For those unwilling to go to his website and read his proposals for each issue, I came across something Obama posted on two different blogs back on September 30th, 2005. (You can check for yourself at http://obama.senate.gov/blog/ or on the Daily Kos website at http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/30/102745/165.)
In any case, in an article entitled "Tone, Truth, and the Democratic Party," he wrote: "I thought this might be a good opportunity to offer some thoughts about not only judicial confirmations but how to bring about meaningful change in this country."
He goes on to include the following:
"...We won't be able to transform the country with such a polarized electorate. Because the truth of the matter is this: Most of the issues this country faces are hard. They require tough choices, and they require sacrifice. The Bush Administration and the Republican Congress may have made the problems worse, but they won't go away after President Bush is gone. Unless we are open to new ideas, and not just new packaging, we won't change enough hearts and minds to initiate a serious energy or fiscal policy that calls for serious sacrifice. We won't have the popular support to craft a foreign policy that meets the challenges of globalization or terrorism while avoiding isolationism and protecting civil liberties. We certainly won't have a mandate to overhaul a health care policy that overcomes all the entrenched interests that are the legacy of a jerry-rigged health care system. And we won't have the broad political support, or the effective strategies, required to lift large numbers of our fellow citizens out of numbing poverty.
The bottom line is that our job is harder than the conservatives' job. After all, it's easy to articulate a belligerent foreign policy based solely on unilateral military action, a policy that sounds tough and acts dumb; it's harder to craft a foreign policy that's tough and smart. It's easy to dismantle government safety nets; it's harder to transform those safety nets so that they work for people and can be paid for. It's easy to embrace a theological absolutism; it's harder to find the right balance between the legitimate role of faith in our lives and the demands of our civic religion. But that's our job. And I firmly believe that whenever we exaggerate or demonize, or oversimplify or overstate our case, we lose. Whenever we dumb down the political debate, we lose. A polarized electorate that is turned off of politics, and easily dismisses both parties because of the nasty, dishonest tone of the debate, works perfectly well for those who seek to chip away at the very idea of government because, in the end, a cynical electorate is a selfish electorate.
Let me be clear: I am not arguing that the Democrats should trim their sails and be more "centrist." In fact, I think the whole "centrist" versus "liberal" labels that continue to characterize the debate within the Democratic Party misses the mark. Too often, the "centrist" label seems to mean compromise for compromise sake, whereas on issues like health care, energy, education and tackling poverty, I don't think Democrats have been bold enough. But I do think that being bold involves more than just putting more money into existing programs and will instead require us to admit that some existing programs and policies don't work very well. And further, it will require us to innovate and experiment with whatever ideas hold promise (including market- or faith-based ideas that originate from Republicans).
Our goal should be to stick to our guns on those core values that make this country great, show a spirit of flexibility and sustained attention that can achieve those goals, and try to create the sort of serious, adult, consensus around our problems that can admit Democrats, Republicans and Independents of good will. This is more than just a matter of "framing," although clarity of language, thought, and heart are required. It's a matter of actually having faith in the American people's ability to hear a real and authentic debate about the issues that matter.
Finally, I am not arguing that we "unilaterally disarm" in the face of Republican attacks, or bite our tongue when this Administration screws up. Whenever they are wrong, inept, or dishonest, we should say so clearly and repeatedly; and whenever they gear up their attack machine, we should respond quickly and forcefully. I am suggesting that the tone we take matters, and that truth, as best we know it, be the hallmark of our response.
My dear friend Paul Simon used to consistently win the votes of much more conservative voters in Southern Illinois because he had mastered the art of "disagreeing without being disagreeable," and they trusted him to tell the truth. Similarly, one of Paul Wellstone's greatest strengths was his ability to deliver a scathing rebuke of the Republicans without ever losing his sense of humor and affability. In fact, I would argue that the most powerful voices of change in the country, from Lincoln to King, have been those who can speak with the utmost conviction about the great issues of the day without ever belittling those who opposed them, and without denying the limits of their own perspectives.
In that spirit, let me end by saying I don't pretend to have all the answers to the challenges we face, and I look forward to periodic conversations with all of you in the months and years to come. I trust that you will continue to let me and other Democrats know when you believe we are screwing up. And I, in turn, will always try and show you the respect and candor one owes his friends and allies."
