Big Endorsements Come Out For Barack Obama
By Nicole Belle Sunday Feb 03, 2008 2:01pm
California first lady Maria Shriver endorsed Barack Obama for president on Sunday, calling him inspirational and a natural leader.
"I thought, if Barack Obama was a state, he'd be California," Shriver said, addressing thousands of people at a rally headlined by talk show host Oprah Winfrey. "Diverse, open, smart, independent, bucks tradition. Innovative. Inspirational. Dreamer. Leader." [..]
Author and public radio host Garrison Keillor also endorsed Obama on Sunday, Obama's campaign announced, and provided excerpts of a letter in which Keillor declared his support.
"I'm happy to support your candidacy, which is so full of promise for our country," the best-selling author and humorist wrote in the letter. "Seven years of a failed presidency is a depressing thing, and the country is pressing for a change and looking for someone with clear vision who is determined to break through the rhetorical logjam and find sensible ways to move our country forward. That's you, friend."
I have to wonder what dinners at the Schwarzeneggers must be like with the Governator supporting McCain and the First Lady supporting Obama. But in a state where Clinton and Obama are in a statistical dead heat, these are some ringing endorsements. But even still, that's not the endorsement that impressed Hale "Bonddad" Stewart the most:
(T)his is huge news, especially with economic wonks. In addition, the following endorsement comes from my favorite Federal Reserve Chairman.
"After 30 years in government, serving under five presidents of both parties and chairing two non-partisan commissions on the Public Service, I have been reluctant to engage in political campaigns. The time has come to overcome that reluctance," Mr. Volcker said in a statement today. "However, it is not the current turmoil in markets or the economic uncertainties that have impelled my decision. Rather, it is the breadth and depth of challenges that face our nation at home and abroad. Those challenges demand a new leadership and a fresh approach."
He concluded: "It is only Barack Obama, in his person, in his ideas, in his ability to understand and to articulate both our needs and our hopes that provide the potential for strong and fresh leadership. That leadership must begin here in America but it can also restore needed confidence in our vision, our strength, and our purposes right around the world."
That was from from Paul Volcker, former chairman of the Federal Reserve.
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Yeah, but they're no Chuck Norris, okay? He's the kinda manly man that I follow.
well, i wouldnt want volkers endorsement, but whatever
and nicole, can you or somebody post something with an analysis of the polls
either people are lying, or the undecided is much larger than the polls are showing
2 weeks ago, hillary had a 20 pt lead in cali
there are polls showing her with anywhere from a 2 digit lead, to losing by 5 points
but the undecided vote is still large in each poll
i really think that most voters are gonna walk into the polling place and decide as they pull the lever
oh, and msnbc.com had a great story on how this campaign is splitting families right down the middle
I hope Barack goes the way of the Ny giants on super tuesday.
What do you assume dinners at the Schwarzenegger-Shriver house must be strained because they support different persons for president. Arnold and Maria have had different ideas on several issues and candidates over the years but still seem to have a very happy family life. And if Obama wins, as I hope he does, I'm sure that he and Arnold will have a productive relationship.
OBAMA CORNERS THE MILF VOTE
We watched Maria make her speech yesterday thanks to c-span. Mr. Pop and I wondered whether she or Arnold would be sleeping on the couch last night.
When Michelle Obama was coming up on the stage, she was also helping Stevie Wonder up the steps at the same time. Stevie tripped on the stairs and fell taking Michelle down with him. They got him up and Michelle got up. She went right to the microphone and began her speech like nothing has happened. She kept her cool when many of us would have freaked.
I would have gone right to the microphone, too. That what professionals, DO.
Anyway, I guess Obama has been anointed. I just hope he has the chops to do the job.
Holy crap, I like Obama OK as a candidates, but what kind of new-agey gobbledygook was that? She managed to take forever to say nothing.
I mean, I get it, we're all having a moment. Big whoop.
Robert DeNiro comes out for Obama too. Bottom Line.
Media says Obama is so cool. They thank you. The GOP thanks you. Prepare for another Red November, dum dums.
Obama...The black George McGovern.
Could be that the ReThugs want Obama to win the nomination before they go "Willie Horton" on his ass in a big way.
Easier to go after Clinton, but she might win because we might get on them for beating up on a woman, which is what the ReThugs prefer to do.
All in all, I don't think California will set the tone, but Colorado might.
Big endowments come out on Clinton.
Well, that does it. Now the banking pimps support O'Bama.
McCain will be more war.
Clinton will be years of political warfare.
O'Bama will be great for corporate america.
I can either not vote - or vote McCain and hope he destroys it all so it can be rebuilt.
... or get a good coat and move to Sweden.
Clinton just doesn't get it
im amazed by the cynicism in this thread....either the clintonistas are really getting nervous, or the wingnut trolls are really bored today
This is the momentum the Democratic party needs to drive down ticket races!
Let's get it on for the '08 Super Majority!!
Fired up!, Ready to Go in Northwest Ohio!
www.dipdive.com
uncle joe mccarthy @ 17:
The choice we are left with is perpetual war, a DLC republican and someone that has done exactly nothing.
Why would anyone be nervous.
Obama is worse than 9iu11ani = a noun, a verb, HOPE & UNITY.
This speech was just empty platitudes. No solutions, no real substance. Pure fluff.
Didn't she endorse the stupid muscleman a long time ago? Really, aside from her last name, who cares?
