Barack Obama Gets the Nomination

Barack Obama Gets the Nomination

This means Hillary Clinton does not. The numbers do not matter.

John McCain vs Barack Obama.

Let the fight, and mudslinging, begin.

Two Blogs for Obama and McCain's Veeps

Two new blogs to stir up conversation.

Pick Obama's VP
Who should be Barack Obama's Vice President Running Mate?

Pick McCain's VP
Who should be John McCain's Vice President Running Mate?

Plus the often updated and objective Media Analysis of the Hillary campaign.

Lemmings in an Era of Individuality: Limbaugh, Coulter, Colbert, Colmes, Stewart

Is there a Limbaugh factor? I could not say. I avoid all talk radio. The liberals and conservatives alike are filled with gassy self-righteousness. Some try to be funny, others are so serious that only bran cereal will fix their problem.

Rush Limbaugh, maybe the best known of all political radio hosts, is smart, but his agenda is not about focused, objective analysis. He is all about being against whatever the Democrats are scooping. One recent campaign was to cause chaos in the Dems primaries, to skew the numbers by convincing Republicans to vote Dem, then switch back. This isn't playing fair, but it is legal.

Easy toss out arguments against Limbaugh influence, "He's been busted for drugs," "He's arrogant," "He's conservative and stupid." Sorry, that just means you dislike him. Just like when Bill Clinton was playing with Monica Lewinsky's cigar, people ignore personal lifestyle choices.

A few days ago, I asked about which celebrity bamboozled you into voting for their guy. The most notable celebs to announce were not Republicans, but two very wealthy Hollywood Democrats.

Say what you will about extremist right-winger Limbaugh using his celebrity voice to influence to impact an election. Look at the highly publicized Jack Nicholson and Tom Hanks endorsements.

We are lemmings.

The Limbaugh Factor (story paste from the Washington Post). Interesting thoughts.

Our Readers Who Comment have also expressed special interest (or disgust) with a story that asked if conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos" -- in which he urged Republicans to vote for Clinton in the Democratic primary -- actually held down Obama's totals. Limbaugh called off the operation yesterday, Alec MacGillis and Peter Slevin report, saying he wants Obama to be the party's pick, because "I now believe he would be the weakest of the Democrat nominees."

Limbaugh is a polarizing figure and has supporters in the comment string today, but most of those who bothered to write are not fans; many remind us that Limbaugh has had drug abuse problems, and several wonder if my colleagues at WaPo have lost their way in even bothering with the story, which I really liked.

Barack Obama Must Have Two Brains (or three?)

With Barack Obama having both found love among the media and the people of North Carolina (not so much love in Midwest Indiana), he's moving on to be the Democratic candidate for presidency.

For Hillary to win, she must have supporters come out of the woodwork, and vote Chicago-style. She cannot spare a remaining state. She has not lost, but she is not winning.

Can she do it? Yes. Will she? No. Her voters are just voters, no more committed to her than an average voter would be.

John McCain naturally prefers Hillary to win, believing fully that he can beat her more easily.

As long as she runs, Obama must continue to fight her. He'll start running again McCain this week, but his attention is divided. He needs two brains, two tongues: ones says to Democrats, "I'm liberal," the other says to Republicans, "But not that liberal," with a third one to independents, "I'm more independent than John McCain." He'll need to be more Bill Clinton than Bill Clinton, but look like Ron Reagan while he does it. He needs all of his charm, but needs now to look sagely, and reduce the criticism that he has not spoke about hard issues with depth.

Appearance is everything.

BBC News
Obama takes big step ahead in Democratic race
Washington Post
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Barack Obama took a big step toward the Democratic presidential nomination with an easy victory in North Carolina on Tuesday, and Hillary Clinton vowed to keep her struggling campaign ...

Beginning of the End

• 492 delegates remain.
• 218 are decided today via Indiana, North Carolina
• West Virginia, Kentucky, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Montana, South Dakota all have their primaries in upcoming weeks, finishing June 3.
• 274 votes from these remaining states after today.

When will it be decided, really? There's the whole super delegate thing later.

When Tom Hanks delivered his announcement, he knows it will impact voters. Some voters are dumb enough to say, "I like him, so I will vote for hi guy." He spent the money to announce because he knows in some of these states, Hillary Clinton has a chance to win. He's afraid her voters will show up at the polls, and that too many Obama voters will play hooky. Tom looked at his money and decided it was not as well spent giving to a homeless shelter.
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John McCain is quietly building an infrastructure in the meanwhile

see http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/primaries/democraticprimaries/index.html

Which Candidate Does Your Media Hero Support?

