Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Obama Has $134 million in the Bank
According to USA Today, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama began October with nearly $134 million in the bank. The numbers illustrate his vast financial advantage over John McCain, his Republican rival, in the final stretch of the contest. McCain ended September with $47 million in the bank. Obama, who raised a record-shattering $150 million in September, filed his campaign finance report with the Federal Election Commission overnight. The numbers became available on the FEC website Tuesday morning.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Obama with lead after DNC Convention
According to the LA Times, Democratic Candidate Barack Obama leads rival John McCain 49% to 45% in a new poll. The point spread returns to essentially the same levels seen before the conventions. With fewer than seven weeks to go, the presidential campaign has essentially returned to where it was before the national conventions, with Democrat Barack Obama having the slimmest of leads over Republican John McCain, according to a national poll released this morning.
The poll, conducted this month by Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, shows Obama leading McCain 49% to 45%, according to the university’s website. The four percentage point spread is slightly narrower that the August poll, which had Obama up 47% to 42%.
The poll is based on 987 likely voters questioned from Sept. 11 to Sept. 16 and has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points either way. Although the poll results are just beyond the margin of error, they are too broad to explain the electoral vote which will actually determine the general election.
The poll, conducted this month by Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, shows Obama leading McCain 49% to 45%, according to the university’s website. The four percentage point spread is slightly narrower that the August poll, which had Obama up 47% to 42%.
The poll is based on 987 likely voters questioned from Sept. 11 to Sept. 16 and has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points either way. Although the poll results are just beyond the margin of error, they are too broad to explain the electoral vote which will actually determine the general election.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Gov. Palin's Comments on Community Organizers is Slammed
According to USA Today, "Community organizer' slams attract support for Obama. "They insulted the very idea that ordinary people have a role to play in our political process," campaign manager David Plouffe wrote Thursday in an early-morning fundraising e-mail. "Let's clarify something for them right now. Community organizing is how ordinary people respond to out-of-touch politicians and their failed policies."
Obama moved to Chicago after college and did church-based organizing to help people who lost their jobs when steel mills closed.
"I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities," Palin said to an eruption of cheers. She was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska (population: 9,780) from 1996 to 2002. Giuliani was interrupted with boos and laughter as soon as he uttered the phrase. "OK, OK, maybe this is the first problem on the resume," he said, laughing.
Jerry Kellman is the man who hired Obama as an organizer for the Developing Communities Project in 1985 at a salary of $10,000 a year. Obama's job: find out what people needed, be it job training programs, asbestos removal or potholes filled, and help them work together to get action from their elected officials.
The South Side Chicago area was devastated by factory closings and pollution, Kellman says, and people were discouraged by poverty and discrimination. "They had to be motivated to come out and try again and work with people they didn't necessarily see eye to eye with and maybe didn't even like," he says. He says Obama interviewed them, helped them strategize and "brought out their gifts."
The experience taught Obama to listen well and get along with all kinds of people, Kellman says. Obama says it gave him the grass-roots model for his highly successful presidential campaign.
Ron Walters, a top aide in Jesse Jackson's 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns, said Jackson's experience as a community organizer and civil rights worker "was systematically pooh-poohed as not important. Here we have the same thing. Barack Obama offers it as one aspect of his experience, and again it is systematically devalued."
Walters says he doesn't understand why — since organizing provides the same close connection with people that Palin claims from being a small-town mayor. Top Obama strategist David Axelrod was also puzzled. "They can demean service in the community," he said on Obama's plane Thursday, "but I think most people appreciate it."
Community service groups reacted strongly Thursday. Maude Hurd, president of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), said her group helps people learn leadership skills so they can work for better schools, wages and treatment from financial institutions. She said the "condescending attacks" were disappointing. A coalition of faith-based groups said political leaders should be thanking community organizers, not insulting them.
Republican John McCain's campaign made a terrible strategic mistake, says David Beckwith, executive director of the Needmor Fund, which funds community organizing across the country, and a board member of the Neighborhood Funders Group. He said the speeches made fun of "the people who are organized, not just the people who are doing the organizing. These are people who are deeply engaged in public life, and there are millions of them."
McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said Palin's remarks were "a direct response to critics who had belittled her executive experience, in particular her experience as mayor. Certainly community organizers serve a valued function in civic affairs."
Several Republicans attending the convention said Thursday that they have nothing against community organizers. Former New Jersey governor Tom Kean said he worked with many of them when he ran a camp for underprivileged children years ago in New Hampshire. "Community organizing is a very valuable thing," he said.
He and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Palin and Giuliani were trying to underscore what they contend are Obama's slight qualifications for the presidency. "It goes to the issue of what has he run, what has he done. He's run nothing. He's accomplished not much," Pawlenty said.
Kellman says he left the organizing project a year after hiring Obama — and left Obama in charge. "He was director of the project for two years," Kellman says, and met the big challenge of stabilizing and expanding its church and foundation funding.
"He took something that was really flimsy and built it into something strong," Kellman says. "He made sure that when he left, there was something that would survive his leaving."
Obama moved to Chicago after college and did church-based organizing to help people who lost their jobs when steel mills closed.
"I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities," Palin said to an eruption of cheers. She was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska (population: 9,780) from 1996 to 2002. Giuliani was interrupted with boos and laughter as soon as he uttered the phrase. "OK, OK, maybe this is the first problem on the resume," he said, laughing.
Jerry Kellman is the man who hired Obama as an organizer for the Developing Communities Project in 1985 at a salary of $10,000 a year. Obama's job: find out what people needed, be it job training programs, asbestos removal or potholes filled, and help them work together to get action from their elected officials.
The South Side Chicago area was devastated by factory closings and pollution, Kellman says, and people were discouraged by poverty and discrimination. "They had to be motivated to come out and try again and work with people they didn't necessarily see eye to eye with and maybe didn't even like," he says. He says Obama interviewed them, helped them strategize and "brought out their gifts."
The experience taught Obama to listen well and get along with all kinds of people, Kellman says. Obama says it gave him the grass-roots model for his highly successful presidential campaign.
Ron Walters, a top aide in Jesse Jackson's 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns, said Jackson's experience as a community organizer and civil rights worker "was systematically pooh-poohed as not important. Here we have the same thing. Barack Obama offers it as one aspect of his experience, and again it is systematically devalued."
