Jack and Jill Politics - Latest Comments in How Does Obama Do It?

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Anderkoo — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:06:00 -0000

Hey Baratunde, stay positive man, it was a real honor and privilege to walk the streets of SW Philly with you last Sunday. I'm pretty sure you're sick because I made you skip all those meals. (But it could also be allergies, those trees went ballistic this past week).

We did good work, met a lot of people, and helped a lot of people be part of democracy again. Not just Hope, but Faith, Hope, and Love. Let's have Faith that the American people will do the right thing. Let's keep showing Americans Love to get them there. I know we can.

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

jon — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:58:00 -0000

sometimes it's just time for a break ... i hope you feel better physically soon -- getting away from the stress will certainly help -- and that you find ways to use your blogging time and energy that you find both productive and enjoyable. i tend to agree that there's not much more to say about the nomination process at this point; and the larger problems -- food, energy, the economy -- aren't going away so a change of focus could be good!

jon

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Admiral Komack — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:35:00 -0000

@joe in oklahoma:

Good post.

I'm just waiting for the process to work itself out.

If Obama is screwed out of the nomination by the DNC, there will be hell to pay!

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

marc — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:15:00 -0000

have a break, man, but do come back.

it's quite normal to feel tired and frustrated under these circums. you've earned your r&r.;

i'm sure you'll be there for the next and final phase. you won't give up.

respect, and best wishes.

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

joe in oklahoma — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:30:00 -0000

as another white guy who discovered this blog a coupla months ago and read it daily, i am so grateful for your insights. get well, take care of yourself. i feel much the same as i see this country seeming to slip away into something unrecognizable.

it occurs to me that something important may be happening in this torturous primary process. the process is too long. one candidate is now intent on destroying the front runner. the so-called leadership of the Democratic party remains silent as the process threatens to disembowel the party and alienate voters.

maybe the "something important" is a realization that America needs a new party. two years ago the dems were given a chance in Congress to change the direction of the country, and to challenge Bush and his fellow bandits. they refrained from leadership. during this primary season the dems had the opportunity to offer America some hope and confidence. they are determined instead to form a circular firing squad. and the so-called leaders and elders of the party remain silent.

the Obama campaign has given voice to a long dormant vision of a renewed America, and this vision is not going to be dormant any longer. such a hopeful vision, once associated with the Democratic party is scorned by the current party machinery, because the current machine has lost its way and no longer believes in democracy, equality, or social progress.

if Obama is shut down, or more likely, if the party machinery continues to allow him to fend for himself (in their silence) while Hillary plays on racist stereotypes, invokes terrorism fears, and continues to do everything she can not just to win, but to destroy him (and he can not really strike back...that would play out in the media, the Clinton campaign and the GOP in a blatantly racist way) ....

if Hillary and the machine prevail, it may be time for progressive Americans to consider other options. maybe that is what is happening.

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

raymond — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:37:00 -0000

Hi Jack,
I feel the same way as you. A whole group of us from the Bay Area just returned from a week of pounding the pavement and 12 to 14 hour days in Philadelphia.

I also have a sore throat and am frustrated by the cockroach-like nature of Hillary's campaign.

Raymond

http://tri_blog.livejournal.com

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:33:00 -0000

From Blacks4Barack...Regarding NEW STRATEGY !
CALL TODAY !!! Stress THE FACTS to DNC & SuperDelegates !(FACT IS: Clinton Has Lost ENTIRE BLACK VOTE !)

It is absolutely amazing how the media is spinning the Clinton victory in Pennsylvania.....regardless of the facts. First of all, although she was leading in the polls by over 22%, she won by 9.4%....not 'double digits' which sounds so much more like a blowout. Secondly, unless Hillary wins every remaining primary by 76% or more, it is absolutley mathematically impossible for her to catch Obama in the pledged delegate count. That's just a fact. Obama is leading in delegate count, number of states won and popular vote, even though now she has convinced some in the media to count the votes in Michigan and Florida to claim a lead in popular vote, although the fact is.....those states don't count.

While the media is dissecting the demographics, for some reason they keep leaving one verrrrry important statistic out of their breakdown. The Major Fact Is.....BILLARY HAS ALIENATED AND LOST THE ENTIRE BLACK VOTE ! Where's THAT fact ? And they have the gall to think that they can claim her to be more electable to superdelegates.......with close to zero black support......ARE THEY NUTS ???????? Hillary Clinton is the first democratic presidential nominee in modern day history to lose the entire black vote ! That, too, is a fact !