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
I'll Take Obama's Experience Over Clinton's Any Day
He's still riding the wave and it doesn't look like it's cresting yet to me. After slam dunks in the past 8 states, look for Hawaii and Wisconsin to become numbers 9 and 10 in his column...and then come the big enchiladas: Texas and Ohio. While she enjoys a lead in the polls there now, look for that to change. This is not your typical wave, but a Tsunami! And I predict Pennsylvania will follow, as well, in April.
As for those of you who still think Clinton has the necessary experience and his talk is all empty rhetoric, consider the following argument outlined by a reader in the Comments section of today's New Republic:
Hillary Clinton has been telling America that she is the most qualified candidate for president based on her 'record,' which she says includes her eight years in the White House as First Lady - or 'co-president' - and her seven years in the Senate. Here is a reminder of what that record includes:
As First Lady,
1)Hillary assumed authority over Health Care Reform, a process that cost the taxpayers over $13 million. She told both Bill Bradley and Patrick Moynihan, key votes needed to pass her legislation, that she would 'demonize' anyone who opposed it. But it was opposed; she couldn't even get it to a vote in a Congress controlled by her own party. (And in the next election, her party lost control of both the House and Senate.)
2)Hillary assumed authority over selecting a female Attorney General. Her first two recommendations, Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood, were forced to withdraw their names from consideration. She then chose Janet Reno. Janet Reno has since been described by Bill himself as 'my worst mistake.'
3)Hillary recommended Lani Guanier for head of the Civil Rights Commission. When Guanier's radical views became known, her name had to be withdrawn.
4)Hillary recommended her former law partners, Web Hubbell, Vince Foster, and William Kennedy for positions in the Justice Department, White House staff, and the Treasury, respectively. Hubbell was later imprisoned, Foster committed suicide, and Kennedy was forced to resign.
5)Hillary also recommended a close friend of the Clintons, Craig Livingstone, for the position of director of White House security. When Livingstone was investigated for the improper access of up to 900 FBI files of Clinton enemies (?Filegate?) and the widespread use of drugs by White House staff, both Hillary and her husband denied knowing him. FBI agent Dennis Sculimbrene confirmed in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 1996, both the drug use and Hillary's involvement in hiring Livingstone. After that, the FBI closed its White House Liaison Office, after serving seven presidents for over thirty years.
6)In order to open slots in the White House for her friends the Thomasons (to whom millions of dollars in travel contracts could be awarded), Hillary had the entire staff of the White House Travel Office fired; they were reported to the FBI for 'gross mismanagement' and their reputations ruined. After a thirty-month investigation, only one, Billy Dale, was charged with a crime - mixing personal money with White House funds when he cashed checks. The jury acquitted him in less than two hours.
7)Another of Hillary's assumed duties was directing the 'bimbo eruption squad' and scandal defense: She urged her husband not to settle the Paula Jones lawsuit. She refused to release the Whitewater documents, which led to the appointment of Ken Starr as Special Prosecutor. After $80 million dollars of taxpayer money was spent, Starr's investigation led to Monica Lewinsky, which led to Bill lying about and later admitting his affairs. Then they had to settle with Paula Jones after all. And Bill lost his law license for lying to the grand jury. And Bill was impeached by the House. And Hillary almost got herself indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice (she avoided it mostly because she repeated, 'I do not recall,' 'I have no recollection,' and 'I don't know' 56 times under oath).
8)Hillary decided to seek election to the Senate in a state she had never lived in. Her husband pardoned FALN terrorists in order to get Latino support and the New Square Hassidim to get Jewish support. Hillary also had Bill pardon her brother's clients, for a small fee, to get financial support. Then Hillary left the White House, but later had to return $200,000 in White House furniture, china, and artwork she had stolen.
In the campaign for the Senate, Hillary played the 'woman card' by portraying her opponent (Lazio) as a bully picking on her. Hillary's husband further protected her by asking the National Archives to withhold from the public until 2012 many records of their time in the White House, including much of Hillary's correspondence and her calendars. (There are ongoing lawsuits to force the release of those records.)
As the junior Senator from New York:
1)Hillary has passed no major legislation. She has deferred to the senior Senator (Schumer) to tend to the needs of New Yorkers, even on the hot issue of medical problems of workers involved in the cleanup of Ground Zero after 9/11.
2)Hillary's one notable vote...supporting the plan to invade Iraq...she has since disavowed.
