Delegate Update

So, on the morning of Bill and Hillary's last stand, here's where we are:

Barack Obama - 1194

Hillary Clinton - 1037

That's + 157 for Obama

With agitated superdelegates added:

Barack Obama - 1388

Hillary Clinton - 1275

That's + 113 for Obama

Here's hoping that hope prevails over fear today...

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That is, of course, unless it's something you want big brother FED to govern.

That is excellent writing. There's an art to being able to put words together like that.

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No. Not at all.

[You idiots! You're supposed to do this in August and October, not February. (A sigh of resignation as the GOP searches for a soulless Dr. Evil to replace Delay and Rove.)]

February 28, 2008

RNC Denounces Use of 'Hussein' in Obama's Name

(Clinton News Netwerk) ? Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan formally denounced Thursday the Tennessee Republican Party's use of Barack Obama's full name in a recent press release questioning the Illinois senator's commitment to Israel.

?The RNC rejects these kinds of campaign tactics," RNC Chairman Mike Duncan said in a statement. "We believe this election needs to be about the critical issues confronting our nation.?

The statement in question, which was released Monday, said the state party is joining a "growing chorus of Americans concerned about the future of the nation of Israel?if Sen. Barack Hussein Obama is elected president of the United States.? It also included a photograph of Obama from a 2006 trip to Kenya in which he is dressed in traditional attire worn by area Muslims.

The press release was sparked by recent praise for the Illinois senator from Nation of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan, who has made several derogatory remarks about Judaism and has indicated his support for Obama. At Tuesday night's MSNBC debate, Obama said he denounced those comments and did not seek Farrakhan's support.

On Wednesday night the party removed both the photo and the reference of Hussein from the statement after Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander called to express his belief that using them had become a distraction, Tennessee GOP Communications Director Bill Hobbs told CNN.

http://www.njdc.org/njdcspeaks/detail.php?id=779

NJDC DEMANDS MCCAIN DENOUNCE TENNESSEE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR SMEAR RELEASE AGAINST OBAMA

Tennessee GOP tried to tie Obama to anti-Semitism

February 27, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/27/08

WASHINGTON, D.C. ? Today, the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) demanded that Senator John McCain condemn the Tennessee Republican Party for issuing a smear release against Senator Barack Obama which reprehensibly attempted to tie him to anti-Semitism. In addition, NJDC called on McCain to instruct all his campaign surrogates not to use charges of anti-Semitism for political purposes.

?The Tennessee Republican Party has attempted to smear Barack Obama in a crude, cynical outburst of dirty politics,? said NJDC Executive Director Ira N. Forman. ?To use anti-Semitism for political gamesmanship is an insult to Jews of all political persuasions. And frankly, such a blatant stunt isn?t going to fool anyone.?

On Febuary 21, the Tennessee Republican Party issued a press release entitled ?Anti-Semites for Obama.? The title alone is enough to classify the release as dirty politics. The text of the release is filled with misinformation and demagoguery. For example, the release incorrectly states that Robert Malley is a ?principle foreign policy adviser? to the Obama campaign and disingenuously attempts to tie Obama to Louis Farrakhan ? despite the Senator?s condemnation of Mr. Farrakhan.

?John McCain not only needs to condemn this act immediately, he needs to call off the hounds and instruct Republicans to stop spreading smears on his behalf,? continued Forman. ?Otherwise, we can only assume that this self-proclaimed straight talker consents to such smear tactics.?

The Tennessee GOP?s release comes in the wake of Republican Rep. Jack Kingston?s (GA) demagogic comment that Obama "may not love the nation he wants to lead." In a post on NJDC?s blog (blog.njdc.org), Forman wrote that ?the GOP could show some courage and true patriotism if their presumptive nominee, John McCain, would repudiate such shameful use of patriotism by one of his supporters.?

http://njdc.typepad.com/njdcs_blog/2008/02/beneath-contemp.html

Delegate Update

Barack Obama: 1168

Hillary Clinton: 1018

With migrating superdelegates added -

Barack Obama: 1,329

Hillary Clinton: 1,252

Obama Hammers Clinton Again with Ten Straight Nominating Wins

MADISON, Wisconsin (AFP) ? Surging Barack Obama hammered White House foe Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin's primary Tuesday, racking up his ninth win in a row in the bitter Democratic White House race.

Obama's victory cemented his front-runner status, and left Clinton needing an astonishing turnaround in must-win contests in her firewall states of Ohio and Texas on March 4 to keep her fading presidential hopes alive.

"I think we've achieved liftoff here," said Obama, as he addressed a delirious rally in Houston, Texas, which hosts NASA's mission control for US space missions, as he set a rhetorical course the November 4 presidential vote.

"The change we seek is still months and miles away," he said.