Tom Hanks made his call for Barack Obama. Who supports McCain? Hillary?

Support Obama if you like, but remember that if you choose a candidate based on celebrities decisions, you qualify as an idiot. Choose a candidate because what they stand for, you stand for.

Now before I get mail telling me about which candidate I support, know that I am undecided.

Tom Hanks uses MySpace page to announce support for Obama
NEW YORK - Tom Hanks is supporting presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

Hanks has taken to his MySpace page to pledge his support for Obama, who is competing to be the first black president. Obama, who faces rival Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination, has also been endorsed by Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen and Scarlett Johansson.

also see: A Joker Stumps for Hillary Clinton (and Batman is Ticked Off): Jack Nicholson On Hillary

Two Will Lose: Inevitability in the 2008 Presidential Race

A friend described to me what he is thankful for, and, what many American voters are struggling with -- there is one certainty in this election: When the election in November is over, when the 2008 Presidential Race has finished, two candidates will have lost.

While many Barack Obama supporters are calling the Hillary Clinton campaign racist, and while many Hillary Clinton supporters are calling the Barack Obama campaign sexist, we see that neither camp respects the other. This means that when they join forces, after the Democrat super delegates are done being kissed on like some New York whore, lies begin.

Which lies? The ones which begin, "Wow, what a tough campaign (fill in name of winner). I (the name of the loser) respect you, trust you, and fully support you." They, then, will bear the other's love child.

Meanwhile, conservatives will be forced to vote for John McCain. They do not want to, but given their choice, whether Hillary or Barack, they are stuck.

Many Christians have found themselves stuck compromising one way or another. Many are choosing Obama if for no other reason his strong leadership reminds them of George Bush, despite his pro-abortion and pro-gay perspectives (Obama promises to dedicate presidency to homosexual activism, the Catholic News Agency quotes Obama, ""As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws," Obama said.")

Yet, likewise, wanting to remain prolife, who do they vote for? John McCain, a man whose campaign was quoted by the Huffington Post, "In a response to a question about the religious right, an important component of the Republican coalition, he said that it was, indeed "a serious problem...""

So then there is Hillary Clinton, who all but makes love to organizations like Planned Parenthood, who, along with Sen. Barack Obama and Elizabeth Edwards, chased pro-abortion voters.

At least two of the remaining candidates will lose. Well, yes, there's that. So will America. Damned if they vote for (X), and damned if they don't? That depends on what 'damned' means, which no doubt, each candidate would accuse the other of doing.

If USA Is Attacked, John McCain Wins

Would an attack relatively close to the US Presidential Election in November ensure John McCain is elected?

Do Americans really have the confidence that either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama are well-equipped with both conviction and skill-set to extract us from Iraq, and protect us here stateside? Both Clinton and Obama miss the professionalism mixed with experience and diplomacy McCain, and Ron Paul share.

While it appears we Americans are disinclined toward being in Iraq, we felt as we felt before 2004 as well, and yet elected George W Bush for a second term with record popular votes.

This is not 2004, and wannabe John Kerry cannot be compared to today's Democratic candidates. He misses the charm of Obama and the experience of Clinton.

And, also important, McCain is not as hated as Bush. McCain misses the personal, evil bitterness that many Democrats feel against Bush, but he also misses the easy-going "Let's get the bad guys," swagger our current president enjoys. McCain is harder to hate, and harder to love.

Where will it land?
As Al Qaeda pretends that they care about Muhammad (there is no peace upon him), or his teachings, and wipe their sacrilegious excrement across the world, they threaten Western Europe. Europe will barely be noticed by the USA, but the smallest burp in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania will be returned with the fastest six guns in the western world.

See what CNN is saying.

Al Qaeda No. 2: Attacks on Western nations in works
CNN
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- Al Qaeda still has plans to target Western countries involved in the Iraq war, Osama bin Laden's chief deputy warns in an audiotape released Tuesday to answer questions posed by followers.

Barack Obama Insults Small Town People, Religious People, Clinton and Bush Supporters, Gun Supporters

One more reason Ron Paul should be in the White House?

