's go change the world.