Though Obama and Clinton had been tightly matched going into the primary, which had 74 delegates on offer, he swept to a comprehensive win. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Obama led 58 percent to 41 percent.

Way to the west in the Pacific, the Democratic caucus saw an unprecedented turnout overwhelm precinct volunteers and party officials. With 68 percent of precincts reporting, Obama led 76 percent to 23 percent.

Clinton, stung by another grievous blow to her hopes of becoming America's history-making first woman president, pleaded with voters to pause to consider who was truly qualified to lead the country.

"Both Senator Obama and I would make history. But only one of us is ready on day...
In a clear sign of their relative standing in the race, most cable television networks abruptly cut away from coverage of Clinton's rally when Obama began to speak in Texas.

Obama's win was his ninth straight victory in a row since the deadlocked Super Tuesday nationwide clash two weeks ago.

On the face of it, Wisconsin, with its legions of blue collar white voters, should have been Clinton territory, but exit polls showed Obama repeating his feat in the Virginia and Maryland primaries last week of cutting into her power base.

He shared Clinton's core constituency of women, and union households. The former first lady won only one age group, voters aged 60 and older.

Households who earn less than 50,000 dollars also narrowly went for Obama, and he also won the category of households earning more than that figure.

Copyright ? 2008 AFP. All rights reserved.

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That wasn't directed at fiscal conservatives who aren't knuckle-dragging goons like old Bill here. But know now that this is gonna get real ugly this summer. Expect a lot more of the same.

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Doesn't sound like Hillary's style. Sounds like you're run of the mill Republican bigots at play. Hey, did anyone notice Obama is black? (Pssst... you know they hate white people.) Ahhhh, a sh*tload of honesty and integrity, Republican style. And it's not even springtime yet. Let your inner bigot run free.

Hillary Campaign: Hillary Can "Plagiarize" but Obama Can't

By Eric Kleefeld
February 18, 2008

The Clinton campaign is busy pushing a new line of attack against Barack Obama: That he plagiarized a section of his speech this past weekend at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin dinner, from a speech given two years ago by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a prominent Obama supporter.

The Clinton campaign argues that this act of plagiarism fundamentally, along with the current arguments about taking public financing, seriously undermine Obama's candidacy. "So if you're asking the electorate to judge you on your promises and you break them, and on your rhetoric and you lift it," argued campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson on a conference call with reporters, "there are fundamental questions that are raised about that campaign and that candidacy."

Election Central asked Wolfson about comments in this morning's New York Times from Patrick himself, who said he freely exchanges speech ideas with Obama and didn't think a citation was necessary. Wolfson said the plagiarism charge still holds because listeners go in with the assumption that Obama's speeches are original, unless credit is given. "So I think it's fine that Deval Patrick said that," Wolfson said. "But what I'm concerned about is that the public has an expectation that Sen. Obama's words are his own."

When asked about Hillary Clinton "plagiarizing" her husband's words at Coretta Scott King's funeral Wolfson replied: "Sen. Clinton is not running on the strength of her rhetoric,"

Ha ha ha...

Gallop Poll: Barack Obama Enjoys His First Statistically Significant Lead Over Hillary Clinton

February 16, 2008

PRINCETON, NJ -- For several days, nationwide Democratic voters' preferences have been shifting toward Barack Obama in Gallup Poll Daily election tracking. Now, the Illinois senator enjoys his first statistically significant lead, 49% to 42%, over Hillary Clinton, according to the Feb. 13-15 results. Additionally, the 49% support for Obama represents the high point for him in the daily tracking program.

Obama has won the last eight Democratic primaries or caucuses, and hopes to make it 10 straight on Tuesday in Wisconsin and Hawaii. The tracking data reflect the Obama momentum since the Feb. 5 Super Tuesday primaries, moving from a +13 Clinton advantage in Feb. 3-5 polling to a +7 Obama lead in the latest results.

Superdelegate Update

Barack Obama has picked up 13. Hillary Clinton has lost 3.

John Lewis, a Clinton Ally, Tilts to Obama



By JEFF ZELENY and PATRICK HEALY
The New York Times
February 15, 2008

MILWAUKEE ? Representative John Lewis, an elder statesman from the civil rights era and one of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton?s most prominent black supporters, said Thursday night that he planned to cast his vote as a superdelegate for Senator Barack Obama in hopes of preventing a fight at the Democratic convention.

?In recent days, there is a sense of movement and a sense of spirit,? said Mr. Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who endorsed Mrs. Clinton last fall. ?Something is happening in America, and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap.?

Mr. Lewis, who carries great influence among other members of Congress, disclosed his decision in an interview in which he said that as a superdelegate he could ?never, ever do anything to reverse the action? of the voters of his district, who overwhelmingly supported Mr. Obama.

?I?ve been very impressed with the campaign of Senator Obama,? Mr. Lewis said. ?He?s getting better and better every single day.?