Obama's "Bitter" Comment Halts His Momentum

One of two things happened: Barack Obama either himself wrote a very stupid speech, or, approved one written by someone who believes as Obama believes.

And no, it is not true, John McCain and Hillary Clinton did not team up to hack into his laptop to alter a speech that originally said, "Those hardworking men who are proud to be American." This is not American Idol, which changed a famous Christian song Shout to the Lord to be as deep as Kumbaya.

What is the Hubbub?
According to the Washington Post, Barack Obama said,
"You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton Administration and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are going to regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

In one tiny paragraph, he insults small town people, religious people, Clinton supporters, Bush supporters, gun supporters. He also insult these small town people directly for having voted for George W Bush because, by suggesting they fell through the cracks under George H W Bush, and Bill Clinton, plus George W Bush (first term), he says that after 16 years of falling through the cracks, they came and voted for George W in record numbers this last time.

What has happened is a grave mistake for Barack Obama, and support for John McCain. It does not make sense that most of the people he insulted would vote Democrat after this, especially for Obama.

Will this fade away? You bet. The Obama supporters need this to go away. They'll play it as no a big deal, and point out apologies.

Religion and Politics: We are all hypocrites

Barack Obama's faith is, presently, an enormous issue, because, in his case, his faith is affiliated, directly, with a man who appears unapologetically race-focused. Obama himself makes no apologies, like Bill Clinton and George W Bush, when he says he is a born-again Christian.

Obama's pastor is under fire for two questions: is he racist, and, is he using the pulpit to promote a specific political candidate. One is wrong ethically, and the other is illegal, so the questions are valid.

The correlating question: is Obama the same as his pastor in matters of disrespecting those who are not black? The Wall Street Journal thinks so, claiming Obama's own white mother would not be welcome at his church.

Obama tried to address all of this yesterday. He may lose the presidency through this issue, or win triumphantly. His speech might be the edge he needed to win over whatever remaining delegates or super-delegates, or sink him entirely. The issue gave him a platform to do what he his famously strong for, and famously criticized for: giving powerful speeches that have nothing to do with public policy or international issues.

Meanwhile, Republicans, often be courted by various faith-based groups and people of faith, have taken hits for letting this dominate their platforms and affiliations, and have, along the way, have been accused of the same thing Obama's pastor is being accused of.

Hillary Clinton, in the middle of it all, is, for all intents and purposes, a humanist. She has though, in Little Rock, been a Sunday school teacher and hob-nobs with the leadership of the United Methodist. However, she has not known, nor has been suspected of, being a person who makes decisions from her Christian perspective. She's laying low on this issue, having just ousted Geraldine Ferraro from her campaign for pointing out that Barack Obama is black. Hillary is happy no one is talking about this.

John McCain, meanwhile, is Baptist, yet clearly does not claim to be born-again. As with Hillary, though, no one looks at him and suspects a deep man of faith has walked by. He is happy because he has nothing to do with this issue, and is able to actively campaign without putting out religious or racial fires.

Obama, for all the heat he is taking for the irresponsible comments his pastor has said, is playing the "I'm a Christian" gambit the loudest. And, in my observations, Christians who otherwise disagree with him on his moral issues, are buying it. I don't know if this is nationally true, or merely my small circle.

In other words, if the claims of the candidates are true as to what they believe, atheist candidates who vote for one of the two major parties, no matter who wins the Democratic nomination, for a self-claimed Christian. Each of these three of the remaining candidates has gone out their way to be visible as Christians, and each has gone out of their way to hob-nob with their church's leadership.

Christian Republicans. Cliche? As long as Democrats are playing this concept up, but themselves doing speeches in pulpits, it is not only cliche, but disingenuous.

All of this leads to the fundamental issue: religion in politics. What of it? It, in America, is all over the place, from Reverend Jesse Jackson to Barack Obama's pastor to Mike Huckabee's former job.

We say we do not want religion as a motivator to vote, but then, we vote against a guy because of what he, or his pastor believes. Or we vote for the same person. Religion, or the absence of it, motivated us, and intrigues us enough to explore the candidates and what others are saying about their faith.

If it didn't, you wouldn't be reading this post. :)

A Joker Stumps for Hillary Clinton (Batman is Ticked ): Jack Nicholson On Hillary

Want to know what Ron Paul has too much dignity to do?