Walters says he doesn't understand why — since organizing provides the same close connection with people that Palin claims from being a small-town mayor. Top Obama strategist David Axelrod was also puzzled. "They can demean service in the community," he said on Obama's plane Thursday, "but I think most people appreciate it."
Community service groups reacted strongly Thursday. Maude Hurd, president of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), said her group helps people learn leadership skills so they can work for better schools, wages and treatment from financial institutions. She said the "condescending attacks" were disappointing. A coalition of faith-based groups said political leaders should be thanking community organizers, not insulting them.
Republican John McCain's campaign made a terrible strategic mistake, says David Beckwith, executive director of the Needmor Fund, which funds community organizing across the country, and a board member of the Neighborhood Funders Group. He said the speeches made fun of "the people who are organized, not just the people who are doing the organizing. These are people who are deeply engaged in public life, and there are millions of them."
McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said Palin's remarks were "a direct response to critics who had belittled her executive experience, in particular her experience as mayor. Certainly community organizers serve a valued function in civic affairs."
Several Republicans attending the convention said Thursday that they have nothing against community organizers. Former New Jersey governor Tom Kean said he worked with many of them when he ran a camp for underprivileged children years ago in New Hampshire. "Community organizing is a very valuable thing," he said.
He and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Palin and Giuliani were trying to underscore what they contend are Obama's slight qualifications for the presidency. "It goes to the issue of what has he run, what has he done. He's run nothing. He's accomplished not much," Pawlenty said.
Kellman says he left the organizing project a year after hiring Obama — and left Obama in charge. "He was director of the project for two years," Kellman says, and met the big challenge of stabilizing and expanding its church and foundation funding.
"He took something that was really flimsy and built it into something strong," Kellman says. "He made sure that when he left, there was something that would survive his leaving."
Monday, September 1, 2008
Republican Candidate McCain Chooses Alaska Gov. Palin
In a surprising move, Republican Candidate John McCain announced that his running mate is Republican Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Gov. Palin is NOT well-known. We have learned she has been governor of Alaska since 2006, and before that Palin was mayor of Wasilla (population of less than 10,000). She also was runner-up in the Miss Alaska contest of 1984. Palin is 44 years old, has a lifetime membership in the National Rifle Association (NRA), and enjoys mooseburgers. Her social politics: she wants to outlaw ALL abortions and opposes gay marriage. She was FOR Alaska’s “bridge to nowhere” before she was AGAINST it.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Obama raises $51 million in July
According to the LA Times, Democratic Candidate Barack Obama raised $51 million in July. Pushing the total he has raised since his presidential quest began to more than $390 million.
His take for the month dipped slightly from the $52 million he raised in June. But he nearly matched the roughly $53 million raised by rival Sen. John McCain and the Republican National Committee combined in July.
His take for the month dipped slightly from the $52 million he raised in June. But he nearly matched the roughly $53 million raised by rival Sen. John McCain and the Republican National Committee combined in July.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Obama to Speak at Invesco Field
According to USA Today, Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, will deliver his acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos football team. The stadium can seat about 76,000, nearly four times the crowd that can be accommodated at Denver's Pepsi Center, the basketball arena where the Democrats will hold their nominating convention.
The decision to move out of the convention hall heightens the symbolism of a speech already laden with historic significance. The acceptance speech by Obama, the first African-American to be nominated for president by a major party, falls on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have A Dream" speech calling for racial equality.
The decision to move out of the convention hall heightens the symbolism of a speech already laden with historic significance. The acceptance speech by Obama, the first African-American to be nominated for president by a major party, falls on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have A Dream" speech calling for racial equality.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Obama's Leadership Skills
Barack Obama's presidential campaign is a sight to behold for many reasons, but among the least appreciated is its allergy to the disunity and spatting that generally convulses even the most successful of endeavors.
Obama, who never managed so much as a newsstand, has turned out to be a fairly remarkable leader of a what's becoming a billion dollar enterprise.
Here's a look at the principles responsible for his success:
1. A challenging, clearly-defined mission.
Win the Democratic nomination. Ok, that's obvious. But in November of 2006, Obama had a handful of wealthy Jewish donors from Chicago ready to raise money, a few Democratic strategy types who stood ready to put a campaign together, and not much of anything else. The challenge was immense, and the folks who joined the Obama campaign early on -- this was when Hillary Clinton was the frontrunner -- came aboard because they believed in Obama the challenge, not because they expected glory or material rewards. Salaries weren't competitive with the Clinton campaign's either. Obama attracted a large number of ideological Democrats who either had reason to dislike the Clintonian influence over the party or who believed that Obama stood at the crossroads between history and hope.
2. Clear lines of authority, with budget power appropriately vested in the campaign manager.
David Plouffe was named campaign manager and given the portfolio of essentially building an airplane as it was speeding down the runway. Plouffe's authority did not derive from his personal relationship with Barack Obama; indeed, Plouffe really didn't interact much with Obama before the campaign. Instead, it derived from the decisions he made that Obama later ratified. A corollary: Obama's best friend, Marty Nesbitt, was named campaign treasurer. That meant that Nesbitt, too, had oversight functions about spending and could make sure that Obama's personal values were reflected in the decisions made by the campaign.
David Axelrod would handle strategy, always a kind of messy and intrusive portfolio, but the strategy was pretty clear from the start: this is a change election, and Obama's the change agent.
Robert Gibbs would handle the press; and handle is a good word, because Obama's relationship with the press has been fascinating as it has evolved.
Their subordinates were generally given tasks and clear lines of authority.
3. The tone from the top.
Much has been written about Plouffe's preternatural unflappability, but his attitude helps confirm a basic principle of psychology: when the boss is freaked, employees get freaked. When the boss is calm, employees tend to remain calm.
But there's Obama's tone, too. Generally happy. "No drama." That's made clear to new employees, who feel the presence of the dictum as they go about their work. Drama disappoints Obama. No one wants to disappoint Obama. So -- if there are conflicts -- staffers are advised to work them out by themselves. A social cuing effect helps to cement the bond here; employees see that everyone else is getting along and feel pressure to get along, too.
4. Protecting Obama's public image at all costs
This one's also obvious, but it has been a priority from day one. The type of people drawn to the campaign are the type of people who would be angry at themselves if they somehow distorted the carefully crafted image that Obama and guru Gibbs et. al. had worked to create.
