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I'm 38. My lived experience is that choice-points like this in this country go wrong, and close doors that should be open.
This time it is going right and opening possibilities I thought it was too late for. I don't know how to feel this way. I'll learn.
And, that picture is beautiful.
As Prepared for Delivery
Tonight, after fifty-four hard-fought contests, our primary season has finally come to an end.
Sixteen months have passed since we first stood together on the steps of the Old State Capitol in
Springfield, Illinois.
Thousands of miles have been traveled. Millions of voices have been heard. And because of what you said – because you decided that change must come to Washington; because you believed that this year must be different than all the rest; because you chose to listen not to your doubts or your fears but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations, tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another – a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
I want to thank every American who stood with us over the course of this campaign – through the good days and the bad; from the snows of Cedar Rapidsto the sunshine of
Sioux Falls.
And tonight I also want to thank the men and woman who took this journey with me as fellow candidates for President.
At this defining moment for our nation, we should be proud that our party put forth one of the most talented, qualified field of individuals ever to run for this office. I have not just competed with them as rivals, I have learned from them as friends, as public servants, and as patriots who love America and are willing to work tirelessly to make this country better. They are leaders of this party, and leaders that
America will turn to for years to come.
That is particularly true for the candidate who has traveled further on this journey than anyone else. Senator Hillary Clinton has made history in this campaign not just because she’s a woman who has done what no woman has done before, but because she’s a leader who inspires millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to the causes that brought us here tonight.
We’ve certainly had our differences over the last sixteen months. But as someone who’s shared a stage with her many times, I can tell you that what gets Hillary Clinton up in the morning – even in the face of tough odds – is exactly what sent her and Bill Clinton to sign up for their first campaign in Texas all those years ago; what sent her to work at the Children’s Defense Fund and made her fight for health care as First Lady; what led her to the United States Senate and fueled her barrier-breaking campaign for the presidency – an unyielding desire to improve the lives of ordinary Americans, no matter how difficult the fight may be. And you can rest assured that when we finally win the battle for universal health care in this country, she will be central to that victory. When we transform our energy policy and lift our children out of poverty, it will be because she worked to help make it happen. Our party and our country are better off because of her, and I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton.
There are those who say that this primary has somehow left us weaker and more divided. Well I say that because of this primary, there are millions of Americans who have cast their ballot for the very first time. There are Independents and Republicans who understand that this election isn’t just about the party in charge of Washington, it’s about the need to change Washington.
There are young people, and African-Americans, and Latinos, and women of all ages who have voted in numbers that have broken records and inspired a nation.
All of you chose to support a candidate you believe in deeply. But at the end of the day, we aren’t the reason you came out and waited in lines that stretched block after block to make your voice heard. You didn’t do that because of me or Senator Clinton or anyone else. You did it because you know in your hearts that at this moment – a moment that will define a generation – we cannot afford to keep doing what we’ve been doing. We owe our children a better future. We owe our country a better future. And for all those who dream of that future tonight, I say – let us begin the work together. Let us unite in common effort to chart a new course for America.
In just a few short months, the Republican Party will arrive in
St. Paul with a very different agenda. They will come here to nominate John McCain, a man who has served this country heroically. I honor that service, and I respect his many accomplishments, even if he chooses to deny mine. My differences with him are not personal; they are with the policies he has proposed in this campaign.
Because while John McCain can legitimately tout moments of independence from his party in the past, such independence has not been the hallmark of his presidential campaign.
It’s not change when John McCain decided to stand with George Bush ninety-five percent of the time, as he did in the Senate last year.
It’s not change when he offers four more years of Bush economic policies that have failed to create well-paying jobs, or insure our workers, or help Americans afford the skyrocketing cost of college – policies that have lowered the real incomes of the average American family, widened the gap between Wall Street and Main Street, and left our children with a mountain of debt.
And it’s not change when he promises to continue a policy in Iraq that asks everything of our brave men and women in uniform and nothing of Iraqi politicians – a policy where all we look for are reasons to stay in Iraq, while we spend billions of dollars a month on a war that isn’t making the American people any safer.