THE STRATEGY IS SIMPLE:

It is time for EVERYONE to contact the DNC and every superdelegate that we can trace and remind them that due to her own actions HILLARY HAS LOST THE ENTIRE BLACK VOTE ! How in the world could she and Bill have the nerve to claim more electabilty when they have lost an entire race of people....the very group that the Democratic Party has always been able to count on.

SPEAK OUT !!!!

TIME TO MAKE CALLS....SEND EMAILS....CALL RADIO TALK SHOWS....EVERY WAY YOU CAN THINK OF !!!!!! THEY MUST HEAR FROM US !!!!

Call The DNC TODAY at 202-863-8000 or contact them at Democrats.org.

This is in no way meant to be racial. We are all in this together....blacks, whites, young, old, rich and poor......working together for a better America. But the fact that Hillary Clinton (wife of 'The First Black President', who started this campaign with 82% of the black support)has lost the support of an entire race of people....is not only pitiful.....but should be made....a very well known FACT !

Visit: Blacks4Barack.org

(A Multi-Racial Organization...Dedicated To Truth !)

SHARE THIS EVERYWHERE !

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Fat Lady — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:02:00 -0000

I just want to second the advice that hearts and flowers gave - all excellent healing and preventative measures. I would only ad zicam to that list.

I empathize with how you're feeling - both physically and politically. I am feeling much the same - fighting off a cold and battling a serious bought of Clintonitis - with distinct symptoms of apathy and despair.

I hope you feel better soon - body mind and spirit.

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

BigAssBelle — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:05:00 -0000

don't despair, jack. it's going to be okay. when obama has the chance to speak without all of these distractions, people cannot help but be moved and changed by it.

this will happen. i know it will. don't give up.

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

GoldenAh — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:54:00 -0000

Saw the final tally, not bad: north of 9%. Obama aimed for 10%.

These guys know what they are doing. I wouldn't be surprised at the demographic / voting analysis going on with them.

The GE should be interesting. Using my poor math skills for the GE: I took out Billary's angry 20%. Obama was left with a hefty margin over total Republican votes. (I know all of them didn't come out.)

Independents are a wild card. Yet, split their tally 50%-50% per candidate in the GE, and Obama carries the PA state.

This has been the pattern over a number of states he won early on. Dem. turnout has been incredible.

When the election coverage gets to you: watch something entertaining, read a good book, get a good night's sleep. Stress kills. Don't worry about things you cannot control. The media works on negative hype. They love this race, it's making them big bucks....

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Plantsmantx — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:12:00 -0000

"As "anything goes" as girlfriend is, she has a point about The Big O's inability to win the states w/ the most electoral votes. And Ohio, demographically, is a microcosm (cross-section) of the U.S."

She may have a point about him not winning those states in a primary race. Also, she says this after not just engaging in the normal criticism of one's opponent that goes on in campaigns, she says it after "othering" him to the point where many of the people who voted for her in the primaries almost feel that voting for him in the general would be an act of treason against America. The kind of racial dynamics mentioned in the other post is clearly recognizable here. This particular one is the one where they push you into the mud, then denounce you for being dirty.

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:26:00 -0000

I wonder how many non-black "lurkers" like me you have on this site and I've never posted since I'm always afraid that I don't have the right perspective or experience to comment, even though I almost ALWAYS agree with what's written here (living with a black man for 5 years has taught me plenty). But your post made me brave enough to reply. PLEASE DON'T STOP BLOGGING!!! I feel your pain and frustration. I go through the same emotions every single day when I turn the TV on. And coming to this site has kept me grounded because you and your co-host always keep it real (even through the many times when I've wondered how you can keep from telling all the white folks to go...well you get my drift).
I love this blog and as a result I've sent many of my friends (white, black and hispanic) to this site. Take a break if you must and get well...but please come back. If they do steal the nomination, maybe there will be enough outrage out there to finally get a viable third party started. You never know!