5. The personality cult
Not meant as an insult or a reference to messianic fervor; I mean more a reflection of Obama's personality. Obama is an occasionally fastidious perfectionist. He expects a high level of professional integrity from his staff; he expects a higher level of execution. When things go wrong, Obama doesn't just leave the aftermath to his subordinates, he actively helps to clean it up.
6. Decisions made quickly and decisively.
Occasionally, Obama temporizes. But just as often, he endorses quick, clear decision-making.
7. The freedom to do things differently.
Let the Clintons run their campaign the traditional way. Obama had nothing to lose and everything to gain, and so his campaign could experiment; they were trying to accomplish something that no challenger had every before accomplished, so they could afford to try new things, to throw out the old rulebooks, to ignore established habits of mind, and take some risks.
Obama, who never managed so much as a newsstand, has turned out to be a fairly remarkable leader of a what's becoming a billion dollar enterprise.
Here's a look at the principles responsible for his success:
1. A challenging, clearly-defined mission.
Win the Democratic nomination. Ok, that's obvious. But in November of 2006, Obama had a handful of wealthy Jewish donors from Chicago ready to raise money, a few Democratic strategy types who stood ready to put a campaign together, and not much of anything else. The challenge was immense, and the folks who joined the Obama campaign early on -- this was when Hillary Clinton was the frontrunner -- came aboard because they believed in Obama the challenge, not because they expected glory or material rewards. Salaries weren't competitive with the Clinton campaign's either. Obama attracted a large number of ideological Democrats who either had reason to dislike the Clintonian influence over the party or who believed that Obama stood at the crossroads between history and hope.
2. Clear lines of authority, with budget power appropriately vested in the campaign manager.
David Plouffe was named campaign manager and given the portfolio of essentially building an airplane as it was speeding down the runway. Plouffe's authority did not derive from his personal relationship with Barack Obama; indeed, Plouffe really didn't interact much with Obama before the campaign. Instead, it derived from the decisions he made that Obama later ratified. A corollary: Obama's best friend, Marty Nesbitt, was named campaign treasurer. That meant that Nesbitt, too, had oversight functions about spending and could make sure that Obama's personal values were reflected in the decisions made by the campaign.
David Axelrod would handle strategy, always a kind of messy and intrusive portfolio, but the strategy was pretty clear from the start: this is a change election, and Obama's the change agent.
Robert Gibbs would handle the press; and handle is a good word, because Obama's relationship with the press has been fascinating as it has evolved.
Their subordinates were generally given tasks and clear lines of authority.
3. The tone from the top.
Much has been written about Plouffe's preternatural unflappability, but his attitude helps confirm a basic principle of psychology: when the boss is freaked, employees get freaked. When the boss is calm, employees tend to remain calm.
But there's Obama's tone, too. Generally happy. "No drama." That's made clear to new employees, who feel the presence of the dictum as they go about their work. Drama disappoints Obama. No one wants to disappoint Obama. So -- if there are conflicts -- staffers are advised to work them out by themselves. A social cuing effect helps to cement the bond here; employees see that everyone else is getting along and feel pressure to get along, too.
4. Protecting Obama's public image at all costs
This one's also obvious, but it has been a priority from day one. The type of people drawn to the campaign are the type of people who would be angry at themselves if they somehow distorted the carefully crafted image that Obama and guru Gibbs et. al. had worked to create.
5. The personality cult
Not meant as an insult or a reference to messianic fervor; I mean more a reflection of Obama's personality. Obama is an occasionally fastidious perfectionist. He expects a high level of professional integrity from his staff; he expects a higher level of execution. When things go wrong, Obama doesn't just leave the aftermath to his subordinates, he actively helps to clean it up.
6. Decisions made quickly and decisively.
Occasionally, Obama temporizes. But just as often, he endorses quick, clear decision-making.
7. The freedom to do things differently.
Let the Clintons run their campaign the traditional way. Obama had nothing to lose and everything to gain, and so his campaign could experiment; they were trying to accomplish something that no challenger had every before accomplished, so they could afford to try new things, to throw out the old rulebooks, to ignore established habits of mind, and take some risks.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Jesse Jackson on Obama
Jesse Jackson may have just overstayed his welcome. But because of Jesse's heightened position in the media, what he said about cutting Obama's nuts off seemed almost insane. His comments are more than strange, especially in the context of the way American society has always feared and been allured by the black man's genitalia--from it being cut off before a lynching to lynch parties gathering because a white woman made a false accusation of rape against a black man and on to the more contemporary phenomenon of "Mandigo parties" (if you don't know what they are, look it up).
Jesse's statement was more than a little disturbing when you consider this country's past.
It makes you wonder what in the hell was Jesse thinking about? I'm sure there are greater thinkers who will tackle the psychology and motivation for Jesse's statement in a much better way than I ever could.But what Jesse Jackson said was so ridiculous and not only that, but he did something that I've been praying he and other civil rights leaders of old wouldn't do. He has put comments out there that'll give all the wrong people--to be blunt, those specific people who like to see this sort of conflict, especially between two prominent black people-- the ammunition they need to try to exploit the connection blacks have developed with Obama.
Nothing that Obama has been saying in his speeches in black churches or anywhere else about personal responsibility is wrong or elitist. He wasn't talking down to black people and what he's been saying applies to anyone, black or white. And what might surprise a lot of people is that most blacks agree with Obama. Jackson, in my mind, is struggling with the fact that Obama is where he is not. Now Jesse has to realize that its time that he fall back and support what his and other black civil rights good works have given rise to.
Jesse's statement was more than a little disturbing when you consider this country's past.
It makes you wonder what in the hell was Jesse thinking about? I'm sure there are greater thinkers who will tackle the psychology and motivation for Jesse's statement in a much better way than I ever could.But what Jesse Jackson said was so ridiculous and not only that, but he did something that I've been praying he and other civil rights leaders of old wouldn't do. He has put comments out there that'll give all the wrong people--to be blunt, those specific people who like to see this sort of conflict, especially between two prominent black people-- the ammunition they need to try to exploit the connection blacks have developed with Obama.