His comments came as fresh signs emerged that Mrs. Clinton?s support was beginning to erode from some other African-American lawmakers who also serve as superdelegates. Representative David Scott of Georgia, who was among the first to defect, said he, too, would not go against the will of voters in his district.

The developments came on a day in which Mrs. Clinton set out anew to prove that the fight for the Democratic nomination was far from over. Campaigning in Ohio, she pursued a new strategy of biting attack lines against Mr. Obama, while adopting a newly populist tone as she courted blue-collar voters.

More...

Bill Clinton Campaign Chair Goes for Obama

By Katharine Q. Seelye
The New York Times
February 13, 2008

David Wilhelm, who was Bill Clinton?s campaign chairman in 1992, has endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president.

Mr. Wilhelm lives and works in Ohio, which will be a major battleground for the Democratic candidates come March 4.

After Mr. Wilhelm helped him win the election, Mr. Clinton made Mr. Wilhelm the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Now a venture capitalist who focuses on neglected regions of the country, Mr. Wilhelm is also a superdelegate and said he expected the Obama campaign would want him to get on the phone to lobby other superdelegates.

He said in a conference call today that Mr. Obama was more electable than Senator Hillary Clinton. Mr. Obama?s campaign is evidence of his leadership, he said, calling it ?masterful.?

?He has out-worked her, out-organized her and out-raised her,? Mr. Wilhelm said. ?I know organizational excellence when I see it, and the Obama campaign, win or lose, will serve as a model? of execution of strategy, message discipline, application of new technology and small-donor fund raising.

Delegate Update

Barack Obama - 1,096

Hillary Clinton - 977

With awed superdelegates added:

Barack Obama - 1,253

Hillary Clinton - 1,211

Delegate Update

Barack Obama - 1,059

Hillary Clinton - 956

With shocked superdelegates added:

Barack Obama - 1,215

Hillary Clinton - 1,190

Obama Hammers The Clintons in Primary Clean Sweep

February 13, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) ? Barack Obama routed Hillary Clinton in a trio of Washington DC-area nominating clashes, carving into his faltering White House rival's core power base of white, women and working class voters.

The surging Democrat coasted to crushing victories in Virginia, Maryland and the US capital on Tuesday, lifting his consecutive wins since last week's neck-and-neck Super Tuesday nationwide showdown to eight.

Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain meanwhile landed his own triple primary triumph, but a tougher-than-expected showing from rival Mike Huckabee in Virginia reflected his struggle to close the deal with conservatives.

Another grim night for Clinton left her further behind Obama in the crucial count of convention delegates, and desperate for victories in Texas and Ohio on March 4, the next big night of nominating clashes, to keep her hopes alive.

Senator Obama, 46, celebrated in midwestern Wisconsin, where he hopes to drive another dagger into Senator Clinton's bid to be the first woman president on February 19.

"We won the state of Maryland. We won the Commonwealth of Virginia. And though we won in Washington, DC, this movement won't stop until there's change in Washington, DC," he said.

Obama barely referred to Clinton, instead turning his fire on McCain, in a preview of a potential November general election matchup.

"John McCain is an American hero. We honor his service to our nation," said the Illinois senator who has rocketed to the forefront of US politics in just four years, on a quest to be America's first black president.

"His priorities don't address the real problems of the American people, because they are bound to the failed policies of the past."

As Clinton's team suffered another night of losses, her deputy campaign manager Mike Henry reportedly resigned, two days after the former first lady decided to replace her campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle.

But a defiant Clinton showed no sign of giving up the fight.

"We're going to sweep across Texas in the next three weeks, bringing our message about what we need in America, the kind of president that will be required on Day One to be commander in chief, to turn the economy around," she said after flying west even before Washington area voting had closed.

"I'm tested. I'm ready. Let's make it happen!" she told a rowdy rally in El Paso in a veiled reference to Obama's perceived inexperience.

McCain, 71, also seemed to preview a contest with Obama, striking the charismatic Democrat's signature theme of "hope."

"Hope, my friends, is a powerful thing. I can attest to that better than many, for I have seen men's hopes tested in hard and cruel ways that few will ever experience," said the former Vietnam war prisoner.

"I do not seek the presidency on the presumption that I am blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save my country in its hour of need.

"I seek the presidency with the humility of a man who cannot forget that my country saved me."

With most of the vote counted, Obama led Clinton 64 percent to 35 percent in Virginia, 75 percent to 24 percent in Washington, and 60 percent to 37 percent in Maryland.

In a rolling count of nominating delegates by RealClearPolitics.com, Obama led with 1,259 to 1,210. A total of 2,025 delegates is needed for the nomination.

McCain led Republicans with 797 delegates to Huckabee's 240. Republicans need 1191 for the nomination.