So I’ll say this – there are many words to describe John McCain’s attempt to pass off his embrace of George Bush’s policies as bipartisan and new. But change is not one of them.
Change is a foreign policy that doesn’t begin and end with a war that should’ve never been authorized and never been waged. I won’t stand here and pretend that there are many good options left in Iraq, but what’s not an option is leaving our troops in that country for the next hundred years – especially at a time when our military is overstretched, our nation is isolated, and nearly every other threat to
Americais being ignored.
We must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in - but start leaving we must. It’s time for Iraqis to take responsibility for their future. It’s time to rebuild our military and give our veterans the care they need and the benefits they deserve when they come home. It’s time to refocus our efforts on al Qaeda’s leadership and Afghanistan, and rally the world against the common threats of the 21st century – terrorism and nuclear weapons; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease. That’s what change is.
Change is realizing that meeting today’s threats requires not just our firepower, but the power of our diplomacy – tough, direct diplomacy where the President of the United States isn’t afraid to let any petty dictator know where America stands and what we stand for. We must once again have the courage and conviction to lead the free world. That is the legacy of Roosevelt, and Truman, and Kennedy. That’s what the American people want. That’s what change is.
Change is building an economy that rewards not just wealth, but the work and workers who created it. It’s understanding that the struggles facing working families can’t be solved by spending billions of dollars on more tax breaks for big corporations and wealthy CEOs, but by giving a the middle-class a tax break, and investing in our crumbling infrastructure, and transforming how we use energy, and improving our schools, and renewing our commitment to science and innovation. It’s understanding that fiscal responsibility and shared prosperity can go hand-in-hand, as they did when Bill Clinton was President.
John McCain has spent a lot of time talking about trips to Iraq in the last few weeks, but maybe if he spent some time taking trips to the cities and towns that have been hardest hit by this economy – cities in Michigan, and Ohio, and right here in Minnesota – he’d understand the kind of change that people are looking for.
Maybe if he went to Iowa and met the student who works the night shift after a full day of class and still can’t pay the medical bills for a sister who’s ill, he’d understand that she can’t afford four more years of a health care plan that only takes care of the healthy and wealthy. She needs us to pass health care plan that guarantees insurance to every American who wants it and brings down premiums for every family who needs it. That’s the change we need.
Maybe if he went to Pennsylvania
and met the man who lost his job but can’t even afford the gas to drive around and look for a new one, he’d understand that we can’t afford four more years of our addiction to oil from dictators. That man needs us to pass an energy policy that works with automakers to raise fuel standards, and makes corporations pay for their pollution, and oil companies invest their record profits in a clean energy future – an energy policy that will create millions of new jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced. That’s the change we need.
And maybe if he spent some time in the schools of South Carolina or St. Paul or where he spoke tonight in New Orleans, he’d understand that we can’t afford to leave the money behind for No Child Left Behind; that we owe it to our children to invest in early childhood education; to recruit an army of new teachers and give them better pay and more support; to finally decide that in this global economy, the chance to get a college education should not be a privilege for the wealthy few, but the birthright of every American. That’s the change we need in
America. That’s why I’m running for President.
The other side will come here in September and offer a very different set of policies and positions, and that is a debate I look forward to. It is a debate the American people deserve. But what you don’t deserve is another election that’s governed by fear, and innuendo, and division. What you won’t hear from this campaign or this party is the kind of politics that uses religion as a wedge, and patriotism as a bludgeon – that sees our opponents not as competitors to challenge, but enemies to demonize. Because we may call ourselves Democrats and Republicans, but we are Americans first. We are always Americans first.
Despite what the good Senator from
Arizona said tonight, I have seen people of differing views and opinions find common cause many times during my two decades in public life, and I have brought many together myself. I’ve walked arm-in-arm with community leaders on the South Side of Chicago and watched tensions fade as black, white, and Latino fought together for good jobs and good schools. I’ve sat across the table from law enforcement and civil rights advocates to reform a criminal justice system that sent thirteen innocent people to death row. And I’ve worked with friends in the other party to provide more children with health insurance and more working families with a tax break; to curb the spread of nuclear weapons and ensure that the American people know where their tax dollars are being spent; and to reduce the influence of lobbyists who have all too often set the agenda in Washington.