Nothing that Obama has been saying in his speeches in black churches or anywhere else about personal responsibility is wrong or elitist. He wasn't talking down to black people and what he's been saying applies to anyone, black or white. And what might surprise a lot of people is that most blacks agree with Obama. Jackson, in my mind, is struggling with the fact that Obama is where he is not. Now Jesse has to realize that its time that he fall back and support what his and other black civil rights good works have given rise to.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Sen. Hillary Clinton's Decision to stay in Primary Race
Throughout the course of the contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for the title of Democratic nominee, a lot is being made on how it will effect the nominee in the Fall. The mudslinging, the name-calling, the shots at experience and policy- for the most part, it appeared that the punches thrown could do nothing but hobble the eventual nominee.
However, I believe her decision to stay in the race will only make Sen. Obama stronger. By the time he is chosen as the Democratic nominee he will be ready for Sen. John McCain. This tough contest with Clinton has sharpen Obama's policy ideas and speeches therefore making him a better candidate.
However, I believe her decision to stay in the race will only make Sen. Obama stronger. By the time he is chosen as the Democratic nominee he will be ready for Sen. John McCain. This tough contest with Clinton has sharpen Obama's policy ideas and speeches therefore making him a better candidate.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Obama on McCain's Energy Proposals
Obama: McCain Energy Proposals "Gimmick"
From the New York Times:
Senator Barack Obama took a poke at his Republican opponent on Tuesday, saying that for Senator John McCain to talk of a “psychological benefit” from expanded offshore drilling is to define that policy as a gimmick.
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Mr. Obama was responding to remarks that Mr. McCain made on Monday in Fresno, Calif., when he observed that even though the nation might take years to benefit from offshore drilling, “exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial.”
Mr. Obama seized on those comments while speaking at a town hall-style meeting here.
“ ‘Psychological impact’?” Mr. Obama said. “In case you’re wondering, that’s Washington-speak for ‘It polls well.’ ”
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Obama with 15-Point Lead over McCain
From the latest LA Times/Bloomberg poll:
Democrat Barack Obama has opened a 15-point lead in the presidential race, and most of the political trends -- voter enthusiasm, views of President George W. Bush, the Republicans, the economy and the direction of the country -- point to even greater trouble for rival John McCain.
Illinois Senator Obama, winning support from once skeptical women and Democrats, beats McCain 48 percent to 33 percent in a four-way race, a Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll shows. Independent candidates Bob Barr and Ralph Nader get 7 percent combined, with the remainder undecided.
...``The Obama voters are much more energized and motivated to come out to vote than the McCain voters; McCain is still struggling to win over some of his core groups,'' she says. ``The good news for Obama is also that he seems to be doing better on the issue that is uppermost in voters' minds, and that is the economy.''
Obama Leads McCain by Double-Digits Among Independents
Rasmussen's daily tracking poll shows Obama leading McCain 49% to 39 among independent or unaffiliated voters. Overall, Obama leads McCain 46% to 45 while McCain leads Clinton 47% to 44. This is the first time since the second week in March that either Democratic candidate has led McCain in Rasmussen's tracking poll.Obama also maintains a 9 point lead over Clinton. This is fifth straight day Obama has reached or exceeded the 50% support threshold
Friday, June 6, 2008
Republicans afraid of Obama's Fundraising Abilities
It appears that with his fundraising efforts during the Democratic primary season, Senator Barack Obama has amassed a financial forest.
With the primary race over and Senator Clinton preparing to suspend her campaign on Saturday, the general election will begin an earnest and the Obama money machine is poised to smash all existing records generating enough financial support for Democrats to win back the White House.
Over on HuffingtonPost.com, they write, “that Obama’s donor lists are so large that the Federal Election Commission is unable to process them with their current spreadsheet applications. Now that Obama has won enough delegates to clinch the nomination, and Clinton will concede the race to him on Saturday, the GOP fears that the Democrats’ extraordinary fundraising will leave them at a terrible disadvantage come November:
With Hillary Clinton’s campaign coming to an end this weekend, Barack Obama’s rise as the Democratic nominee brings serious bad news to a new group — John McCain’s finance team…
…Obama’s campaign, which raised $272 million through April for the primary, now is reaching out to Clinton’s fundraisers, who raised another $200 million through April, in an effort to unite forces and bury the historically deep-pocketed Republicans.
Take a look at some of the numbers:
If each of Obama’s donors gave him a modest $250, he’d have $375 million to spend during the two-month general election sprint. That’s $186 million a month; $47 million a week.
During the same September to Nov. 4th period, McCain will have about $85 million to spend since he has decided to take taxpayer money to help finance his campaign activities.
Obama has more than 1.5 million donors; McCain has a few hundred thousand. If just a million of Obama’s donors sent him the maximum donation, $2,300, he could raise $2.3 billion.”
Be a part of the solution so that we can eliminate the problem that now exists.
With the primary race over and Senator Clinton preparing to suspend her campaign on Saturday, the general election will begin an earnest and the Obama money machine is poised to smash all existing records generating enough financial support for Democrats to win back the White House.
Over on HuffingtonPost.com, they write, “that Obama’s donor lists are so large that the Federal Election Commission is unable to process them with their current spreadsheet applications. Now that Obama has won enough delegates to clinch the nomination, and Clinton will concede the race to him on Saturday, the GOP fears that the Democrats’ extraordinary fundraising will leave them at a terrible disadvantage come November:
With Hillary Clinton’s campaign coming to an end this weekend, Barack Obama’s rise as the Democratic nominee brings serious bad news to a new group — John McCain’s finance team…
…Obama’s campaign, which raised $272 million through April for the primary, now is reaching out to Clinton’s fundraisers, who raised another $200 million through April, in an effort to unite forces and bury the historically deep-pocketed Republicans.
Take a look at some of the numbers:
If each of Obama’s donors gave him a modest $250, he’d have $375 million to spend during the two-month general election sprint. That’s $186 million a month; $47 million a week.
During the same September to Nov. 4th period, McCain will have about $85 million to spend since he has decided to take taxpayer money to help finance his campaign activities.
Obama has more than 1.5 million donors; McCain has a few hundred thousand. If just a million of Obama’s donors sent him the maximum donation, $2,300, he could raise $2.3 billion.”
Be a part of the solution so that we can eliminate the problem that now exists.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Clinton mentions Bobby Kennedy Assassination to stay in election
First "hard working white people" and now Hillary Clinton is on the record as having raised the issue of political assassination as reason for her to stay in the race.
"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it."
She later apologized for the remark, saying:
"Earlier today I was discussing the Democratic primary history and in the course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and Senator Kennedy waged in California in June 1992 and 1968 and I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nomination primary contests that go into June. That's a historic fact.