I'm puzzled by all these endorsements. You would expect the democratic establishment to be less starry-eyed than the neophyte first-time voter. Why would Volcker put his 2-cents in at this time? It is almost as though the democratic powers-that-be so believe that our standing in the world has been irreparably damaged by W that only a black man with the middle name Hussain could make amends. While parts of the world might fall for this sort of image symbolism, the reality is that we and the world need action and not just pretty symbols to repair the damage that has been done to pax americana. As far as I can tell, Obama is an empty slate onto whom people can write their hopes and desires, but I am not convinced that his actions are in keeping with his words. However, if he is going to be the anointed one, I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.
Volcker's endorsement of Obama is a very, very big deal. On the editorial page of the Wall St Journal, no less. Wow. It'll be interesting to see how the conservative press reacts to this, because they can't attack Volcker like they did the Kennedys or Oprah.
He's a truly bipartisan figure, perhaps the last person it is possible to say this of. He served Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan and did an excellent job as Fed Chairman. He is respected by conservatives, monetarists, Keynesians, liberals, you name it (probably everybody except the Ron Paul/Grover Norquist kill-the-government faction). Now that Alan Greenspan's reputation has been wrecked by the bursting of the credit bubble, Volcker's moderation and his success in ending the inflation/stagflation crisis of the 70s and early 80s is all the more obvious.
I would have thought he'd support Hillary, if only because of Bill's economic record (federal surpluses, excellent job growth, consistent GDP growth, higher incomes).
Probably too late to influence the outcome of Super Tuesday, but this is a major event for Obama's campaign.
And of course there are the Deadheads - a force to contend with:
http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN0147632420080202
Jerry's smiling...
Vote as you will......I know who I am voting for....and its not such a great choice this time around..............
The Political Junkie @ 13:
Barack has Colorado in the bag. 18,000 came out to see him speak in Denver last week.
Mitt Romney? Spoke at a Denver car dealership...
Annoyed Canuck @ 23:
hillary aint bill
and these economic times are totally different than in 92
the worst thing i heard today was lufa boy state, people have to get used to the fact that we have moved from a manufacturing economy to a service and tech economy
in the history of the world, has there ever been a society that has survived making absolutely nothing?
this is how the roman empire fell....for the only way a society that makes nothing can continue to exist, is to conquer all those that do
I am not impressed by California first lady Maria Shriver's endorsement of Barack Obama for president on Sunday. , calling him inspirational and a natural leader.
After all, Ms. Shriver, I mean Mrs. Arnold Schwarzenegger did not exactly show great judgment in marrying a womanizer and woman abuser like Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I have not cared what Maria Shriver thought for many, many years, if not, ever. Plus, Maria Shriver cannot be too bright for marrying a pig like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Everyone is jumping on the Barack Obama emotional express and one wonders why the Democrats keep losing to the Republicans in presidential election after presidential election.
Obama will not beat McCain in the general election and you can bank on that one. Despite what the media/press "experts" say, the GOP do not want to run against Hillary Clinton no matter what is said. The GOP, despite all the "macho talk" much prefer to run against Barack Obama, than Hillary Clinton.
I went and saw Obama at the Target Center in Mpls. this weekend. I have never seen anything like it, 20,000 people showed up. Haven't seen that many young people fired up about politics since the late 60's and early 70's. The big difference from the past is, youth want to play in mainstream politics this time. There may just be a chance to stop the move to the right in this country, and start the slow move to a progressive country.
B.F.D.
As someone who did the research, and the reading (not just listening to speeches!) to make the decision to support Obama, let me state, unequivocally, that he's smart, and well up on policy. Obsidian Wings, back in '06, did a profile of Obama that explains a lot of his early US Senate accomplishments, since there seems to be some confusion. He kept his head down, and he worked on the most wonkish, policy-driven laws you can imagine, and for Progressive causes and aims.
Idahomoe-30. WOW! That really was a thoughtfull comment.
I have to wonder what dinners at the Schwarzeneggers must be like with the Governator supporting McCain and the First Lady supporting Obama.
Prolly just bidness as usual.
SM@20 Girl you literally arise from your zombie state whenever there is an Obama post. To you SM, the man can't do anything right but Slick Willie is "the black icon". Worse than Rudy? What BS. You just dog Obama without any substance to buttress your arguements (except self-hate). Lay off Barak girl, and tell Hillary to put a muzzle on Bill (the big old womanizer is helping Obama with his dumb ass comments).
I noticed Paul did not mention anything about Obama's economic knowledge ,which is what we really need right now...
Woodrow "asim" Jarvis Hill @ 31:
And he endorsed Lieberman
http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/03/31/obama_r...
chris@35 What we really need is someone to get u out of this fucking WAR.
Should have been us.
By the time the primary arrives in California, we're left to choose between Coke and Pepsi; the same product in different packages.
Yay.
"Obama is inspirational" has become a tiresome cliche in record time. We need substance, not style. Give us a real reason to vote for someone.
raker @ 40:
Okay, with Clinton you get a "two-fer"?
Travis @ 16:
And Obama does???
Uh....Krugman thinks NOT.
Who would The Constitution endorse?
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?pid=239574
...Someone who can restore the credibility of the Justice Department.
Don Siegelman, Political Prisoner
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_ernest_p_080130_the_gulag_comes_...