Quite a resume? Sounds more like an organized crime family's rap sheet.
Please read the following information gathered from the Library of Congress. Feel free to check these records for yourself.
Clinton v. Obama on Legislative Experience:
Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term (6yrs.), and another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law (20) twenty pieces of legislation in her first six years. These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress (www.thomas.loc.gov), but to save you trouble, I'll post them here for you:
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death. 10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty.
Only five of Clinton's bills are, more substantive:
16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.
There you have it, the facts straight from the Senate Record.
Now, I would post those of Obama, but the list is too substantive, so I'll mainly categorize.
During the first (8) eight months of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. 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.
His 1st year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These included:
1)"The Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006" (became law)
2)"The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act" (became law)
3)"The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act" (passed the Senate)
4)"The 2007 Government Ethics Bill" (became law)
5)"The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill" (In committee) and many more.
In all, since he entered elected life, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096. An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no legislative record.
As for those of you who still think Clinton has the necessary experience and his talk is all empty rhetoric, consider the following argument outlined by a reader in the Comments section of today's New Republic:
Hillary Clinton has been telling America that she is the most qualified candidate for president based on her 'record,' which she says includes her eight years in the White House as First Lady - or 'co-president' - and her seven years in the Senate. Here is a reminder of what that record includes:
As First Lady,
1)Hillary assumed authority over Health Care Reform, a process that cost the taxpayers over $13 million. She told both Bill Bradley and Patrick Moynihan, key votes needed to pass her legislation, that she would 'demonize' anyone who opposed it. But it was opposed; she couldn't even get it to a vote in a Congress controlled by her own party. (And in the next election, her party lost control of both the House and Senate.)
2)Hillary assumed authority over selecting a female Attorney General. Her first two recommendations, Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood, were forced to withdraw their names from consideration. She then chose Janet Reno. Janet Reno has since been described by Bill himself as 'my worst mistake.'
3)Hillary recommended Lani Guanier for head of the Civil Rights Commission. When Guanier's radical views became known, her name had to be withdrawn.
4)Hillary recommended her former law partners, Web Hubbell, Vince Foster, and William Kennedy for positions in the Justice Department, White House staff, and the Treasury, respectively. Hubbell was later imprisoned, Foster committed suicide, and Kennedy was forced to resign.
5)Hillary also recommended a close friend of the Clintons, Craig Livingstone, for the position of director of White House security. When Livingstone was investigated for the improper access of up to 900 FBI files of Clinton enemies (?Filegate?) and the widespread use of drugs by White House staff, both Hillary and her husband denied knowing him. FBI agent Dennis Sculimbrene confirmed in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 1996, both the drug use and Hillary's involvement in hiring Livingstone. After that, the FBI closed its White House Liaison Office, after serving seven presidents for over thirty years.
6)In order to open slots in the White House for her friends the Thomasons (to whom millions of dollars in travel contracts could be awarded), Hillary had the entire staff of the White House Travel Office fired; they were reported to the FBI for 'gross mismanagement' and their reputations ruined. After a thirty-month investigation, only one, Billy Dale, was charged with a crime - mixing personal money with White House funds when he cashed checks. The jury acquitted him in less than two hours.
7)Another of Hillary's assumed duties was directing the 'bimbo eruption squad' and scandal defense: She urged her husband not to settle the Paula Jones lawsuit. She refused to release the Whitewater documents, which led to the appointment of Ken Starr as Special Prosecutor. After $80 million dollars of taxpayer money was spent, Starr's investigation led to Monica Lewinsky, which led to Bill lying about and later admitting his affairs. Then they had to settle with Paula Jones after all. And Bill lost his law license for lying to the grand jury. And Bill was impeached by the House. And Hillary almost got herself indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice (she avoided it mostly because she repeated, 'I do not recall,' 'I have no recollection,' and 'I don't know' 56 times under oath).
8)Hillary decided to seek election to the Senate in a state she had never lived in. Her husband pardoned FALN terrorists in order to get Latino support and the New Square Hassidim to get Jewish support. Hillary also had Bill pardon her brother's clients, for a small fee, to get financial support. Then Hillary left the White House, but later had to return $200,000 in White House furniture, china, and artwork she had stolen.