In our country, I have found that this cooperation happens not because we agree on everything, but because behind all the labels and false divisions and categories that define us; beyond all the petty bickering and point-scoring in Washington, Americans are a decent, generous, compassionate people, united by common challenges and common hopes. And every so often, there are moments which call on that fundamental goodness to make this country great again.
So it was for that band of patriots who declared in a Philadelphia hall the formation of a more perfect union; and for all those who gave on the fields of
Gettysburg and Antietam their last full measure of devotion to save that same union.
So it was for the Greatest Generation that conquered fear itself, and liberated a continent from tyranny, and made this country home to untold opportunity and prosperity.
So it was for the workers who stood out on the picket lines; the women who shattered glass ceilings; the children who braved a Selma bridge for freedom’s cause.
So it has been for every generation that faced down the greatest challenges and the most improbable odds to leave their children a world that’s better, and kinder, and more just.
And so it must be for us.
America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.
The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment – this was the time – when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America
While we knew what it meant, he didn't and his ignorance showed.
In other news, I can't believe how ungracious the Borg Queen is being in defeat. Nor does she need to be allowed any time to "get herself together". As David Gergen pointed out on CNN, she's had months to prepare for this moment.
Whatever she's offering, unless it's the support of her voters, I hope Obama passes on her as his VP, unless they want John McCain to be the next President.
is the MONEY SHOT!
They are soooo cool!!
Yeah Obama is the one who needs to play hardball now! I want to know where she gets that 18 million voters math from, too. No one has dissected that yet and I suspect it's a lie like everything else that comes out of her mouth.
Melissa Harris-Lacewell wrote a nice piece at the Root http://www.theroot.com but here's the best part:
"They are trying to crawl into Obama's limelight and onto his ticket. Last week she reflected with some glee on the possibility of Obama’s assassination as a path to her nomination and now she should be the VP?
Everyone, including always gracious, high-road taking, vision-crafting Barack, is talking about party unity. But I have another suggestion. Let’s make a better party. We can start by holding accountable all the Congressional Black Caucus members who helped drag out this nominating process by supporting HRC even though their constituents overwhelmingly chose Obama. You saw them. They rushed the stage right after the speech Tuesday.
I have got $2,100 for any progressive, qualified young sister or brother who can mount a serious challenge in 2008 or 2010 against Stephanie Tubbs-Jones of Ohio, Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas, Kendrick Meek of Florida or Artur Davis of Alabama. Kevin Powell is already all over Eldophus Towns in New York. Brother, my check is on the way.
It is our time. Yes we can. "
Don't sleep on these people. This is going to be a difficult fight since it is one that we have not had to deal with before. Like manju said, Clinton has not conceded and she's looking for some way to blackmail her way into the VP slot.
The claws are sharpened, ya'll.
Oh and Joe's back! I love Joe. I know I'm one of the few people that will ever admit that but what-evs.
~Sepia
I'm not saying all black people must be all about Obama but let's face it this is a historical moment. Why taint it, especially if you are a Democrat, by making it about Hillary first freaken thing in the morning?
Did Michelle reject Bob at some point?
When asked if he thought Hillary was going to work to repair her relationship with the black community he worked all around that question as if to sugest there wasn't a problem.
Yuck. He's disgusting.
I say this entire conversation is crazy. Does Hillary really believe that 17.5 million Democrats are going to switch their support to John McCain because she didn't win.
Obama needs to stop this witch now.
We are going to spend the next five months having middle aged white people tell us the state of race relations/civil rights in this country.
Great.
Joe doesn't consider Obama's nomination a big deal because he doesn't see him as a Black man and his life is full of accomplished blacks, sure it's historical but people like Joe don't see color so it is no different than Kerry's nomination. STFU Joe. The only thing good about you being back is that Mika chirps less.
--BPM
This is where history and context come into play. Never before in history has a presidential nomination been this close before. We may not like it but it is 49% to 51%. Hillary is not the only one to blame because the democratic party is an equal offender. Had they taken a stand like they would have if the presumptive nominee wasn't black, it wouldn't have been this close and feelings wouldn't have become so hardened. The real question is since when does the democratic party not force losers to drop out early so that the presumptive nominee and the party can go about doing the hard work towards winning in November? The answer is apparently, when he is black.