According to all of you Obama haters he just a smooth talker (I get subtle stereotyping). Warmonging corporate cocksucking Hillary has this immpeccable record we all can be proud of. Listen, NONE of the candidates have a prefect voting record. I know,we're lemmings and you clowns of course only want to save us from our stupidity. Sounds Republican to me.
Cat Atomic@39 Get over it. This is not the progessive party of America, this is the democratic party. Most dems are middle of the road voters, not part of the progressive left. I have yet in my lifetime seen anyone that I thought was anywhere near my politics. This has become of vote to stop the slide to facisim and war. I don't pretend to think I am going to get a left, progressive democrat. The democratic party has always been a party that leans alittle bit to the left, but always stays in the middle.
The Smiths - Expose the Crooks @ 43:
"The often embarrassingly cautious Obama campaign had been slow to sign on to the pledge."
Wow....Impressive....Obama is second to last! Woo Hoo!! He's got my vote!!!
These two idiots (Obama and Clinton) fighting over who is less of an idiot makes me sick to my stomach.
raker@40 What do mean give us? If your not happy with who the two partys have running, you've got four years to start working to get that progressive third party going.
Policy means more to me than endorsments.
Months ago, the polls said Democrats were happy with their choices...and I was. Since then, we've lost Richardson, Dodd and Edwards. I am no longer happy with my choices.
Cat Atomic @ 39:
Either one is better than a can of piss.
krankenkopf @ 49:
And we've lost Brittany so we got that to deal with too. Thank God Oprah, Maria Shriver and DeNiro is there to point us in the right direction.
'Pop' goes the "culture".
diamondmc @ 47:
I was going to do my part and vote for Edwards. He's one of the many qualified candidates who couldn't even get their names mentioned by the MSM and were forced to drop out. The TV networks couldn't jeopardize the exciting contest they'd contrived between Mr. Inspiration and Ms. Polarizing. As long as people continue to rely on information from the networks, we're screwed. TV news is a dark cave. None of the images there are real.
Is it possible for people in this country to make a decision not influenced by a celebrity, famous person or TV anymore?
All of you folks who are disappointed with the final two choices on the Dem side can take heart. You can always cross over to the dark side and vote for McCain, Huckabee or Romney. Hell, you can vote for Paul if that rings your bell.
Cat Atomic @ 39:
So write in George McGovern or Eugene McCarthy on your ballot. Or Ralph Nader, for that matter.
You know what Progressive purity will get you - President McCain, permanent war and more Scalitos on the Supreme Court.
Politics is the Art of the Possible, not Perfection.
I thought, if Barack Obama was a state, he’d be California
Hmmm, I wonder how the people of Illinois feel about that statement.
Wow you guys are terrible. I mean, could it possibly be that John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, Maria Shriver, Oprah and hundreds of others actually think he's the best fit person to be President? These people aren't "starstruck" - Oprah sees celebrities every day, Maria Shriver used to LIVE in LA, it's not like some "rockstar" us a new thing to them.
And the hundreds of newspaper endorsements? The LA Times, La Opinion, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, these guys are all starstruck as well? And Paul Volcker? Could it perhaps be that he really thinks Obama's economic plan and understanding of markets is the best?
I mean, to say that all these hundreds of people and newspapers are coming out in favor of Obama is because they're "stupid" or "starstruck" is just insulting to a lot of people who've worked very hard to get where they're at. People really and truly believe Obama is the right man for the job, especially right now. They want to be united, inspired and enlightened by a leader who makes them want to follow in his footsteps.
Really, the haters are just missing out.
In agreement with a comment above - Obama can't beat McCain- if he wins, we are in for a hellatious 8 years -yes 8.. and
Maria is a TERRIBLE public speaker- I can't even stand the tonality of her voice - like fingernails n a chalkboard.
i have a question for all the edwards supporters....do all you guys have such a short memory?
only 4 years ago, edwards touted himself as the most conservative of the prez candidates...it was one of the reasons kerry picked him as vp
he didnt spout his populist stuff until he started running this season
maybe i missed something, but in the two years before he announced, was he working with homeless and poverty groups? was he working with homeless vet groups?
im all for overnight conversions, but it seems that the voters werent really buying into his new found populism
Really, the haters are just missing out.
What a perfect summation of the Obama love fest. Just put aside your valid concerns for yet another miserable election choice and join the celebration. Yay!
Don't worry, they'll just Keating 5 McCain in the last couple of weeks before the election
IdahoMo@48: We agree, endorsements don't mean a thing to me; made by
whomever for whoever...it is the person who best represents my views/beliefs
for whom I will vote. Next thing you know, Britney or Paris, or one of them-there
other Hollywood types will come out endorsing who know who...and we are supposed to be impressed. Come on people, think for yourselves.
Jason B @ 57:
I dont care what they think. Does the word democracy mean anything to you? You see, THEY should care what WE think not the other way.
Another Kennedy for Obama and for the same superficial reasons. Yawn.
uncle joe mccarthy @ 59:
I'm still scratching my head on that one UJM, even after Kucinich threw over to Obama in Iowa ? WTF
BDM @ 60:
Sure, yeah, or you could just hire another 51% President, a Clinton with even MORE baggage than Bill, who'll get nothing done the entire time she's in office because the Republicans will be so unified against her that she'll be out of the office on her ass in 4 years. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.
Republicans, Independents and Democrats all support Obama, because we want change. Now don't get me wrong - change isn't the answer, it isn't the solution. Change is a METHOD. When you agree to sit down and listen to the other side, that's the first step. But it's a crucial step that Hillary will not make.