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:03:00 -0000

Hillary is just not willing to do anything to win the nomination, to destroy the nominee, but she is also out to destroy the Democratic Party. She is angry with Howard Dean, over the Florida and Michigan Primaries, and the perceive disloyalty amongst party insiders. She never want Howard Dean to be the Chair of the DNC. She needs the Florida and Michigan primaries She despises to having to pander to these super-delegates. She will destroy the party rather than let nomination go. She clearly understands that she is creating schism within the Party

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:53:00 -0000

person on MSNBC was Congressman Adam Smith

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:51:00 -0000

Hillary has opened the floodgates for all kinds of attacks on Obama

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

N. Mahana — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:49:00 -0000

I just saw this post, I have had Jack and Jill open in my browser all day and didn't refresh the page, just the comment box *lol*

Take care of yourself, but please don't give up! What you write and what you do is making a difference. Example: all the people who comment here (including myself).

I know it's dispiriting to see what's transpiring in this primary election but as someone said...did we really think it would be easy??

Clinton may get her way but we right now Senator Obama is in the lead and that's what matters!

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:46:00 -0000

What Obama needs is more experience.

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Torrance Stephens bka All-Mi-T — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:43:00 -0000

not to be pedantic, but they dont call it poly (many) Tricks

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

NMP — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:33:00 -0000

Jack,

You are probably one of the most eloguent men on the planet. Your eloguence is even reflected in your anger. You and Senator Obama are very similar in that way, but that's part of his problem.

The primary reason that Senator McCain's notorious temper hasn't hurt him with voters is that they respect it. The same goes for Hillary Clinton. They can't stand her dirty tactics, but they begrudgingly respect her fighter instincts. White folks, specifically middle America, love a fighting spirit in their politicians.

Now we all know that Senator Obama can not show a hint of anger without being branded 'the angry Black man', but that doesn't mean his coolness can't be accompanied by a clear determination to win.

He literally needs to become Michael Jordan, with all the charm, swagger and killer instinct. Very rarely did Michael Jordan show anger or frustration on the court, but there was never a doubt--you could see it in his eyes--that he would do whatever it took to win. He never talked trash in front of the cameras, but he was the biggest trash talker on the court. We would see him smiling at Reggie Miller, but what we didn't hear was him telling Reggie Miller "I'm going to rip your throat out." He mastered quiet intimidation with a killer smile and grace. Unfortunately, Senator Obama is coming off as quiet and intimidated by Hillary Clinton.

He's losing the respect of white men! Even Chris Matthews is getting over his man crush.

It's not totally his fault. He can't be expected to do all the heavy lifting on his own. The one clear advantage that Senator Clinton enjoys is having surrogates who will fight Jesus Christ if necessary on her behalf. Senator Obama, on the other hand, has surrogates that appear to be hedging their bets on the slight chance she can take the nomination.

He needs more political surrogates like Representative Adam Smith of WA. He is absolutely fantastic! Unlike David Axelrod who allowed Tim Russert to repeat the LIE that Senator Obama did not put his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance, Rep. Smith has never allowed a false charge or criticism of Senator Obama to go unchallenged.

Senator Obama needs more Represenative Smiths and more David Geffens, political version of David Geffens that is. Truer words have never been spoken when he said, "all politicians lie, but the Clintons lie with such ease it's disturbing." We need surrogates that are not afraid to exploit the character weakness of the Clintons.

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Admiral Komack — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:32:00 -0000

Jack,
Take care of yourself.

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:43:00 -0000

I for one will probably be on a media blackout for the next two weeks. One of the reasons I feel the networks are in the tank for Hillary is because they NEED her to become our nominee. If Hillary thinks that Monica and the blue dress is dead she will be in for a heap of a surprise. If Hillary is our nominee we as a county loose. Hillary's negatives are too high to win and the Republicans know that. Why is it that John McCain is now trying to court the African American vote? Hillary has shown she doesn't want our vote and probably thinks she can win without it hoping that the Hispanic vote will carry her into the White House. John McCain is thinking the African Americans will want someone to vote for and he would be a better alternate that Hillary. I think Hillary has pissed on African Americans to the point of no return. I will Not give up on Barack not now!!

Barack 08

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

TruthSeeker — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:27:00 -0000

@ heartsandflowers

..Barack was blowing his nose on the stump a couple months ago.

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Felicia — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:26:00 -0000

Jack, get well and continue blogging. This place is a respite for me because we all (whether Republcan or Democrat; Pro-Clinton, Pro-McCain, or Pro-Obama) have the same experiences as people of color.

I think most of us are depressed because we've seen how two great politicians have been dragged through the mud--Hillary did it to her self by becoming a Republican-lite candidate. And there's no end to this mess.