In the campaign for the Senate, Hillary played the 'woman card' by portraying her opponent (Lazio) as a bully picking on her. Hillary's husband further protected her by asking the National Archives to withhold from the public until 2012 many records of their time in the White House, including much of Hillary's correspondence and her calendars. (There are ongoing lawsuits to force the release of those records.)
As the junior Senator from New York:
1)Hillary has passed no major legislation. She has deferred to the senior Senator (Schumer) to tend to the needs of New Yorkers, even on the hot issue of medical problems of workers involved in the cleanup of Ground Zero after 9/11.
2)Hillary's one notable vote...supporting the plan to invade Iraq...she has since disavowed.
Quite a resume? Sounds more like an organized crime family's rap sheet.
Please read the following information gathered from the Library of Congress. Feel free to check these records for yourself.
Clinton v. Obama on Legislative Experience:
Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term (6yrs.), and another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law (20) twenty pieces of legislation in her first six years. These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress (www.thomas.loc.gov), but to save you trouble, I'll post them here for you:
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death. 10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty.
Only five of Clinton's bills are, more substantive:
16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.
There you have it, the facts straight from the Senate Record.
Now, I would post those of Obama, but the list is too substantive, so I'll mainly categorize.
During the first (8) eight months of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. 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.
His 1st year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These included:
1)"The Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006" (became law)
2)"The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act" (became law)
3)"The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act" (passed the Senate)
4)"The 2007 Government Ethics Bill" (became law)
5)"The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill" (In committee) and many more.
In all, since he entered elected life, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096. An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no legislative record.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
My Precinct Voted Unanimously for Obama
I'm still excited and our caucus here in Washington ended almost an hour and a half ago. Turnout at our caucus location (with some 20+ precincts gathering) was about 3 times what they expected, and we had 16 voters show up for my precinct (I think 4 years ago there were 3-4).
In a way, I hope the Democratic Party here in Washington chooses to retain the caucus form of voting because it makes you feel like you really have a say. Not only do you vote, but you get to explain why you're voting the way you are and a real dialogue develops with your neighbors who are participating.
On our first vote, there were 13 votes for Obama, 2 for Clinton, and 1 Uncommitted. Then someone spoke up for Clinton and I spoke up for Obama. But our precinct was small enough that we then had time for almost everyone to explain their preference. There were some really good points brought up all around.
In essence, this is what I said:
Clinton and Obama aren't very far apart on the issues, although Obama matches up better head to head with McCain (48 to 41 in a recent Time poll) than does Clinton (46 to 46). So I decided to look at the qualities in terms of leadership that they would bring to the Presidency and make my decision that way. I have chosen Obama based on 5 characteristics:
Good Judgement --he was against the war in Iraq from the beginning and even foresaw many of the terrible developments that have since transpired.
The right kind of Experience --even though his resume seems thinner than Hillary's, he has had experience in Community Organizing, as evidenced by the tremendous grass roots movement he has started...the election turnouts are really a testament, in part, to his organizing ability; he also has served in both state and federal legislatures and knows how to work across the aisle, bringing people together; and he has taught Constitutional Law and I, for one, will be glad to have a President who knows the Constitution and respects the limits of his powers.
Vision--rather than just reacting to problems, I believe he will begin to transform our government and take us to new heights as an involved citizenry.
Values--transparency rather than secrecy, us rather than him, honesty rather than expediency, diplomacy rather than U.S. imperialism, and a willingness to listen to contrary views as well as supportive ones in coming to his decisions.
Temperament--unlike McCain and Hillary, he doesn't easily lose his temper, but remains calm, cool, and collected...something very important in these hair trigger times.
Well, after all opinions were aired, we took a second vote and this time all 16 voted for Obama. Then we considered who would be our Delegate and Alternate Delegate at the next level...the Legislative District Caucus on April 5th. The only two running were myself and our Precinct Chair. Votes were cast and it was a tie, so we determined which would be the voting Delegate by the toss of a coin. He won, so I'm the Alternate. That means I can go, but won't be voting unless, for some reason, he can't attend. That's okay. It gives me a chance to observe, meet people, and learn more about this whole caucus process.
Also, we had the opportunity to submit resolutions to be considered by the state Democratic Party. At the request of one of the participants, I wrote one up concerning our desire that the Party do away with this whole system of Superdelegates (since it gives undue power to a party official or legislator) and most of us signed it.