The Kennedys have been much on my mind the last days because of Senator Kennedy and I regret that if my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation, and particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. I certainly had no intention of that, whatsoever. My view is that we have to look to the past and to our leaders who have inspired us and give us a lot to live up to, and I'm honored to hold Senator Kennedy's seat in the United States Senate from the state of New York and have the highest regard for the entire Kennedy family."
I don't think that Hillary Clinton was trying to say that should Barack get assassinated, she would be waiting in the wings...
I believe that she was talking about the length of the primaries.
What I don't like, however, is the fact that Hillary has not apologized to the Obama family. Barack is the father of two young children... this kind of talk must be very hurtful.
It was only recently that Hillary would congratulate Obama on his primary wins.
I think this shows a lack of class.
Read more about assassination concerns about Barack Obama here.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Obama honoring our veterans
Barack's Memorial Day speech in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Here's the full text to the speech.
Obama's Wesleyan Commencement Speech
Barack spoke for Senator Ted Kennedy at the commencement address at Wesleyan University.
He encouraged graduates to follow the example of the Kennedy family and work towards a more just society.
I was born the year that his brother John called a generation of Americans to ask their country what they could do. And I came of age at a time when they did it. They were the Peace Corps volunteers who won a generation of goodwill toward America at a time when America’s ideals were challenged. They were the teenagers and college students, not much older than you, who watched the Civil Rights Movement unfold on their television sets; who saw the dogs and the fire hoses and the footage of marchers beaten within an inch or their lives; who knew it was probably smarter and safer to stay at home, but still decided to take those Freedom Rides down south – who still decided to march. And because they did, they changed the world.
I bring this up because today, you are about to enter a world that makes it easy to get caught up in the notion that there are actually two different stories at work in our lives.
The first is the story of our everyday cares and concerns – the responsibilities we have to our jobs and our families – the bustle and busyness of what happens in our own life. And the second is the story of what happens in the life of our country – of what happens in the wider world. It’s the story you see when you catch a glimpse of the day’s headlines or turn on the news at night – a story of big challenges like war and recession; hunger and climate change; injustice and inequality. It’s a story that can sometimes seem distant and separate from our own – a destiny to be shaped by forces beyond our control.
And yet, the history of this nation tells us this isn’t so. It tells us that we are a people whose destiny has never been written for us, but by us – by generations of men and women, young and old, who have always believed that their story and the American story are not separate, but shared. And for more than two centuries, they have served this country in ways that have forever enriched both.
I say this to you as someone who couldn’t be standing here today if not for the service of others, and wouldn’t be standing here today if not for the purpose that service gave my own life.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Obama's Plan for the Housing Crisis
Barack's Plan for the Housing Crisis
The full transcript of the speech as well as more information about his plan can be read here
Sen. Barack Obama spoke in North Las Vegas, on the housing crisis and the need to protect home ownership. Here are the details of the plan:
As president, Obama will:
* Support the Dodd/Frank proposal to create a new FHA Housing Security Program to provide incentives for lenders to buy or refinance existing mortgages and make them stable 30-year fixed mortgages;
* Make an additional $10 billion in bonds available to help middle class families buy their first home or avoid foreclosure;
* Give a tax credit to middle class homeowners that would cover 10 percent of the interest on their mortgages every year;
* Mandate accurate loan disclosure to ensure consumers fully understand their loan agreements;
* Penalize predatory lenders and use those fines to help families stay in their homes;
* Eliminate income tax for seniors making less than $50,000 per year;
* And implement a “Making Work Pay” tax credit of $1,000 per family or $500 per worker.
The full transcript of the speech as well as more information about his plan can be read here
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Speaker Pelosi will step in at DNC
Pelosi Prepared to Step in to Stop Convention Fight
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she will step in if necessary to make sure the presidential nomination fight between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama does not reach the Democratic National Convention - though she believes it could be resolved as early as next week.
Pelosi predicted Wednesday that a presidential nominee will emerge in the week after the final Democratic primaries on June 3, but she said "I will step in" if there is no resolution by late June regarding the seating of delegates from Florida and Michigan, the two states that defied party rules by holding early primaries.
"Because we cannot take this fight to the convention," she said. "It must be over before then."
Monday, May 26, 2008
Key Clinton constituencies Moving Toward Obama
From the latest Gallup poll:
Gallup Poll Daily tracking has documented a surge in Democratic voters' support for Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton in recent days, swelling from a four percentage-point lead for Obama during the first part of May to a record 16-point lead for him in polling from May 16-18.
...The broadening of Obama's appeal for the nomination seen in Gallup's May 16-18 polling is fairly widespread, with the percentage favoring him increasing among most demographic categories of Democratic voters. However, as a result, certain groups that were already highly supportive of Obama for the nomination -- men, 18- to 29-year-olds, postgrads, and upper-income Democrats -- are now overwhelmingly in his camp. Obama is currently favored among these groups by a 2-to-1 margin, or better, over Clinton.
...At the same time, support for Clinton among some of her traditionally stalwart support groups -- women, Easterners, whites, adults with no college education, and Hispanics -- has fallen below 50%.
Friday, May 23, 2008
United Mine Workers of America Endorse Obama
The United Mine Workers of America have endorsed Barack Obama for President. Here's UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts...
We are extremely proud to make this endorsement today. Sen. Obama shares the values of UMWA members and our families. He understands and will fight for the needs our members have today and the hopes our members have for a secure future for themselves and their families.
Most of all, Sen. Obama will implement the clear change in direction UMWA members–indeed, all American working people–must have if they are to once again move forward and have a true opportunity to realize the American dream. After eight years of being pushed aside by an administration which neither respects nor values the contributions American working families make to our society, we are looking forward with great anticipation to a new era in our nation starting with the inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009...
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Right time for Obama to end his relationship w/Wright
Sen. Barack Obama did the right thing by ending his relationship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. This issue has taken too much time away from Obama's core message of change. The American people want to hear about issues that affect them on daily basis such as gas prices, the economy and jobs. Not about Rev. Wright and his beliefs.
Click here to watch Barack's hopefully last and final statement on the Reverend Wright.
Click here to watch Barack's hopefully last and final statement on the Reverend Wright.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Obama "The Change Candidate"
I am watching Meet the Press and heard presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin (bar none the most authoritative voice I've heard on presidential history) make an excellent point in response to a statement by New York Times commentator David Brooks to the effect of "You really have to wonder how Obama can bring about this 'change' and 'unity' with these 70-year-old committee chairmen on the Hill."