Hillary is a damn good fighter, but we don't need another fighter. The Republicans ar eexpecting a fighter, who they can bury with negative ads. Nothing touches Obama, he instead draws people together to work things out. That's what it's about.
If you can't see that, then you're just missing out. That's alright, though, because there's always room for you when you come around. That's the point.
Oh-oh, Barack's got the skeletal vote!
Floridiot @ 65:
and to me, kucinich was the least superficial of the bunch
if i had a magic wand, i would put kucinich's ideas and mind into the body of obama...he then becomes the perfect candidate....albeit, with two hot wives instead of one
it just really bugs me when i keep seeing the same posts from the supporters of guys like edwards and dodd
the saddest thing to me, is that the man that i want to be president....the man who isnt afraid to take on the powers that be and the corporatists...the man who would really end the occupation....cant ever run for prez...and that is one russ feingold....cuz no matter what changes in this country, a trice divorced jew will never get elected to the highest post in the land
diamondmc @ 37:
"Get u out of this war" I'm not in a WAR?
Anyway, Obama needs to start providing real answers to real problems, hope does not cut it...
Floridiot @ 65:
To me, the real problem isnt the republican party. Its corporate (wealthy) control of the country. Kucinich understood this - I supported Kucinich. I also believe Edwards understood this - given his lifes work fighting corporations.
Programs and policies that DONT address the fact that YOU and I dont control this country are superficial. The governments basic structure has been compromised and needs fixing. McCain, Clinton and O'Bama wont address this problem. I believe Kucinich or Edwards might have.
I would trade healthcare for corporate control of the government being destroyed.
Me? I'm just hoping that Barack pulls a GWB 2000, only in the left direction :)
Oh please oh please oh please
Obama -'08!
Gobama!
[Quote function not functioning]
Jason B @66:
I'll choose either Clinton or Obama in the general election, but reluctantly. Obama is More of Same, not Change, like his podium placard says. Here's a good assessment of Obama from Harper's: http://www.harpers.org/archive/2006/11/0081275
His backers are the same old special interests you always get with Presidential candidates: powerful Beltway law firms, multinational agribusiness corporations, PR & lobbying companies. That's not to say that Obama won't be an improvement over Bush, and probably better than any of the Republican candidates, but still, this is yet another hold-your-nose-and-vote excercise and nothing to get excited about. Moreover, nobody is accusing Obama's supporters of being star struck; they are simply not as enthusiastic about his campaign as you seem to be.
Johnny2Bad @ 46:
Perhaps they were in no big hurry to sign on to some contrived pledge which is linked to Ron Paul.
http://www.americanfreedomcampaign.org/index.php?option=com_content&task...
BDM @ 73:
it functions if you use ie6 or firefox
anon @ 70:
edwards spent his life suing corporations...aint the same as fighting them
they paid out, and kept up with their practices
edwards is also a part of the american ruling class...just like obama and clinton...dont kid yourself
if edwards had done what gore did after losing the election, maybe i would buy into his rhetoric....but he didnt
Obama -’08! please dont beg its unseamily
it functions if you use ie6 or firefox
I'm using IE6. The function works on other C&L posts, just not this one for some reason. Also, no preview function & no refresh button.
phoney as a six dollar bill!!!!!!!!!!!
BDM-
I use the Yahoo browser, which is based on IE, and I get the same thing on many threads- but only threads with YouTube embeds!
IE is slow to update. Firefox updates quickly. I'm switching soon.
tyree @ 79-
How about two three dollar bills?
ps- You had a great game last night!
Thanks Andy
diamondmc @ 45:
Sorry, but these candidates are a result of the corporate media and our screwy primary system, which gives places like New Hampshire way too much influence-- not the political center of the Democratic Party.
Jason B @ 57:
Really, "Jason"...I haven't heard such unadulterated new age double talk Crapolasince this guy was making millions off the limitless gullibility of "lovers" like you.
Helllllllllllllp.
uncle joe mccarthy @ 76:
Go, Unka Go. Way to fight the fight that ain't a fight anymore.
Well, of course.
Maria Shriver knows her husband is in BIG trouble in California due to huge budget deficits and the cutting of state services.
To get re-elected, they'll need BOTH Republican and Democratic votes in the next gubernatorial election.
One endorses Obama; one endorses John McCain.
Either way, a a political couple, THEY WIN.
It's why she said, "This is good for California."
Gimme a break.
Cat Atomic@83 Keep drinking that kool-aid, if it makes you feel better.
Yeah, so what if Shriver endorsed Obama, her opinion is meaningless. I don't have any respect for the judgment of a woman who marries a lout and a bully.
That said, Hillary's negatives are way to high to beat McCain in a general election. Go Obama!
When it comes to big policy issues like where do Obama and Hillary stand on the troops in Iraq..........oh look at that shiny rock!!! Wow. And look, there's Britney naked.
Yes, Clinton, and to a lesser degree Obama, represent the corporate wing of the Democratic party. Both of them are flush with corporate cash. It's the best we're going to get. Face it, we're not going to get a truly economic Progressive President whichever way you turn. The only factor that's really important is who gets to appoint the next Supreme Court Justice. That will have a far more long reaching effect than any 4-8 year Presidency. For civil liberties, civil rights, women's issues, the working and middle class, the ability to regulate corporations or hold them accountable for criminal behavior, the environment, real campaign finance reform, all will lose out if McCain gets elected. He has promised to appoint Conservative ideologues to the courts who will rule unconstitutional any Progressive legislation that comes out of Congress. And for you potential Nader voters, if you really care about any of those things, you should be very concerned that a Republican does not name the next Supreme.