All in all, it was an invigorating process. The best part? Michael and Allison took part (while Jason sat off to the side)...so it felt like a family affair.
In a way, I hope the Democratic Party here in Washington chooses to retain the caucus form of voting because it makes you feel like you really have a say. Not only do you vote, but you get to explain why you're voting the way you are and a real dialogue develops with your neighbors who are participating.
On our first vote, there were 13 votes for Obama, 2 for Clinton, and 1 Uncommitted. Then someone spoke up for Clinton and I spoke up for Obama. But our precinct was small enough that we then had time for almost everyone to explain their preference. There were some really good points brought up all around.
In essence, this is what I said:
Clinton and Obama aren't very far apart on the issues, although Obama matches up better head to head with McCain (48 to 41 in a recent Time poll) than does Clinton (46 to 46). So I decided to look at the qualities in terms of leadership that they would bring to the Presidency and make my decision that way. I have chosen Obama based on 5 characteristics:
Good Judgement --he was against the war in Iraq from the beginning and even foresaw many of the terrible developments that have since transpired.
The right kind of Experience --even though his resume seems thinner than Hillary's, he has had experience in Community Organizing, as evidenced by the tremendous grass roots movement he has started...the election turnouts are really a testament, in part, to his organizing ability; he also has served in both state and federal legislatures and knows how to work across the aisle, bringing people together; and he has taught Constitutional Law and I, for one, will be glad to have a President who knows the Constitution and respects the limits of his powers.
Vision--rather than just reacting to problems, I believe he will begin to transform our government and take us to new heights as an involved citizenry.
Values--transparency rather than secrecy, us rather than him, honesty rather than expediency, diplomacy rather than U.S. imperialism, and a willingness to listen to contrary views as well as supportive ones in coming to his decisions.
Temperament--unlike McCain and Hillary, he doesn't easily lose his temper, but remains calm, cool, and collected...something very important in these hair trigger times.
Well, after all opinions were aired, we took a second vote and this time all 16 voted for Obama. Then we considered who would be our Delegate and Alternate Delegate at the next level...the Legislative District Caucus on April 5th. The only two running were myself and our Precinct Chair. Votes were cast and it was a tie, so we determined which would be the voting Delegate by the toss of a coin. He won, so I'm the Alternate. That means I can go, but won't be voting unless, for some reason, he can't attend. That's okay. It gives me a chance to observe, meet people, and learn more about this whole caucus process.
Also, we had the opportunity to submit resolutions to be considered by the state Democratic Party. At the request of one of the participants, I wrote one up concerning our desire that the Party do away with this whole system of Superdelegates (since it gives undue power to a party official or legislator) and most of us signed it.
All in all, it was an invigorating process. The best part? Michael and Allison took part (while Jason sat off to the side)...so it felt like a family affair.
Monday, February 4, 2008
I'm a Precinct Captain for Obama
I've been mulling over my choices ever since Edwards dropped out of the race and tonight I finally decided. I had gone to a Benton County Democrats Caucus Training session (in preparation for this Saturday's Caucus in Washington) this past Saturday and heard there of an informational meeting being held tonight in Richland featuring someone from Obama's national headquarters. So I went and joined with about 70+ other citizens in the Tri-Cities to hear his presentation.
I was impressed. First, I was impressed that so many showed up (including two people I knew...one of Allison's friends from another high school and Jason's 7th Grade Science teacher). Then I was impressed that he took the time to have each and every one of us introduce ourselves and tell briefly why we were there. Obama's campaign is every bit as inclusive as they say. I was impressed at their organization and the simplicity of it. And, because I had put so much into Edwards' campaign with nothing to show for it now, I found it easy at the end of the meeting to commit to the candidate who comes closest to Edwards. I volunteered to be a Precinct Captain so that, once Super Tuesday is over and things are all tied up between Hillary and Barack, we can help start the wave of inevitability again for Obama by helping him with a decisive win in Washington on the 9th.
It's too late to go into all my reasons for supporting Obama now (Michael's trying to sleep and I need to sign off), but I promise a lengthier explanation tomorrow.
Maybe I'll end up as a delegate to the National Convention after all. We'll see.