Her response was highly elucidating:
"What history argues -- and I think that this is what [Obama] is arguing -- is that the only time we've seen progressive change in this country is when the country is mobilized to push the people in Congress to action.
That is what happened in the progressive movement at the turn of the century: that is what happened in the New Deal, that is what happened in the 60s.
I think that's what he's arguing -- I can't just get it done by myself; I need to have that movement out there that will push us in Washington (me and them included) [to make that change happen]."
This really is a gem of a formulation and a strong argument in favor of Obama's message. Whichever candidate is elected is going to face some huge hurdles to change, in the form of the entrenched interests that are beholden to the system, as it currently exists. The changes that both Democratic candidates are proposing to the health care system in particular will require an overwhelming and consistent push by the average voter on their Representatives and Senators.
As any dispassionate observer of this election would agree, the groundswell of the Obama phenomenon is a unique once-in-a-generation thing.
Now, look at the dates connected to the events that Doris Kearns-Goodwin cites and you will note that, roughly speaking, enormous enthusiasm for progressive change seems to peak every 30-40 years.
We are overdue for change. We suffered too long with the passing era's expediency, plotting, fighting, failed wars, and failed healthcare initiatives and fear mongering to let this moment pass us by.
As Obama has said, this is ultimately less him and more about us.
Her response was highly elucidating:
"What history argues -- and I think that this is what [Obama] is arguing -- is that the only time we've seen progressive change in this country is when the country is mobilized to push the people in Congress to action.
That is what happened in the progressive movement at the turn of the century: that is what happened in the New Deal, that is what happened in the 60s.
I think that's what he's arguing -- I can't just get it done by myself; I need to have that movement out there that will push us in Washington (me and them included) [to make that change happen]."
This really is a gem of a formulation and a strong argument in favor of Obama's message. Whichever candidate is elected is going to face some huge hurdles to change, in the form of the entrenched interests that are beholden to the system, as it currently exists. The changes that both Democratic candidates are proposing to the health care system in particular will require an overwhelming and consistent push by the average voter on their Representatives and Senators.
As any dispassionate observer of this election would agree, the groundswell of the Obama phenomenon is a unique once-in-a-generation thing.
Now, look at the dates connected to the events that Doris Kearns-Goodwin cites and you will note that, roughly speaking, enormous enthusiasm for progressive change seems to peak every 30-40 years.
We are overdue for change. We suffered too long with the passing era's expediency, plotting, fighting, failed wars, and failed healthcare initiatives and fear mongering to let this moment pass us by.
As Obama has said, this is ultimately less him and more about us.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Obama/Clinton Health Care Policy
The only real policy difference between Senators Clinton and Obama is their view on the healthcare mandate and people like Paul Krugman, NY Times columnist, are clobbering him over the head with it. .
Senator Obama is the honest one running for the democratic nomination. He needs to neutralize this discussion by being frank telling Americans that NO ONE YET KNOWS SPECIFICALLY WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ABOUT HEALTHCARE REFORM. Senator Clinton’s promise of universal healthcare for everyone in the first year is not realistic. Republicans will not jump on the bandwagon just because the president says so and policy changes in Washington move at a snail's pace.
Senator Obama also needs to reassure Americans about universal healthcare. Further he can say that when he is president he will ensure that a multi-disciplinary coalition of experts will thoroughly research all angles, including talking to patients and providers extensively and exploring all healthcare delivery systems around the world to understand what works and what doesn't.
The important point is that both agree we need to overhaul our healthcare system and provide universal healthcare. A delicate issue needs to be finessed so again, the nuances they are discussing are not really worth our time.
Senator Obama needs to eliminate the focus placed on this conversation so the upcoming voters not distracted by meaningless rhetoric and policy conjectures, the breadth of which many voters do not fully understand.
Senator Obama is the honest one running for the democratic nomination. He needs to neutralize this discussion by being frank telling Americans that NO ONE YET KNOWS SPECIFICALLY WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ABOUT HEALTHCARE REFORM. Senator Clinton’s promise of universal healthcare for everyone in the first year is not realistic. Republicans will not jump on the bandwagon just because the president says so and policy changes in Washington move at a snail's pace.
Senator Obama also needs to reassure Americans about universal healthcare. Further he can say that when he is president he will ensure that a multi-disciplinary coalition of experts will thoroughly research all angles, including talking to patients and providers extensively and exploring all healthcare delivery systems around the world to understand what works and what doesn't.
The important point is that both agree we need to overhaul our healthcare system and provide universal healthcare. A delicate issue needs to be finessed so again, the nuances they are discussing are not really worth our time.
Senator Obama needs to eliminate the focus placed on this conversation so the upcoming voters not distracted by meaningless rhetoric and policy conjectures, the breadth of which many voters do not fully understand.
Monday, April 7, 2008
The Bradley Effect
Numerous political analysts have invoked the "Bradley Effect", a racially driven phenomenon, to explain the disconnect between pollster predictions and voter turnout for Senator Obama. Mr. Novak's Op-ed entitled, "Obama's Bradley Effect", was disappointing and shortsighted. Such opinions make me wonder if the media will ever be able to analyze election dynamics through a real-time prism rather than simply extrapolating historical anecdotes to explain the events of today.
I also wonder if Mr. Novak explored alternative explanations for the outcome of the California election. First, Clinton won California by 8%, which equates to approximately 350-400,000 votes. Californians cast nearly 1 million absentee ballots and over 50% of them were cast long before the February 5 election and before Obama gained momentum in the state. Were absentee voters included in the polling samples? If so, were they queried about how they voted? It is unlikely that late polling captured the full effect of the absentee vote. Therefore, it would be impossible to accurately predict the election outcome. Second, nearly 200,000 independent or "declined-to-state" (DTS) voters met confusion while casting ballots in California. Consequently, tens of thousands of votes in California are not counted.
While the Bradley effect may be a partially plausible explanation for the California election outcome, there are equally more logical explanations for the disconnect in the polling. Let us consider all the options rather than focus on one based on possibly outdated voter behavior patterns.