Little Strokes Fell Great Oaks. If I can't have my big jump to the Left, I'll take a hop and a skip. 12 years and I might just be where I want to be.
I'm so disappointed that Clinton supporters keep harping on how wrong it is for Obama supporters to be so passionate about their candidate. Aren't you passionate for Clinton? If not, then maybe you are really sure she is the right one.
I'm going to vote for the candidate who was a civil rights attorney, who taught constitutional law, who had enough years in the state legislature to understand what federal laws mean at the state level. Civil right, the consitution, state and local issues are important to me as well as the big issues of the occupation of Iraq, health care, jobs and education.
I'm going to vote for the candidate who said he would give some relief to those of us who are self-employed by reducing the hit we take on FICA.
I'm going to vote for the candidate who is drawing new voters to the polls, helping to grow the Democratic party by bringing in a new generation.
But otherwise, yeah, it's just the shiny rock.
“I thought, if Barack Obama was a state, he’d be California,” Shriver said, addressing thousands of people at a rally headlined by talk show host Oprah Winfrey. “Diverse, open, smart, independent, bucks tradition. Innovative. Inspirational. Dreamer. Leader.” [..]
This is getting ludicrous, not to mention nauseatingly close to idolatry. Obama is not any kind of Messiah. He's a politician, and not even a very good one. Has anybody even really analyzed what he stands for? After years of not voting because I became convinced the system was unreformable, I reregistered to vote for this election hoping to get a real change candidate in there, Kucinich or even Edwards, but now I'm just being offered an establishment hackette and a smarmy New Age guru who is a triumph of image over substance. I might just end up voting for McCain as well, just to give the whole rotten edifice its well deserved death blow. Class war now!
I was astonished at a posting on Huffington Post. Someone said they were voting for Obama because the "right" people were supporting him. Right? Who proclaimed Princess Caroline, Old Ted and Maria as the "right" people. This is so alarming that some people do not look beyond celebrity. Frightening
OBAMA.... THE MAN THE GOP CAN'T BEAT....
You can view photos of Barack Obama and Caroline Kennedy on the campaign trail in Colorado at:
http://www.digpicphoto.com/barack_obama.htm
GMFORD @ 92:
GMFORD @ 92, I think you said it all. We now have the choice either to see more pain and destruction at the hands of the Right, or to vote for the preservation of some semblance of progressive idealism in the form of a man who is willing to stand for our principles in a pragmatic way.
bah, i might vote for obama tomorrow but it sure won't be because of shriver or oprah.
There is nothing I would love more than to campaign vigorously for the first viable woman candidate for the President of the United States. How wonderful it would be to show our daughters that women could reach the highest stations in the land. However, I have a problem that began October 11, 2002.
On the eve of October 10th, 2002, I wrote a letter, which I e-mailed, to as many Democratic Congressmen and women as I could find e-mail addresses for. For hours, I sat and pasted the letter into their individual websites, the only way I could find to communicate with most. Others were faxed my letter, and I faxed the letter to the Democratic Leadership of both houses.
In this letter, I begged my Democratic members of Congress not to abdicate their oath of office by awarding President Bush a blank check to go into Iraq. I reminded them that the Constitution stated, “Only Congress may declare war”.
I reminded them that President Bush, the V.P., and most of the media was intractably locked into “The March to War”, which was the “headline logo” appearing on all mainstream news, all the time.
In addition to begging them not to abdicate their oath of office, I reminded them of all the doubt that existed with regard to the intelligence. Leaks from the State Department warned that many aspects of the intelligence were exaggerated. I had read the British white paper released on September 24th, it was on the internet. I had read the reports about the conclusions of the NIE released on October 1, 2002, and was well aware that even given the climate at the time, many of our intelligence professionals were risking their careers to get the word out that Mr. Bush’s conclusions about the intelligence were in conflict with the thinking of most intelligence professionals.
I had read that Vice President Cheney had gone to the intelligence community, sat at the desks of mid-level intelligence analysts, and suggested that if they were unable to find a link between Saddam Hussein and Bin Laden, they were failing in their positions.
I had read reports that the intelligence community had long discredited Ahmed Chalabi, the source of much of the false “intelligence”.
When I saw Tenet’s face, ducked, guilty, as he sat behind Colin Powell at the U.N. during that disgraceful “snow job” that most of the world was wise enough to see though, I knew we were in trouble.
Finally, I told Democratic members of Congress that if they abdicated their oath by providing this President a blank check to go to war, they would never again have my support for elected office. I meant it.
They had a duty to vote yes or no, to demand the right to vote on the eve of war and decide that tonight, given the information we have today, we must/or must not, go to war. Political cowardice caused a majority of Congress, including Senator Clinton, to shift the responsibility in violation of the Constitution of the United States, the same Constitution they all took an oath to defend.
So here we are in 2008. As a result of that vote, we have lost credibility in the world.
We have lost thousands of our young men and women, we have maimed thousands more of our men and women, and we shirk on our responsibilities to provide them adequate medical and mental health care when they come home.