I was impressed. First, I was impressed that so many showed up (including two people I knew...one of Allison's friends from another high school and Jason's 7th Grade Science teacher). Then I was impressed that he took the time to have each and every one of us introduce ourselves and tell briefly why we were there. Obama's campaign is every bit as inclusive as they say. I was impressed at their organization and the simplicity of it. And, because I had put so much into Edwards' campaign with nothing to show for it now, I found it easy at the end of the meeting to commit to the candidate who comes closest to Edwards. I volunteered to be a Precinct Captain so that, once Super Tuesday is over and things are all tied up between Hillary and Barack, we can help start the wave of inevitability again for Obama by helping him with a decisive win in Washington on the 9th.
It's too late to go into all my reasons for supporting Obama now (Michael's trying to sleep and I need to sign off), but I promise a lengthier explanation tomorrow.
Maybe I'll end up as a delegate to the National Convention after all. We'll see.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Awaiting Tidal Tuesday
It's been downhill for me since South Carolina. After a terrific showing in the Democratic debate before the SC Primary, Edwards looked to be on a roll, even snagging an appearance on Letterman. But then the returns came in and the writing was finally on the wall.
He didn't even need to see the Florida returns to make his decision. I was privy to a conference call with him and his wife a few hours after he announced his withdrawal from the presidential race (I'm sure he held it with steering committees in all the different states yet to vote) and I'm certain of one thing: Had he not felt the urgent need for the Democratic ticket to take shape more quickly, given McCain's apparent rise on the other side, he would have remained in the race through to the convention. For the sake of Democratic unity, he got out...so that voters would have a clearer choice. The pundits are now waiting to see whom he will endorse, but I'm not sure he will. And if he doesn't endorse Obama or Clinton before Super Tuesday, then the odds are pretty good he won't at all (after all, it wouldn't be fair to all his supporters who will have already voted on Feb. 5th). He provided some counsel to us as far as our votes go, but that shall remain between us and him.
In any case, I've been in a growing funk now for a week and Super Tuesday doesn't seem so super any more. I'm fortunate in that I don't have to vote until Feb. 9th but, even so, it will be hard to choose between a candidate who seems to inspire such promise that he can raise $32 million in a month (highly suspicious in my mind) or voting "Uncommitted" which seems like no vote at all. One thing is certain: I REFUSE to vote for Hillary, at least in the Primary. Now the General Election may be a different matter. Even the detestable Ann Coulter has gone on record saying she'd vote for Hillary over John McCain.
If you want to understand my support for John Edwards, then watch this "60 Minutes" segment about the ridiculous power of lobbyists in Washington at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3108688n
Hillary Clinton is not going to take care of this problem and, judging by the amount of money behind Obama, neither will he. My only hope now is that the eventual nominee will appoint Edwards to a cabinet position where he can begin to address the mess (perhaps as Attorney General).
He didn't even need to see the Florida returns to make his decision. I was privy to a conference call with him and his wife a few hours after he announced his withdrawal from the presidential race (I'm sure he held it with steering committees in all the different states yet to vote) and I'm certain of one thing: Had he not felt the urgent need for the Democratic ticket to take shape more quickly, given McCain's apparent rise on the other side, he would have remained in the race through to the convention. For the sake of Democratic unity, he got out...so that voters would have a clearer choice. The pundits are now waiting to see whom he will endorse, but I'm not sure he will. And if he doesn't endorse Obama or Clinton before Super Tuesday, then the odds are pretty good he won't at all (after all, it wouldn't be fair to all his supporters who will have already voted on Feb. 5th). He provided some counsel to us as far as our votes go, but that shall remain between us and him.
In any case, I've been in a growing funk now for a week and Super Tuesday doesn't seem so super any more. I'm fortunate in that I don't have to vote until Feb. 9th but, even so, it will be hard to choose between a candidate who seems to inspire such promise that he can raise $32 million in a month (highly suspicious in my mind) or voting "Uncommitted" which seems like no vote at all. One thing is certain: I REFUSE to vote for Hillary, at least in the Primary. Now the General Election may be a different matter. Even the detestable Ann Coulter has gone on record saying she'd vote for Hillary over John McCain.
If you want to understand my support for John Edwards, then watch this "60 Minutes" segment about the ridiculous power of lobbyists in Washington at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3108688n
Hillary Clinton is not going to take care of this problem and, judging by the amount of money behind Obama, neither will he. My only hope now is that the eventual nominee will appoint Edwards to a cabinet position where he can begin to address the mess (perhaps as Attorney General).
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