Jack and Jill Politics - Latest Comments in Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Ms.Martin — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:39:00 -0000

Craig Hickman

It was so true, it wasn't funny.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Craig Hickman — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:27:00 -0000

What happend with SNL?

The writers decided to denounce and reject racism.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

texas girl in l.a. — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:53:00 -0000

I know, acanthus.

I saw that video. I couldn't believe. Not sure what to think.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Angela — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:51:00 -0000

I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I recently signed:

"Feminists for Peace and Barack Obama!"

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NYfeministsforpeace?e

I really think this is an important cause, and I'd like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It's free and takes less than a minute of your time.

Thanks! and let others know if you think they would be interested.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

acanthus — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:34:00 -0000

This is a bit OT, but what happened to SNL? Last time I looked, they pretty openly supported Clinton.

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/play.shtml?mea=250052

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Ms.Martin — Sun, 11 May 2008 13:05:00 -0000

Joe Klein has a good piece in the Time about Obama and the Media.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Ms.Martin — Sun, 11 May 2008 13:04:00 -0000

JJP

Would you guys please consider posting an open thread for the weekend?

Thanks for the consideration.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

rikyrah — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:40:00 -0000

From the WaPo:

Mr. Cool's Intensity

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

rikyrah — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:26:00 -0000

Frank Rich's Column is good today:

Party Like It’s 2008

And, from Open Left

Wow, We Nominated the Black Guy

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Teacher — Sun, 11 May 2008 05:09:00 -0000

Here are some amusing videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFZL33nPoEU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6Lstkiexhc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exsmFDYyK4U

The URL listed below has a good story about how politicians/super delegates fall so far.

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2008/5/10/13921/7570

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Kenya W — Sun, 11 May 2008 04:17:00 -0000

Angela, as Rikyrah, thanked you for the input on SBO mother, I thank you too. But, truthfully, I don’t know anything about Barbara Bush, Mother Clinton, The other mother Bush or any other presidents mother. Why do some people feel that SBO has to give a dissertation on his mother, to make THEM more comfortable? He has written two books and has a grammy award winning cd. Why we need to know more about his personal life than any other nominee in history is not really a mystery, but is distressing to me. His job is to tell us what his ideas and plans for this nation. I don't believe that SBO or Senator McCain have to give a novel on their family history.
Lastly, SBO has a wonderful woman who stands beside him as a testament to his appreciation for the intelligence, brilliance and the importance of women.

Michelle Obama has been given a critical role in this campaign. As evidence of how truly progressive SBO is when it comes to women’s significance in life. If the Hillary Clinton supporters do accept an outstanding wife, mother and accomplished professional women like Michelle Obama then to hell with them. I will make it my life’s mission to register enough voters to make up the difference…at least here in Georgia.

God bless and goodnight.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

rikyrah — Sun, 11 May 2008 01:28:00 -0000

truthseeker,

if she told me water was wet, I'd have to verify it first.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

TruthSeeker — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:06:00 -0000

Hillary Holds Private Conference Call With Her Super-Dels: "I Know This Is Not Easy"

Do you believer what she says?

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

rikyrah — Sat, 10 May 2008 22:08:00 -0000

angela,

thank you for that story about Barack's mother. People have commented that he doesn't talk about her very much. I think because it's just so personal for him. Others have said that he's the first ' feminist' President, because he was raised by a fierce feminist. He obviously has no problem with smart, independent women. His grandmother, mother, sister and wife are all strong, independent, capable, smart women.

I believe his mother is his guardian angel looking out for him.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

babyming — Sat, 10 May 2008 21:11:00 -0000

It's fine with me if Obama helps to pay down the debts of the Clinton campaign. I don't know anyone in politics, but I assume it's pretty "normal" for one Democrat to help out another Democrat in this way.

And as other commenters here have pointed out, if Obama did this, it would help him with some Clinton supporters.

Giving Hillary the vice presidential spot on the ticket is a different matter entirely. I definitely would vote for McCain.

I'll be very happy to vote for Obama, assuming his running mate isn't Hillary Clinton.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Anonymous — Sat, 10 May 2008 20:43:00 -0000

He has to do this because there is no way BO can win with only the support of Black voters and liberal, rich, white intellectuals. Hopefully it works, but it will be a long shot in November. Lying about what he knew about Rev Wright's opinions has killed him - whether you want to admit it or not folks.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Angela — Sat, 10 May 2008 20:20:00 -0000

Happy Mother's Day!

Send this on...it is a story of a wonderful woman.

"FYI, I really enjoyed this article re Obama’s mother. I think Goodman makes an excellent point. Obama has a unique story to tell about his mother. I think it could be done poignantly.

Ellen Goodman

Sharing dreams from his mother

Lolo Soetoro and Ann Dunham pose with daughter Maya Soetoro and son Barack Obama in an undated photo. (Family photo via Bloomberg News)

Email|Print|Single Page| Text size – + By Ellen Goodman

May 9, 2008

FROM time to time during this primary, I've wondered about Obama's mama. In a race that was so much about biography, about beliefs rooted in her son's "DNA," she's made only cameo appearances.

more stories like this

·

She was the "mother from Kansas" balanced alliteratively with the "father from Kenya." Or she was the white parent whose genes combined with the black parent. Or she was the woman dying of cancer "more worried about paying her medical bills than getting well." And on Tuesday night when her son all but sewed up the nomination, she appeared again as the "single parent who had to go on food stamps at one point."