I also wonder if Mr. Novak explored alternative explanations for the outcome of the California election. First, Clinton won California by 8%, which equates to approximately 350-400,000 votes. Californians cast nearly 1 million absentee ballots and over 50% of them were cast long before the February 5 election and before Obama gained momentum in the state. Were absentee voters included in the polling samples? If so, were they queried about how they voted? It is unlikely that late polling captured the full effect of the absentee vote. Therefore, it would be impossible to accurately predict the election outcome. Second, nearly 200,000 independent or "declined-to-state" (DTS) voters met confusion while casting ballots in California. Consequently, tens of thousands of votes in California are not counted.
While the Bradley effect may be a partially plausible explanation for the California election outcome, there are equally more logical explanations for the disconnect in the polling. Let us consider all the options rather than focus on one based on possibly outdated voter behavior patterns.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Obama the "Catalytic Leader"
I think many Americans and the media are struggling with how to accurately understand Senator Obama's popularity and leadership style. As Obama supporters, we have a responsibility to help expand their understanding, give those new concepts and words to explain why Senator Obama is, and will be so profoundly effective.
Senator Obama is not a cult leader (as Senator Clinton is now so absurdly suggesting).
Senator Obama is a Catalytic Leader, as I will describe shortly below. This is the exact style of leadership our country and our world requires at this point in history. Without this more accurate framing, the media will continue to parrot Senator Clinton's talking points by attributing Senator Obama's message and popularity to hero worship, charisma, or blind faith.
Catalytic Leadership is a style of leadership whereby a leader inspires diverse constituencies to step forward and work together and where such constituencies working together, with everyone buying into the problem solving process create effective solutions to problems. By being involved and invested in the process, stakeholders who may desire different outcomes may yet come to support a solution because they were made a part of the process. They can say "WE DID IT!"
Senator Obama is clearly a charismatic figure. However, to write him off as simply a "charismatic figure" is too simplistic. His true power lies in what appears to be his natural leadership ability and his skill at drawing together a variety of diverse constituencies into his decision-making process. Not everyone will agree with the outcome of every initiative he puts forward but everyone will at least be able to say that they were consulted and had their voices heard. Thus, his message of "Yes WE can!".
The complexity of the problems facing our country and world involve highly divergent points of view and diverse people/communities that must somehow find common ground in order to move toward solutions, and a Catalytic Leadership style is the one that is necessary. This is one of the critically important skills that Senator Barack Obama will bring to the presidency, as is already profoundly evidenced in his ongoing campaign.
A Catalytic Leader is the antidote to our current woes and to Clinton and the media's recent "cultmania" spin in answer to Obama's popularity and his ability to inspire and involve so many patriotic Americans -- whether Democrat, Independent or Republican.
We cannot suffer through another era where "leadership" is defined as forcing your will upon others, not consulting with opposing voices and falling prey to the supposed collective wisdom of a coterie that has never disagreed with you.
Senator Obama is not a cult leader (as Senator Clinton is now so absurdly suggesting).
Senator Obama is a Catalytic Leader, as I will describe shortly below. This is the exact style of leadership our country and our world requires at this point in history. Without this more accurate framing, the media will continue to parrot Senator Clinton's talking points by attributing Senator Obama's message and popularity to hero worship, charisma, or blind faith.
Catalytic Leadership is a style of leadership whereby a leader inspires diverse constituencies to step forward and work together and where such constituencies working together, with everyone buying into the problem solving process create effective solutions to problems. By being involved and invested in the process, stakeholders who may desire different outcomes may yet come to support a solution because they were made a part of the process. They can say "WE DID IT!"
Senator Obama is clearly a charismatic figure. However, to write him off as simply a "charismatic figure" is too simplistic. His true power lies in what appears to be his natural leadership ability and his skill at drawing together a variety of diverse constituencies into his decision-making process. Not everyone will agree with the outcome of every initiative he puts forward but everyone will at least be able to say that they were consulted and had their voices heard. Thus, his message of "Yes WE can!".
The complexity of the problems facing our country and world involve highly divergent points of view and diverse people/communities that must somehow find common ground in order to move toward solutions, and a Catalytic Leadership style is the one that is necessary. This is one of the critically important skills that Senator Barack Obama will bring to the presidency, as is already profoundly evidenced in his ongoing campaign.
A Catalytic Leader is the antidote to our current woes and to Clinton and the media's recent "cultmania" spin in answer to Obama's popularity and his ability to inspire and involve so many patriotic Americans -- whether Democrat, Independent or Republican.
We cannot suffer through another era where "leadership" is defined as forcing your will upon others, not consulting with opposing voices and falling prey to the supposed collective wisdom of a coterie that has never disagreed with you.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Media
Has anyone noticed that the media have continually perpetuated the polarizing discussions about race and the presidential election? Clinton's comments on Fox news generated a lot of coverage immediately after the interview but it was the media who have kept these storylines alive. Furthermore, all the poll data reported by the media have with racial overtones.
As Senator Obama said in the debate earlier this week, voters want to elevate our conversations to talk about healthcare reform, the economy and gas prices. Instead, the media keep us fixated on the past and painful issues because it is sensational. I think it is disgraceful. I am tired of the incessant pundit commentary speculating about what voters want and think but I have yet to hear any of them interview people to investigate or verify their opinions.
I have long believed that the American people are smarter than this. Of course, we cannot silence the media but we can certainly send them a message. Do we have the strength to either turn off the television or finds ways to make our distaste known? Stop the madness!
As Senator Obama said in the debate earlier this week, voters want to elevate our conversations to talk about healthcare reform, the economy and gas prices. Instead, the media keep us fixated on the past and painful issues because it is sensational. I think it is disgraceful. I am tired of the incessant pundit commentary speculating about what voters want and think but I have yet to hear any of them interview people to investigate or verify their opinions.
I have long believed that the American people are smarter than this. Of course, we cannot silence the media but we can certainly send them a message. Do we have the strength to either turn off the television or finds ways to make our distaste known? Stop the madness!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Obama and Jeremiah Wright
Racism is wrong. That seems to be simple enough, but not everyone, everywhere agrees with that in America. That is a hard truth all of us, no matter our race, have to acknowledge. Jeremiah Wright is a man, born in 1941, who knows this truth intimately. He is being criticized for helming a "separatist" church: that somehow it and he is a threat to the very fabric of this country. From everything, I have read about him, he does not advocate violence against anyone and he does not believe whites are superior to blacks--or vice versa. He and Obama share the same goal for the future of this country, except that Obama's speeches are conciliatory like Martin's while Wright's are blunt like Malcolm.