The Hillary Clinton Campaign released a video starring Jack Nicholson today. The spot consists of a statement from Nicholson along with him in character as The Joker, Col. Jessup (A Few Good Men), and Jake Gittes (Chinatown). Watch it:



Commissioner Gordon, Batman, and Robin all declined comment. Barack Obama is said to be preparing a video response dressed as Bat Girl, to appeal to his more liberal fans. John McCain was quoted as Sylvester Stallone's character, John Rambo, "Remember who drew first blood." His YouTube video response will presumably be done with him dressed as president.

Personally, I think "One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest."

Rowan Williams, Sharia & the Notorious Danish Muslim Cartoons

Rowan Williams, chief honcho of the Anglican Church, or, as he his officially known, Supreme Cheese of the NonEssential Church of England, Cantebury Franchise, has declared that Sharia Law ought to be allowed in England.

Sharia Law, to those unaware of head choppings and related sins of Islam, is based on the Koran. Williams, naturally, as someone claiming to be a Christian, thinks it is fine to support this. Maybe it was the freedom Muslims give Christians in places like Sudan that impressed him?

There's no telling what Willy is up to, but let's remember the view of free speech the Danish Muslim Cartoon fiasco stirred up. A few cartoons that present a view contrary to one Muslims believe caused almost a war in Denmark.

This is what our next president must know what to do about. Whether it is Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, John McCain or Mike Huckabee, or longshot Ron Paul, the world they inherit is by default antiChristian (all but Paul have declared they are Christians), antiAmerican (all seem to prefer American over other countries), and anti-freedom of Women (the National Organization of Women would have a field day in Sudan._

Where's the Magna Carta?

1. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoonsresponse.htm


2. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons01.htm


3. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons02.htm


4. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons03.htm


5. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons04.htm


6. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons05.htm


7. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons06.htm


8. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons07.htm


9. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons08.htm


10. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons09.htm


11. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons10.htm


12. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons11.htm


13. http://HungarianBookstore.com/danishmuslimcartoons12.htm

Super Tuesday results

Super Tuesday results. Read up to the minute poll reports for all candidates.

• Democrats: Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama
• Republicans: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul

Clinton gets most lobbyist money, McCain most help

Hillary Clinton shows her deft skill at negotiating old money by bringing some of Washington DC's mllions into her hands. In fact, she's strong, able to convince special interests she'll even help them if they give her money.

Dear old Barack Obama had to raise his record funds from ordinary people because, well, it is important he gets their millions so he can give it to the poor (we call them TV stations in Chicago).

Clinton gets most lobbyist money, McCain most help

Jonathan D. Salant
Mon Feb 4, 1:29 PM ET

Feb. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Democrat Hillary Clinton has raised more money from lobbyists than any other presidential candidate while Republican John McCain has more of them assisting his campaign.

Clinton took in $823,087 from registered lobbyists and members of their firms in 2007 and the second-biggest recipient was McCain, who took in $416,321, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington-based group which tracks political giving. Barack Obama, Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination, doesn't take money from registered lobbyists, although he received $86,282 from employees of firms that lobby, according to the center.

McCain has 26 registered lobbyists as campaign advisers or fundraisers compared with 11 for Clinton and none for Obama, according to review of records compiled by Public Citizen, a Washington-based group that favors stronger disclosure laws for lobbyists.

Even as they pledge to rein in special interests, the leading Democratic and Republican candidates are relying on lobbyists to bring in campaign cash by raising money from other donors, a technique known as bundling.

I Don't Care Anymore: Why We Aren't Voting Values and Issues

I don't care that his values are different than mine. He's so refreshing, and he's black. We can make history by voting him in. What America needs today in Washington DC is a man who stands for hope and history, not for what I believe.

I don't care that she's maligned as dishonest and a feminist, as lifetime politician who carpetbagged into New York. She's a woman. What America needs today in Washington DC is a person who is not a man. She'll care more about the issues. I don't have to agree with her views, just that the change happens.

I don't care that his values seem to change. He's so firm and leader-like. What America needs today in Washington DC is a man who leads. What he leads is not relevant to me.

I don't care that he agrees quietly with issues I morally oppose. He's an American hero. What America needs today in Washington DC is a hero, one who will stand brave against our enemies.

I don't care that he seems to be over-the-top in issues I'm mild about. He goes to my church, and that's enough. What America needs today in Washington DC is a believer who believes in his heart what's true. He'll care more about the issues.