We have set the precedent of offensive war, invaded a sovereign nation that had done us no harm, killed countless Iraqi men, women, and children, maimed countless more, and we have displaced millions of Iraqis.
We have failed to find, arrest, try, or convict Osama Bin Laden.
We have violated the Geneva Convention and international and disgraced ourselves by saying we do not torture while the evidence circles the globe.
We have given the once small group of radical Islamic terrorists a huge recruiting boost and created fear and hate for this nation in a generation of Islamic children.
We have spent trillions of dollars on an illegal war resulting in dire financial consequences for our nation.
We have privatized war, allowing a few “insider” corporations to reap obscene profits from this war.
We have ignored our needs at home as we watch our jobs shipped overseas, wages decline, unemployment and underemployment escalate and our infrastructure crumble.
We demonstrate our uselessness to help when our citizens face natural disasters, illness, falling home values, and the decimation of the services that protect us from irresponsible and greedy corporations that decide doing harm to customers, neighbors, the environment, and their employees is more “cost effective” than the responsible and reasonable measures to prevent harm and comply with existing law, law that means nothing when there are no enforcement agencies capable of oversight and tort reform will soon prevent the average guy from seeking legal remedy when he has been harmed.
We have watched as the fear mongers of this administration have orchestrated the expansion of executive power and the demise of privacy and due process.
This is no small mistake. We need a President who had the intelligence and the wisdom to know the right thing to do and the political courage to do it when it was not popular.
Therefore, I will not be supporting Senator Clinton tomorrow.
I will be proud to support another groundbreaking candidate.
Senator Obama got it right. I believe that Senator Obama has the wisdom, the intelligence, and the political courage to lead this nation out of this dark time.
I believe that Barack Obama is the candidate who will best say to the world that America has decided to get it right and change our ways. This is a brilliant man, a man that will provide an iconic image for this nation and the world. This is a leader, and he will have my vote tomorrow.
Maria Shriver's endorsement is soooooo huge that her husband is supporting someone else.
What's wrong with this picture? Who really cares what Arnold's wife thinks?
This is the third or fourth website to use the term "huge" in reporting the news.
Do y'all get the same talking points like they do in wingnuttia?
Coming soon: "The Hunt for Red November," starring Barak Obama and the Dem Dum Dums. Watch the Democrats blow the election that no one thought they could possibly lose. Then watch as the Dems walk around all depressed and talk about how much life sucks because they will have another four years of the same ol' thing. Some change!
loubie @ 101:
Do you really believe Hillary can beat McCain? Hillary loses to McCain. Obama has a chance.
Think about this: with all of the studies that show Obama is more electable in a general election than Hillary, why would we be choose to risk it all with a pro-corporate candidate like Clinton? It would be like telling ourselves that we'll go ahead and make compromise with the opposition before we are outright defeated. ...fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice...
I found a post that suggested to look and compare Obama and Hillary's legislative experience (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/02/04/ga_a_gop_tie_obama_l...), so I did, And took a look at them in the Library of Congress http://thomas.loc.gov/ (go to the website, then select either Clinton or Obama in the 'Select a Senator' dropdown list). You'll get a list of their bills during the Senate 2007-2008 sessions.
I found 150 bills related to Hillary, and 113 bills related to Obama.
However, I found there were more bills by Obama that are concerned about important issues (such as voter-fraud, energy efficiency, healthcare, war on terror etc.) compared to Hillary's, which was a surprise.
According to this post at http://blog.washingtonpost.com, Obama also sponsored over 820 bills during his first 8 years of his elected service. He introduced:
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.
I had an impression that Obama was still an amateur compared to Hillary in terms of legislative experience, but I'm starting to see a different picture now.
Go take a look at http://thomas.loc.gov/, what do you think? Are there any official records available that will counter this impression I have now? Or am I just missing the point?
I found a post that suggested to look and compare Obama and Hillary’s legislative experience http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/02/04/ga_a_gop_tie_obama_l..., so I did, And took a look at them in the Library of Congress http://thomas.loc.gov/ (go to the website, then select either Clinton or Obama in the ‘Select a Senator’ dropdown list). You’ll get a list of their bills during the Senate 2007-2008 sessions.
I found 150 bills related to Hillary, and 113 bills related to Obama.
However, I found there were more bills by Obama that are concerned about important issues (such as voter-fraud, energy efficiency, healthcare, war on terror etc.) compared to Hillary’s, which was a surprise.
According to this post at Washington Post, Obama also sponsored over 820 bills during his first 8 years of his elected service. He introduced:
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.
I had an impression that Obama was still an amateur compared to Hillary in terms of legislative experience, but I’m starting to see a different picture now.
Go take a look at http://thomas.loc.gov/, what do you think? Are there any official records available that will counter this impression I have now? Or am I just missing the point?
Site monitor, can you please the post at 103? I messed up the link. Please delete this post too. Sorry to bother you.
Is the MSM gonna make the claim that Obama is getting fake endorsements?
Maybe all these people backing Obama want to fool us into voting for Hillary or looney bin mccain.
Anywho...
Obama all the way!
Gail Frank@99
Thank you. Well said.
loubie @ 101:
Errrr, the past two elections were rigged. We would of had proof if your chimpy required paper ballots and were honest.
We will never have 4 more long years with any repug.
Face it, repugs won't win especially if repugs chose dingbat mccain, 5-sons-no enlistment mit or wacked out huckaberry finn. All of them are liars and warmongers.