As someone earlier said, it's never been easy for black folk. But I have to believe that once Obama puts Clinton away, he will become president because his opponent is so weak.

So keep up the hope everbody--donate money to Obama's campaign, phonebank for him, and if you live in or near any of the upcoming states, get out the vote for him.

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

heartsandflowers — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:05:00 -0000

Jack as a singer here a few things I do to help boost my immune system:

Keep in mind while you travel that eating local grown fresh honey contains antigens to that area and help you stay healthy.

1. Peel and Boil fresh ginger to make a tea and add honey and lemon.

2. Emergen - C or similar

3. Buy a neti pot to flush your entire sinus cavity OR you can buy a organic saline nasal spray

4. Use a dehumidifier regularly and a clean air filter

5. Tiger Balm or Vicks Vapo-Rub

6. Chicken soup - it's been scientifically proven. If you don't eat meat I suppose you could just do the broth and vegies.

7. 10-15 of deep breathing and mediative down time

8. 10 glasses of water per day

9. Positive Thoughts.

10. Prayer

Those Hillary supporters would have never said that about John Edwards. We have been given an opportunity to fix so many problems with this country and it will be a long battle. If it had been easy it wouldn't mean as much! I am positive but I also know we have free will and historically every current superpower falls. So this is the moment where we can point to our demise or our rebirth.

Seriously I don't know how Obama does it. He is always in great spirits, looks rested and hasn't been sick yet. Those are in support of restoring morality and justice to this country can not give up. Evil is always on the look out and weak-willed people are easily manipulated. We have to remain vigilant!

Re: How Does Obama Do It?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:58:00 -0000

Cut and paste from another board. Strong stuff indeed:

The US deserves Hillary Clinton for their President. I'm serious. We hate the facts. We hate the truth. We love to be part of the mob and beat down on those damn free thinkers. We are a nation of bullies who love to pile on the new guy and then laugh about it later while convincing ourselves that they deserved it. We'd prefer to be told what to do and what to think than decide for ourselves. Even when we are shown the lie, we will still accept it. We are her people. Obama thinks too highly of us.

Is there any doubt AT ALL in anyone's mind that Hillary and/or Bill Clinton will lie at any opportunity if they believe it will serve them better than the truth? Be it over sexual relations with 'that' woman. I supported NAFTA while I was against it, or was it that she was against NAFTA while she supported it? Bringing peace to Northern Ireland and Bosnia. Sniper fire. Taxes. White House experience, 3 a.m. calls. I heard the recording of Bill Clinton saying that the Obama Campaign played the race card, and hours later he denied saying it at all. That has been a running theme in this campaign. Lay out an accusation to the press of active wrongdoing on the part of the Obama campaign, no proof, mind you, only an accusation and then pretend you said no such thing when confronted with the fact that the accusation is unfounded.

The press is complicit. the bigger the whopper, the more coverage it will get. Was the Rev. Wright thing, or the bitter comments, really that much of a story or did they become the big story because everyone felt a need to tear down the new guy. The fact the Hillary Clinton lied, or misspoke about her trip to Bosnia did not get half the coverage of Wright. The fact that she said quite clearly that she would commit US troops to any Mid-East conflict and directly threatened Iran (who according to the NIE has no viable nuke program, the NIE was right about Iraq, I see no reason to doubt them here). No press, no massive outcry of war hawkishness, foreign policy naiveté, no pre-emptive rush to war, again.

Hillary Clinton has lied to us, hidden things from us, misled us on her policies and positions. Has all but ceased presenting the merits of her case to be the President in favor of attacking her opponent to make you vote against him rather than for her. She knows what we are; scared monkeys that wait for the crack of the whip to know which way to jump instead of selecting a path for ourselves that will lead away from that torture all together.

Hillary Clinton says she is only doing what the Republicans were going to do against Obama anyway. If that is the case, what makes her different from any other Republican? what makes her different from George Bush for that matter? Her plans for social security is the same as his, form a committee and wait. Attacking Iran is on her agenda, the same as his. She will listen to the Generals on the ground in Iraq to decide what to do, just as he does. She has made impossible promises during the campaign that the office of the President cannot deliver on. When they evaporate and she is branded a liar, she will say she only misspoke, or that it is 'their' fault, or she will simply gloss over it and present a new shiny thing to get our attention. HRC is the secret Republican candidate. Obama is the only candidate left in the race that does not have a Republican agenda and does not use republican tactics. Pointing and blaming to win at politics has been successful for a long time.