Phil Collins puts his two cents with his famous anti-politician song.

Hillary and Bill Clinton wins primary but no delegates

Bill, and his wife, are still running for votes which do not count. Or do they? This is Florida, not Chicago.

Clinton wins primary but no delegates
By MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writer

DAVIE, Fla. - Hillary Rodham Clinton won the Florida Democratic primary Tuesday night, an event that drew no campaigning by any of her presidential rivals and awarded no delegates to the winner.

But Clinton promptly declared it a welcome victory.

The New York senator, fresh off her lopsided loss to Barack Obama in last weekend's South Carolina primary, arranged a rally in the state as the polls were closing, an evident attempt to gain campaign momentum.

She and Obama collide next week in a coast-to-coast competition for delegates across 22 states.

"I am convinced that with this resounding vote, with the millions of Americans who will vote next Tuesday, we will send a clear message that America is back and we will take charge of our destiny once again," she said to a boisterous crowd.

Last year, the national party stripped Florida of its delegates as punishment for moving its primary ahead of Feb. 5 and the candidates pledged to bypass the state. At stake Tuesday were 185 delegates.

John McCain Wins: Rudy Giuliani Becomes the Biggest Loser

Ron Paul took a tough hit.

McCain grabs upper hand
John McCain seizes momentum before Super Tuesday.

» Florida win

Rudy Giuliani shows he is a quitter who was too afraid to start the race. John McCain, however, was losing months ago, but never said he was dead (I did, and was wrong

By DAVID ESPO and LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writers

MIAMI - Sen. John McCain won a breakthrough triumph in the Florida primary Tuesday night, gaining the upper hand in the battle for the Republican presidential nomination ahead of next week's contests across 21 states and lining up a quick endorsement from soon-to-be dropout Rudy Giuliani.

"It shows one thing. I'm the conservative leader who can unite the party," McCain said after easing past former Massachusetts Gov, Mitt Romney in a hard-fought contest.

"It's a very significant boost, but I think we've got a tough week ahead and a lot of states to come," he said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was the Democratic winner in a primary held in defiance of national rules that drew no campaigning and awarded no delegates.

Ron Paul Starts to Rev Up the Engine

What Ron Paul supporters have been waiting for -- Hillary Clinton is shaking in her work boots.

Rep. Ron Paul a surprising contender
Kansas City Star, MO
By JAY ROOT Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul spoke in Shreveport, La., on Monday. His electoral success befuddles Democrats, who say he routinely ..

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Stormin' Norman Schwarzkopf is Gonzo for John McCain

Stormin' Norman Schwarzkopf, otherwise publicly apolitical, speaks up in support of Johnny McCain. For Norm, it is all about war. Too bad. He is smarter than this. For some voters, what Schwarzkopf says about McCain is enough.

It is true. McCain's credentials are great. He's a hero, but can he must post up more than memories and "go get 'em"?

The economy may define the election, not the war. This makes it hard for Republicans. Who do they push in the primaries? What about November? a good war. A bad war. Good economy. Bad economy. They have three viable candidates in John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, all with different takes.

Ron Paul might be running for vice president at this point, as is occasional candidate Rudy Giuliani.

Democrats however, have basically two candidates, and, depending how detailed you look, at a high level, they seem the same. No matter how much nose we heard in the debate, the issue isn't the issues, but who can capably lead. Both are prochoice, progay, antiwar, see economy as troubled.

The rest is race, gender, experience and how much corruption is perceived and/or tolerated.

Norman Schwarzkopf Endorses McCain
FOXNews
by FOXNews.com Schwarzkopf, who with McCain in 2004 was openly critical of then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over his handling of the Iraq war, said in a statement the Arizona senator “has served our country with honor in war and in peace.

Quitter: Bill Richardson. Pressing on: Ron Paul

Bill Richardson, admitting he is a wannabe leader in a field of three powerhouses (John Edwards, Barack Obama, and, of course, Hillary Clinton, sometimes called 'Hillary Rodham Clinton'). Ron Paul, however, is pressing on among the Republicans, undeterred by the challenge in front of him.

Unable to compete with the big girls and boys, Richardson officially is bowing out.

He could not afford to throw donor money in a lost, futile cause. "His impressive credentials" apparently impressed too few, and, realizing he was losing on every front, quit what he could not finish.

Richardson to end 2008 presidential bid
AP - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power.