Exit polling showed Obama making inroads into Clinton's support base, in a trend that if reflected nationwide, could spell disaster for her.

In Maryland, Obama won among men and among voters of every age group and income level, expanding his political base and auguring well for key states to come.

Exit polls in Virginia showed Obama triumphing in the former first lady's normal bastion of women 58 percent to 42 percent, and splitting another of her key power bases, white voters.

He won 90 percent of black voters and extended his hold on younger voters, many of whom are being turned on to politics for the first time by his soaring rhetoric and message of hope.

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It's a doggie jihad. Bastards.

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Huey P. Silvestris?

Michelle Obama on Larry King Tonight

Exclusive with Michelle Obama - wife of presidential candidate Barack Obama. Monday, February 11, 9:00PM ET.

Delegate Update

Barack Obama - 986

Hillary Clinton - 924

With browbeaten Super Delegates added:

Hillary Clinton - 1,148

Barack Obama - 1,121

Update

With 87% reporting:

Obama: 59%
Clinton: 41%

A thorough trouncing.

Obama Wins in Maine

With 70 percent counted, he had 57 percent to Clinton's 42 percent

The Associated Press
Feb. 10, 2008

AUGUSTA, Maine - Barack Obama defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic Party's Maine caucuses on Sunday, grabbing a majority of delegates as the state's Democrats overlooked the snowy weather and turned out in heavy numbers for municipal gatherings.

With 70 percent of the participating precincts reporting, Obama had 57 percent of the vote, while Clinton had 42 percent.

Democrats in 420 Maine towns and cities decided how the state?s 24 delegates would be allotted at the party?s national presidential convention in August. Despite the weather, turnout was ?incredible,? party executive director Arden Manning said.

The voting came a day after Obama and Clinton made personal appeals here, and after Obama picked up wins in Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington.

Organizers had expected heavy participation at the caucuses, but up to 8 inches of snow and Arctic cold were expected when many of the gatherings were scheduled. Even so, Democrats started Sunday with more than 4,000 absentee ballots in hand.

Manning said the weather wouldn?t hurt turnout. In Bangor, the caucus started late because so many people showed up that they were lined up outside the door, he said.

Lines three blocks long

In Portland, waterlogged Democrats carrying ?Obama? and ?Hillary? signs waited to get into the citywide caucus at Portland High School in separate lines that snaked nearly three city blocks in opposite directions.

Colin Johnson, an Obama supporter, said the Illinois senator is not a typical politician. ?I?m convinced he?s a once-in-a-generation leader,? he said.

?He?s young and energetic and Washington and the White House could benefit from some fresh air,? said Joe Lewis, another Obama supporter.

Though Maine?s delegate count is small, Clinton and Obama, along with surrogates, came to the state Saturday as their campaigns drew tighter after Super Tuesday.

Thousands of people packed the Bangor Auditorium to hear Obama on Saturday and hundreds more who weren?t allowed inside greeted him as he arrived.

The high level of excitement across the state contrasted with earlier expectations that the post-Super Tuesday timing of the caucuses would dampen voter interest.

? 2008 The Associated Press

Delegate Count

Barack Obama - 908

Hillary Clinton - 877

With old school Super Delegates added:

Hillary Clinton - 1,100

Barack Obama - 1,039

Delegate Update

Barack Obama - 635

Hillary Clinton - 630

With archaic Super Delegates added:

Hillary Clinton - 823

Barack Obama - 741

[quote] I've already noticed the smugness amongst my peers who believe that they are so "progressive", so "above the rest of the country" by voting for a black man. But in a sense I feel that it's somewhat racists. I would have no problem voting for a black president, or hell, a female, black president. But I wouldn't go around patting myself on the back about it. It shouldn't be an issue Now, I don't think Obama is a bad guy, but like a great man once said, men should be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the contents of their character."[quote] Yes, we should never bring up race. Never ever ever. (Especially white liberal males with guilt complexes.) I have no doubt that Brian_em, Erinmaiden and Batman were enraged when Bush and friends accused John McCain's wife of giving birth to a black child during the 2000 primaries. I'm absolutely certain they were out of their minds with anger when this 2006 commercial at the end of the Tennessee Senate race played on white fears of Harold Ford cavorting with white women: Friends, when I want consistency I always go to the Republicans. No mindless talking points from them.

Here's the delegate count now that Tuesday's results are in:

Clinton - 625

Obama - 624

(Now that's close.)

With evil Super Delegates added:

Clinton - 818

Obama - 730

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Son of a bitch! That would have been awesome.

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And you've lived in a cave until recently? I mean really, man.

The problem is the press and electronic media are vapid and jaded. They're the ones who gleefully play the *gotcha* politics. They're the ones who love the attack ads. Substance means very little to them. This is the main reason politicians never give a strait answer. They know that one wrong word and it's all over.