I have been thinking of her not just because it's nearly Mother's Day but because Obama will soon have to reach out to Hillary Clinton's supporters, especially to women of a certain age who attached their hopes to having a woman in the White House. Obama has not yet had a "gender conversation" with those women.

What better link does he have than his mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, the girl whose own father expected and wanted a boy child? Ann Dunham, a nonconformist, a woman of the world who traveled a trajectory of change so associated with Hillary's generation?

Last week, my eye lit on an odd correction in The New York Times. It read: "The assertion that Mr. Obama had 'never known' his Kenyan father should have been that he had 'barely known' him." Surely it was a distinction without a difference.

It's no surprise that Obama wrote an entire memoir dedicated to his "barely known" parent: "Dreams from My Father." It was only after his mother's death that he wrote in a new preface, "I think sometimes that had I known she would not survive her illness, I might have written a different book - less a meditation on the absent parent, more a celebration of the one who was the single constant in my life." He added that "she was the kindest, most generous spirit I have ever known, and that what is best in me I owe to her."

From all accounts, this daughter of a family that kept traveling west in restless pursuit of the American dream took no part in Eisenhower-era conformity. She was a teenager in Hawaii when she fell for the charismatic Kenyan in her Russian class and married him six months before her son was born. This was a time when interracial marriage was still illegal in parts of the country.

The rest of the story is known: a divorce, a marriage to an Indonesian, a second divorce. She was a mother who kept her children focused as well as fed. But what's less known is the woman in her own right, the one who became an anthropologist, the woman who spent years as the respected head of research for Women's World Banking, bringing micro-financing to poor people in Indonesia.

Nancy Barry, who was the head of Women's World Banking and knew Ann well, has been bewildered by the way she's been reduced to a stick figure. "She was stubborn, hard core, decisive, convincing, deep-thinking, rigorous in her analysis," says Barry. "When I hear Barack talking about how we are not red states, blue states, but the United States, I think he gets that from his mother. The other core capability he gets from her is the desire for healing."

Indeed, the Obama we see may be the offspring of "Dreams from My Mother."

If Ann were alive today she would be the age of Hillary Clinton's most devoted demographic. She would be among those women who have gone through enormous transitions, making and remaking the female script. Dreaming big.

I am not suggesting Obama drag out his mama as a prop. But he's staked his case for the presidency on his ability to bridge racial, cultural, party divides, to lead a post-partisan America. Now he's faced with another divide: women who identified their success with Hillary's and who are unsure they will vote for him.

What better way to begin reaching out, holding the 'gender conversation,' showing women he "gets it" than by sharing the dreams he inherited and the dreams he understands. The dreams from his mother. A girl named Stanley.

Ellen Goodman's e-mail address is ellengoodman@globe.com."

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

TruthSeeker — Sat, 10 May 2008 20:07:00 -0000

Conyers 'worried' about Clinton's impact on Dems' presidential chances

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

TruthSeeker — Sat, 10 May 2008 19:45:00 -0000

Michelle Obama talks about her role if she is First Lady

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Nquest — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:26:00 -0000

"...Obama has to give the appearance of being generous, for the party's sake."

Something he finds all too hard to do when it comes to Black people, Rev. Wright in particular.

Amazing!

Yes! I went there...

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Val — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:01:00 -0000

Obama is not allowed to use funds donated to his campaign to pay off Hillary's debt. He can however ask for democrats to send her some donations.

Personally I think what is $25M to someone that has $109M? Two more speeches from Bill and her debt is paid off.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

The Christian Progressive Libe — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:18:00 -0000

Obama should layout what he expects Billary and her campaign to do before he agrees to pay any of her debts. Then payment should be contingent on her delivering the goods. Nothing should be paid until after the elections in November. You are right she is not to be trusted.

If he's even thinking about doing this, he'd better make her honor her side of any agreement before he honors his.

We've seen this before; they promise; we comply; they betray us and tell us "wait 'til next time."

No more of that shyt. How many times to we have to be Charlie Brown and hope Lucy will hold the football in place for placekicking?

If I were Obama, I'd adopt the Colin Powell "Pottery Barn" rule:

HILLARY BROKE IT; HILLARY PAYS FOR IT. 'NUFF SAID.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

The Christian Progressive Libe — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:13:00 -0000

You're on my stomping grounds, now, Jack.

If you like Mexican food, go get your grub on at Pancho Villa's. Best burritos and nachos in Northern Cal.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

leneypoo — Sat, 10 May 2008 16:14:00 -0000

Anon. that's why this primary needs to end June 3rd, or whenever the last primary is supposed to happen. We can't have Senator Clinton fighting this out in August.

The best way to bring everyone together is to give people time. Right now everyone is extremely invested and tensions are at their highest. The more time people get used to Obama and the more time people realize that McCain is not a viable alternative, the better.

Re: Obama Launches Vote For Change, A Massive 50-State Registration Drive

Anonymous — Sat, 10 May 2008 15:55:00 -0000

Thanks for posting the link to Vote from Abroad. I am an expat living in Zurich who was put on to this blog through a Huff Post link. I have been volunteering with Democrats Abroad here in Zurich and it is great to see that. Keep up the stimulating commentary!

I am an Obama supporter but was on the Hillary website just to see what her supporters think. I like to hear both sides of the story. Unless there is a miracle, it seems that it will be really hard to get them to come aboard for the general. Will be interesting.....

Any thoughts on how this can be accomplished?