Folks are ripping Obama a new butthole on CSpan. Shameful.
--BPM
LOL. Let her.
--BPM
-B
I agree with you and said a month ago that I blame the party for lettng things unravel the way they have.
Hillary shamelessly pushed the MI/FL vote to buy time. She knew the committee would not seat the entire delegation from either state, nor would they give her all the MI votes and Obama none. The party had to know this as well.
I believe there were many in the Democratic party who also didn't want a black man as their nominee. Why else would they have allowed Hillary the time to damage him.
What a wonderful night. I look forward to the days to come!
Funny you wrote that. I deleted a paragraph from my 4:30 post making that point and stressing the fact that they let this go on because they obviously wanted Hillary too. I didn't think registered democrats could handle that truth. So, I completely agree with you on the above point, Ms. Martin.
--BPM
Enough about her.
Celebrate!
"I'm not saying all black people must be all about Obama but let's face it this is a historical moment......Did Michelle reject Bob at some point?"
I agree. We don't all have to support Obama, but at what point do Clinton supporters act as though they have some class??? It isn't about Hillary... let's move on as one party. Right now we are STILL horriby divided.
I truly believe the only reason Waters changed her vote yeterday was to show a move towads unification.
**Michelle must have rejected him!
LOL. That is partly why they fear her. She will do whatever she wants without regard for the others. That is probably why they get along well with the Bushes.
--BPM
Let me share something with you that I have always known and told people.
I don't consider myself a Democrat. I don't think that Democrats give a damn about black people any more than Republicans do. They pander to blacks and throw them a few crumbs for their patronage.
The Democratic party leaders are no different than Republican party leaders. The are a large group of attorneys and elitists, they all move in the same circles and have the same dinner conversations and we know what those are.
Democrats convince the black community that they are helping them when they are really helping there own careers. Look at Ferraro, she did all that so-called work for AAs, but looked how she turned like a vicious pit pull trained to kill. Look at Clinton; her career was supposedly about helping yet she didn't even bother to recognize a historic moment in time for the AA community.
The Democrats have crippled our people over time with fake promises of love and programs that will help us, when in fact, they have made us weaker and allowed the country to look upon us as the welfare race when if you do the math, there are far more white people who receive public assistance than blacks and we have made great strides towards self sufficiency, but we carry that label thanks to the Dems.
Roland is holding it down on the radio. I need to check in on MSNBC. I changed the channel when Joe lied that last night isn't a big deal to him because he doesn't see Obama as black.
--BPM
--BPM
Change? Yes. Improve? Yes.
Perfect, even.
But 'remake'?
Slow down there young fella.
It's all over, according to AP, CNN, and CBS. And it's a familiar story for feminists. A highly educated, highly competent, incredibly bright woman (the smartest woman in the world, according to her supporters) spent years in the shadow of a less disciplined, less competent man. She supported him through thick and thin, sublimating her own ambition and career goals to support his.
Eventually, she stepped out of his shadow. She joined the world's most prestigious boys' club and proved she was as tough and competent as any of them. She decided the time was ripe for her to move up to the executive suite. She'd paid her dues — and then some. It was a promotion that she was clearly entitled to.
But then, as she was poised to assume the role for which she'd been working for decades, along came some wet-behind-the-ears, inexperienced male competitor. Compared to her, he was an intellectual lightweight with an incredibly thin resume. It should have been clear to all the decision-makers that she was the far superior candidate for the position. But he was young, handsome, charismatic — and male. He got the promotion, and she was passed over.
Another outrageous example of the gender bias that permeates our sexist society. I wonder how N.O.W. and other feminist organizations will react to this injustice.
Well, really, I don't. I'm sure their commitment to liberal/leftist ideology in general will trump any concern they have for women's rights and gender equality in particular. The "little ladies" will obediently climb aboard the Obama bandwagon. If they didn't, the men who run things would call them racists.