Obama will lose to McCain. Why do progressives hate America; setting themselves and America up for defeat?
Maria and Arnold knew each other political opinions before they got married. This not news.
GoodGod @ 109:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Good one.
(Posted elsewhere as well, for those bothered by that...)
An Obama win means a Red November for GOP, and a Blu...blue, blue, blue Christmas for Dems. Thank ya very much.
(Loubie has left the building.)
is it true that maria crushes walnuts by head butting them?
The trolls are scared.
I haven't seen this many trolls in a long time.
GG why do you cherish war and destruction? Why would you follow a repug that kills and torture? Why would you blindly follow repugs who lie, steal and cheat?
I'm glad your type, repug type are going to be gone with the wind.
Obama Rally, Edward Jones Dome, St Louis MO ( 02-02-2008 )
Phenomenal rally here in downtown St. Louis Saturday, around 20,000 people in attendance. Security was tight, I had to go through a complete check of all my bags and equipment, as well as a bomb sniffing dog. There was Secret Service everywhere, one of them grabbed me when I tried to climb on a light stand because even though I had a press pass it was hard to find a good vantage point for taking pictures, nice clean-cut young man. :-) Tons of TV there, at least 25 video teams, we still photographers were getting no respect.
I ran into the broadcast team from NHK (Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai) the Japan Broadcasting Corp. at the press sign in table. They didn't have any US press credentials so I had to vouch for them. :-) You know it's big when those guys show up. I did the traditional Japanese exchange of business cards with one of the cameramen, cool. :-)
Obama 08, we will WIN!!!
Actually, all the stories are about endorsements by very establishment people who always want to align with possible or probable power. But there are definitely inspiring words spoken by Obama, and he's a nice looking guy too.
But there isn't room in the papers or many progressive blogs to carry the New York story on Exelon and Obama and the latter's strange statements and also behavior that doesn't show leadership but instead acquiescing to a large corporation that weakens any attempted corrections of dangerous circumstances.
And saying that he passed a bill that was never passed is also disconcerting.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/us/politics/03exelon.html
or, http://tinyurl.com/2t44t7
Gail Frank from Northfield NJ @ 99:
Wah?? "...political courage..."??? Like missing important votes (Kyl-Lieberman) and running from the tough choices (130 "present" votes)??? Voting to fund the war three times...getting involved in shady property deals...being called "a player" by the biggest lobbyist in D.C.???
If that is your idea of "wisdom, intelligence and courage" than you deserve this empty suit as your candidate. But most importantly, if you think a black liberal can get elected POTUS in AmeriKKKA. You truly have guzzled the Koolaid.
I feel sick.
The kind of America I want is one that returns to our traditional values. Equally important is the need for a leader to inspire us, we the people, to get actively involved in the political process -- in other words someone who empowers the people. And that leader must be an agent for change. While some candidates are claiming the mantle of change there is only one candidate whose actions prove it. Uniting the country is also a priority. Without hope there is nothing to look forward to.
I spent the past 2 years doing research on each candidate: republican and democratic alike. I began leaning toward Barack Obama early on because the more I read about him the better I liked him. I probably made the decision to vote for Obama at least a year and a half ago.
Some women may feel they are being disloyal if they do not vote for the only woman candidate. However last Sunday four powerful women: Maria Shriver (1st Lady of California), Caroline Kennedy (JFK's daughter), Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama spoke to an audience of over 20,000 people. [see link to watch Maria Shriver speech below] Other powerful women who endorsed Obama include leaders of Feminist movements, Ethel Kennedy, Susan Eisenhower (Eisenhower's granddaughter who is a republican) and lots more. So if any questions linger for the women interested in Obama, but feel they are being disloyal, you can put that to rest.
Barack Obama is the only candidate drawing well over ten-thousand people to each campaign event: Boise, Idaho: 12,000 plus; Minneapolis, Minnesota: 20,000 plus; Denver, Colorado: 15,000 plus; Phoenix, Arizona: 13,000. People are inspired and excited by this candidate.
One of the arguments used against Obama is his promise of hope. Some accuse him of offering false hope. There is no such thing as false hope. To keep hope alive today and tomorrow requires the right kind of leadership. The millions of people voting for Obama decided his leadership will bring about change through uniting the country that gives us hope for tomorrow.
Hope and inspiration are very powerful e_motions. That is why conservatives and republicans are voting for Obama. Democrats, liberals and progressives are voting for Obama. Young and old are voting for Barack. Males and females are voting for Obama. The politics of hope are winning over the politics of fear.
Obama is a visionary who knows how to get from point A to point B and on to Z if need be. His track-record proves he connects and unites people of all stripes: age, colour, gender regardless of party affiliation. Legislation he has written and co-sponsored proves he works across party lines without compromising his principles. Obama passionately believes in his causes thus acts on his convictions. Remember actions speak louder than words.
A president sets the tone of the country.Obama wants to change the mind-set: change the thinking for instance what got us into war in the first place. It will not be easy nor will it occur overnight, but ultimately we are the only ones who will change the direction of this country. With someone like Obama as president just think of what we can accomplish together over time.
Everyone is clamouring for change, but unless we are willing to put our money where our mouth is, we'll end-up with politics as usual. Making wise decisions based on sound judgment is more important than "experience" and division. Obama's "experiences" as a community organizer, a Constitutional professor, a civil rights attorney an Illinois state senator, (life-experiences outside of Washington) and as a US Senator will bring fresh ideas for newer, different and better ways to operate.