Another difference between Wright and Malcolm X, other than their views on the role of violence in defeating racism, is that Wright is a preacher. In this country, religion and politics cannot mix legally. A church can lose both its tax exemption status and status as a religious institution once it dives into politics. This law has for so long been applied to only white churches. Because, you see, our government like Native American reservations has treated black churches for the longest time. Black churches had revolutionaries like the political preacher Martin Luther King who wanted equality for all people. The government at the time not legally left Martin Luther King alone for his political speech. Until whites and blacks listened to him and realized he was right. The same thing is happening with Obama-- we of all racial backgrounds realize he is right.
The black church was a cross section of politics and faith. In Alabama, a country town named Lowndes County was home to the Black Panthers and Civil Rights meetings in the black church. Where else were they going to meet? They could not let their white counterparts find out or the fight for equality would have been ended. In addition, whites at the time ignored the black church all year long with one exception. When you saw white people sitting in the pews at the back of a black church, you knew it was election time. Politicians would go there to scrounge up votes. Empty promises made to blacks that their needs and wants addressed. .
The racist people not voting for Barack simply because he is black--not because of his policy ideas or his aptitude to handle the problems facing this country- are the ones Pastor Jeremiah Wright is discussing. We all, of every nationality and ethnic background, should have a problem with those people. Racism is no less insidious than it was in the past. There is no difference between racism of today and racism of the past because racist sentiments give rise to the violent acts that no doubt follow them.
Racist acts, the violent and the non-violent ones, of today are not being committed by some ethereal, non entity or even by some large intangible mass but instead by individuals we know and care about--friends, neighbors even our own mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles. Those are the people who Jeremiah Wright, blacks and whites, Asians and Mexicans, Indians and Arabs must both possess and direct ire towards. Let's not forget there are many knowing blacks who are angry about past and present racism in this country as well as there are knowing white mothers, white daughters, white sons and white fathers who are just as sick and tired of being sick and tired that racism is still exists.
Another difference between Wright and Malcolm X, other than their views on the role of violence in defeating racism, is that Wright is a preacher. In this country, religion and politics cannot mix legally. A church can lose both its tax exemption status and status as a religious institution once it dives into politics. This law has for so long been applied to only white churches. Because, you see, our government like Native American reservations has treated black churches for the longest time. Black churches had revolutionaries like the political preacher Martin Luther King who wanted equality for all people. The government at the time not legally left Martin Luther King alone for his political speech. Until whites and blacks listened to him and realized he was right. The same thing is happening with Obama-- we of all racial backgrounds realize he is right.
The black church was a cross section of politics and faith. In Alabama, a country town named Lowndes County was home to the Black Panthers and Civil Rights meetings in the black church. Where else were they going to meet? They could not let their white counterparts find out or the fight for equality would have been ended. In addition, whites at the time ignored the black church all year long with one exception. When you saw white people sitting in the pews at the back of a black church, you knew it was election time. Politicians would go there to scrounge up votes. Empty promises made to blacks that their needs and wants addressed. .
The racist people not voting for Barack simply because he is black--not because of his policy ideas or his aptitude to handle the problems facing this country- are the ones Pastor Jeremiah Wright is discussing. We all, of every nationality and ethnic background, should have a problem with those people. Racism is no less insidious than it was in the past. There is no difference between racism of today and racism of the past because racist sentiments give rise to the violent acts that no doubt follow them.
Racist acts, the violent and the non-violent ones, of today are not being committed by some ethereal, non entity or even by some large intangible mass but instead by individuals we know and care about--friends, neighbors even our own mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles. Those are the people who Jeremiah Wright, blacks and whites, Asians and Mexicans, Indians and Arabs must both possess and direct ire towards. Let's not forget there are many knowing blacks who are angry about past and present racism in this country as well as there are knowing white mothers, white daughters, white sons and white fathers who are just as sick and tired of being sick and tired that racism is still exists.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Obama Inspires Communities
Obama's campaign has inspired and motivated people nationwide to become active in their communities. Obama Works is a new grassroots group dedicated to creating opportunities for volunteerism on the local levels.
Obama Works is a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting a new kind of politics. Inspired by Barack Obama's experience as a community organizer and his message that ordinary citizens can create real change, Obama Works seeks to unite politics and service by mobilizing Obama supporters to improve their neighborhoods through public service.
Click here for more info Sphere: Related Content
Monday, February 18, 2008
Obam getting less votes in some Black districts in NYC
Black voters are heavily represented in the 94th Election District in Harlem’s 70th Assembly District. Yet according to the unofficial results from the New York Democratic primary last week, not a single vote in the district was cast for Senator Barack Obama. Could this be poll fraud? It's in Charlie Rangel's district. He has endorsed Hillary Clinton.
That anomaly was not unique. In fact, a review by The New York Times of the unofficial results reported on primary night found about 80 election districts among the city’s 6,106 where Mr. Obama supposedly did not receive even one vote, including cases where he ran a respectable race in a nearby district.
City election officials this week said that their formal review of the results, which will not be completed for weeks, had confirmed some major discrepancies between the vote totals reported publicly — and unofficially — on primary night and the actual tally on hundreds of voting machines across the city.
In the Harlem district, for instance, where the primary night returns suggested a 141 to 0 sweep by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, the vote now stands at 261 to 136. In an even more heavily black district in Brooklyn — where the vote on primary night was recorded as 118 to 0 for Mrs. Clinton — she now barely leads, 118 to 116.
The history of New York elections has been punctuated by episodes of confusion, incompetence and even occasional corruption. And election officials and lawyers for both Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton agree that it is not uncommon for mistakes to be made by weary inspectors rushing on election night to transcribe columns of numbers that are delivered first to the police and then to the news media.
That said, in a presidential campaign in which every vote at the Democratic National Convention may count, a swing of even a couple of hundred votes in New York might help Mr. Obama gain a few additional delegates.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Why I am Supporting Barack Obama
I am supporting Barack Obama because he has the ideas and plans needed to change the direction of the country. It is clear he has thought about the issues facing the 21st century and is ready to take the country in a new direction. I believe so strongly in Barack Obama I am volunteering for his campaign in any capacity available. I invite all of you to go to BarcakObama.com and read his history as a campaign organizer and his ideas on the economy, health care, small business, and international policy.
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