--BPM
Congratulations Fellow Obama Warrior !! WE DID IT !! This victory shows the true power of the people. Through everyone doing whatever they could to contribute to this historic cause, from volunteering, donating, knocking doors, blogging, info gathering and sharing, spreading the message, showing your strong support, getting other folks straight and also your prayers. It's been a 5 months like no other....but together, under the mighty inspiration of Barack Obama, we are now heading for The Re-Birth of America. GREAT JOB WARRIORS !!!!!
www.Blacks4Barack.org
All Obama news, views, photos, videos, voter registration info, volunteer info and Much More !!!!!!!!!
1 DOWN...1 TO GO !!!
Say It Loud...BARACK & I'M PROUD !!!!!
I have been hunting a replacement for Shiela Jackson Lee down since god knows how long. I like you have 2000.00 on chill the moment someone steps up and challenges her for that seat..
with that said, I cant help but laugh a little inside, as i watch the CBC who are now the clear losers from last night.
Now, they get to go back home tail between legs and explian to there CD's why they were against the Presumtive Nominee.
racism wasn't the goal or the tactic, but rather what was in their hearts (Bill and Hill).
They did not set out to use the Southern Strategy - it was used as a result of necessity, they used it after they alienated the AA community with the fairy tale, Jesse Jackson and MLK statements.
Racism is what drove those statements. The idea that a black man - unknown and unconsidered carried Iowa and showed tough in New Hampshire, it was the idea that the presumed entitled woman would win and the fact that she was not winning and was clearly losing a large part of her base that led to the outbursts that endangered her campaign.
She reacted to black power by lashing out against it and if that aint racism pure and simple, I don't know what is.
--BPM
Just a point of clarification: CBC member Artur Davis came out in support of O months ago. He's also a national co-chair of O's presidential campaign.
Look for him in Obama's cabinet.
As another poster here mentioned, you could tell that Obama finally felt like the handcuffs were off and that he could properly start smacking around the Republicans.
All I could think of when Obama spoke was that if the Republican party thinks that breaking out the ol' party favors of fear and misinformation is going to hand them an election, they have another thing coming.
Oh please! Hillary lost because she ran a HORRIBLE campaign! This had nothing to do with being a woman-it had to do with her being nasty and divisive. Not to mention, a REAL feminist doesn't have to ride the coattails of her husband. If that's an op-ed piece, it's just written to stir up women who think she's been robbed!
Good Wonderful, Awesome, Historic Morning.
I've been for Senator Obama since that speech at the Democratic convention 4 years ago. I looked at my family and said "This man is a super star, and I'm sooooooo glad he's in our party.
I can only say today, that for the first time in many, many years, I feel excited about politics.
I embrace Senator Obama and all he stands for.
There's not much I can do to get him into the White House, except continue to send him money every month, and I pledged to do that.
Congratulations to us all. On to the White House.
PS. Hillary's performance was UNgracious and selfish. Shame on her.
Of course, I won't feel really good until Obama announces his vice-presidential choice; if he is forced to pick Clinton, all will be ruined. It's a shame to have this great moment soiled by the Clintons.
By JIM KUHNHENN and BETH FOUHY, Associated Press Writers
“............Lanny Davis, a former White House special counsel under President Clinton, said he told the former first lady Tuesday that he was initiating a petition to press Obama to select her for the second spot on the ticket. He said Clinton did not encourage or discourage the step.
"If he doesn't have her, I think he can still win. With her on the ticket, he can't be beat," Davis said.
Clinton's national finance chairman, Hassan Nemazee, said he was also pushing an Obama-Clinton ticket, claiming that together they would be able to raise $200 million to $250 million for the general election.................”
What did you think about McCain's speech last night?
Not presidential.
Shenanigans.
This is the same clown who was threatening Obama.
I gotta say this...Obama can raise 200 million ON HIS OWN. He doesn't need her...for anything, including money.
SHE is at least 20 million in debt.
HE is in the black by 45 million...
And they're trying to threaten again with the money?
Puleeze.
Obama has shown that the best strategy with her is to just wait. If he waits long enough then she will say something that disqualifies her from any VP consideration . . . even though most believe she has done that already.