Comparatively who do you think is more likely to bring about change: someone entrenched in Washington's political climate or someone new and fresh to the scene?
Too often we (myself included) fail to recognize, sometimes small, sometimes phenomenal opportunities and later regret it. America stands at the threshold of a monumental and historical moment. The opportunity to make great strides is before us. As a nation, let's not let this one slip by. If we rise above the clouds we can clearly see that this moment is too, too important to watch it slip away!
If Obama is your choice, vote for Obama; if Hillary is your choice, vote for Hillary, but don't allow the 'electability' issue to sway you. Otherwise based on that premise it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy by your own design. Furthermore if you are not willing to vote your conscience and aspirations why then would anyone else?
If you want change and unity vote for the candidate you feel is most likely and capable of uniting the country.
Most of all, vote Your truth.
Vote your conscience.
Vote your hopes, dreams and aspirations.
Vote for the candidate who moves You.
Obama moves me.
I deeply believe he can lead us toward better times ahead, if given the chance.
Obama's background and experiences prepared him for this moment.
With a deep understanding of the human psyche and a grasp of world events and how the two are inseparable indicates Obama is uniquely qualified to become the next president.
His words are inspiring and his vision is something that we all share: hope for tomorrow.
The voice of hope is alive.
can I haz muslem preznit now, plz?
Maria Shriver is an anorexic freak and her husband is a sexual harasser.
What's not to like?
any1 has the video of Robert Deniro endorsing Obama,
ack @ 119:
you need a few brain cells instead of any thing else,
Shoephone is right -- anorexia does seem to be a problem with Maria S., but I think she rox. But do agree that Ahhnold should be shot. Failing that, smoked out. But who really cares? Obama is our next preznit, so let's talk about scientology!. Could somebody plz explain to me in terms that we all understand what the hell a Christian Scientist is? I'm actually a scientist. Was raised a Christian. Can't figure out what they might have to do with each other. Sure, the Jeebus I was taught was cool, but a scientist? What the? My understanding of science has all to do with testable hypotheses. Where does this come in re: Jeebus? What am I missing? Are these people crazy, or is it me?
some1 @ 122:
One of these daze a rain is gonna fall and wash all the scum off the streets. You know Bobby was talking 'bout the Clintons, yo.
but, but, but arnold said to vote for john mccain....
McCain Confirms It: A Vote for Him Is a Vote for a Third Bush Term
Submitted by BuzzFlash on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 1:24pm. Alerts
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
DNC Press
Washington, DC - During appearances on Fox News Sunday and CBS's Face the Nation, John McCain made it clear: a vote for him is a vote for a third Bush term. Echoing his earlier statement that we could be in Iraq for 100 years, he said again that he would continue Bush's never ending civil war in Iraq. "We have to take care of the world's security," McCain said.
"The choice between the Democrats and Republicans couldn't be more clear. A vote for John McCain is a vote for a third Bush term with a never ending war in Iraq and an economy that favors those at the top. A vote for a Democrat is a vote to bring our troops home from Iraq, for an economy that works for all Americans, and a return to America's priorities," said Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton.
McCain: A Third Bush Term
"They want to have the government run the health care system in America. I want the private sector to do it. On the issue of national security policy, there are very sharp differences... They want to withdraw from Iraq and if we do that al Qaeda wins." [Face the Nation, 2/3/2008]
"I have a strong conservative record and I'm proud of that record and I also believe on the national security side it's going to be a clear difference between me and Senator Clinton or Senator Obama. A clear difference on whether we're going to increase spending or decrease spending, increase taxes or decrease taxes, whether we're going to withdraw from Iraq or we're going to see this thing through to the success." [Fox News Sunday, 2/3/2008]
McCain's 100 Year War in Iraq: "We have to take care of the world's security"
"...This strategy is succeeding. Ad I believe that if we had set a date for withdrawal or if we do set a date for withdrawal, al Qaeda will then win and we'll see chaos and genocide in the region. That's another significant difference that Senator Clinton and I have...and I look forward to discussing it. It's not a matter of how long Americans stay. It's a matter of American casualties. And those casualties are coming down and we can eliminate them. Look, we're in Kuwait right next door to Iraq. We're in turkey. We're in Bosnia. We're all over the world. One of the obligations, unfortunately, of being a great superpower is that we have to take care of the world's security." [Fox News Sunday, 2/3/2008]
McCain: More of the Same Bush Supreme Court
"I would appoint justices such as the ones I've strongly supported and gotten through the Senate with the help of many others or help along with others. Only those who strictly interpret the constitution of the United States and do not legislate from the bench... If you have justices that have a clear, conservative, a clear, strict interpretation of the constitution of the United States, then you don't have to worry about what their decisions will be." [Fox News Sunday, 2/3/2008]
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/alerts/331
Women need to show more open support for Obama and show that not all women will vote for the Hillary just because she's a woman. New Hampshire was a fluke.
I also agree the Maria has eating issues! She looks god-awful.
kpeter @ 104:
thanks for this IMPORTANT info. The WaPo link does NOT work. Could you repost,and give the title/author, so I can search their data base ??
Maria Shriver is a great speaker! I hadn't heard her in front of a crowd before.
I don't think her endorsement is causing headaches within the Schwarzenegger household; I see this as Arnold hedging his bets because he knows that a Dem will be in the Oval Office come 2009.
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