I'll say it again. We are a nation of bullies and thugs. We will follow the person who is picking on the other guy, because we don't want them picking on us. As a mob we will accept lies for truth if we hear it loud and long enough, even when the facts are held up to us brightly.

Here are some examples of some truths that people don't care about and find it more acceptable to believe the lie:

Obama is and has not been a Muslim, in faith or practice. - There has never been anything other than innuendo to suggest otherwise. He was not sworn in on the Koran.

Obama loves America. - Not just because he says it, but because for over 20 years he has worked avidly on the behalf of his fellow citizens. If you believe that the end all be all of patriotism is encompassed by a lapel pin, that is exactly what the rising socialist party in Germany believed in the 30's when they required their members to wear their pins to prove loyalty.

Obama is not an elitist. - He grew up with divorced parents without any great wealth. Went to school on scholarship and student loans. Did not have significant financial success until after publishing a book. Still the least wealthy candidate in the race. That said being elite is a good thing, he is well educated, articulate, and intelligent, with high levels of compassion and empathy and has a highly organized and tactical mind. We should want someone who is the best of the best, or elite, to be the President. Of the three remaining candidates, I would say that Obama has the most and most recent experience actually working on the front lines for the people in this country.

Not everyone Obama ever knew or met tells him what to think, or will somehow have influence over him as President. - We all know people that we have significant differences with, some we work with, some we associate with, some we know in passing. Rarely could any of them dictate to us what we think and believe. Certainly even fewer than that would be able to tell us how we do our jobs. No other candidate is being held to that standard.

Obama has not been vetted - Please find me another candidate that has had his patriotism questioned so openly and baldly. Show me another candidate who has had investigations into his life and his writings played across the press going back to his days in kindergarten. Find me another candidate that had so little to be found in his own life to attack that the Republican opposition, including Hillary Clinton has had to resort to not only making things up out of whole cloth but also attacking anyone he knew for longer than 10 minutes for something they may have said or done, sometimes prior to ever having met the candidate.

The Republicans and HRC are counting on people to not think. To be afraid, to not trust what is different. To listen more to a 30 second commercial that not so subtly and completely falsely tries to connect her opponent to a terrorist. Obama thinks that you are better than that, that you will read the positions and policies and make a decision on what is best for the country.

I know better. HRC and the Republicans want to incite a lynch mob and are doing a good job with it. Like that lynch mob you will surely feel guilty tomorrow, maybe even a little ashamed for being so easily led, but you are marching along today, chest puffed out and holding your heads high.

If you believe the polls, over half the registered democrats believe her to be untrustworthy, nearly 60% in the last poll. A blip on the news, Obama's bowling score got more coverage. yet she continues to be competitive. Why? Because Americans know they can trust a lying politician to lie and can accept that but a truthful politician cannot be withstood. Someone who calls us to be our better selves must be defeated, because to be our better selves would force us to face that we have been less than we should have been, and we can't have that.

Hillary Clinton has been clear that she is willing to win at any cost. While we may want to admire that sentiment, take a moment to think about it. She is willing to sacrifice anything and everything to win. The reason this sounds familiar is because it is the same philosophy the current administration has of its agenda.

You'll probably win HRC. You will do whatever is necessary to do so, and your opponent will continue to appeal to our better angles in the false belief that they are there to hear him. Americans do not want the audacity of hope. They do not want responsibility, they do not want truth. It is easier to mumble "No we can't" than the other thing. We crave the juicy gossip, the innuendo, and the boldest of lies, the cheap shot, it is just more entertaining. Hillary likes to keep us beating up on the new guy, because she feels she has already gotten her lumps. In the face of not having anything to beat him up on, she can make stuff up, we don't care. we just prefer to beat someone down than lift, even ourselves, up.

Obama, America doesn't want hope. They want grist for the mill. Call Hillary Clinton the alternate Republican candidate. Tell them if it walks, talks and campaigns like a Republican...Flat our call her a racist for associating with racists. Say she is an elitist of the first order that hasn't done an honest day's hard work in her adult life. Call her a warmonger who does not truly regret or apologize for her vote to go to war and eagerly awaits the chance to bomb Iran. That she has pimped her daughter and ridden the coattails of her philandering husband to win an election. Call her a liar to her face at the next debate.

By going so negative, the press will brand you a liar on you mission of change, THEN American will trust you.