Sen. Clinton's deranged narcissism (I love that term) has led her to believe that only SHE controls her voters.
I'm sure Team Obama has a list of at least 5 VP candidates that can deliever everything Sen. Clinton brings without the baggage.
I liked this from Peter Wehner @ NRO:
Congratulations, Senator Obama
For a freshman senator to have achieved what Obama has is amazing. His campaign was first-rate and it, and he, made very few errors. Obama defeated a field that was vastly more experience and had many more advantages than he did. And while I have deep philosophical differences with Obama and find him a much more conventional politician than I did earlier in the year, it was very important that Team Clinton be defeated – for the sake of the Democratic party and for American politics. Whatever differences I have with Obama, he (blessedly) doesn’t practice politics like the Clintons, who made destroying those who stood between them and power a commonplace occurrence.
Barack Obama is, in my judgment, a compelling figure as well as a flawed one. And I suspect that he, more than McCain, will be the dominant figure in the election.
One other thing: it is an important and proud moment for this nation, whose besetting sin was slavery and segregation, to nominate an African American as the nominee of one of our two major political parties. Because I disagree with him on so many issues and on the philosophy that animates his politics, I very much hope Obama loses to McCain. But what Obama has achieved in this election, and with this night, is remarkable. He is a formidable figure — and he won’t be an easy person to defeat in November. "
I agree that Obama can raise the money on his own.
Re the math on most votes. I think it was Clyburn who was asked about Clinton claiming she won the most votes.....Clyburn responded that there was "new math, old math, and Clinton math."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zcD7oaU-1EA
For some odd reason, I found myself looking for an attack piece. Everything I found all referred back to Rev. Wright, the whole flag pin issues.....and all of a sudden, that type of stuff seems really trivial.
I have no words... someone finds some.
Jefferey Toobin was hilarious. Absolutely hilarious.
And, I appreciated Jesse's call from Africa.
Visibly Rattled
Yes We Can Can
Stick to your principles. Vote for what you belive in your heart and soul, not the 'symbol' you see.
Obama has achieved a major historical milestone for this country and we can all take pride in this.
My son, who will be voting for the first time, asked me who I wanted to win. I answered McCain. Why? Because I believe in limited government, low taxes and continuing support for the 'surge strategy' in Iraq.
If Obama was close to my views on ANY of these issues, I would be more than likely to vote for him. But he does not. Why do you think I wound up at this sight?
Good men and women disagree but we can all share in the history of the moment.
I think the tape is a false rumor as well. I was pissed this morning to hear them talking about it on the Lionel Show (Air America Radio).
Just a few things to consider:
1. That's a story you make sure to get ahead of if you're Obama.
You don't wait like a sitting duck if you know the tape exists. It doesn't matter when it happens, you make sure you get ahead of the story as soon as it occurs. He would be an absolute FOOL to run a campaign knowing this tape exists.
2. I'm sure the Obama campaign knows about this rumor. Just the same, I'm sure all those super delegates know about this rumor. Therefore, I'd have to believe that those super delegates addressed this issue before endorsing him.
3. If true (which I don't think it is), the tape wouldn't be fatal. It would definitely cripple his campaign. . . but I don't think it would force him to quit the race. Consider the following:
a.) Still not Obama's words. Although, admittedly, it is hard to disown one's wife.
b.) Let's not forget. . . McCain called Asians "gooks" back in 2000. Yes, "gook" is a racial slur. No, McCain was not forced out of the race.
Now, consider that the candidate, McCain, said a racial slur and was not forced out of the race. Compare that to the candidate's wife, Michelle (not Obama), allegedly saying a racial slur.
They're not on the same level. Still, we all know that the media would treat Michelle's words with much more scrutiny. Bottom line remains: Obama would be an absolute FOOL to run a campaign knowing that such a tape exists.
4. There's no way that tape stays under wraps this long. It's early June. Those rumors started in early May. We live in a YouTube era. Someone would have leaked it already.
5. If the tape is real then there'd have to be at least 2 or 3 eye witnesses that could verify. Haven't seen such people.
6. The "why'd he" explanation makes perfect sense.
I ain't mad at you. The fact that you took the time to analyze both candidates, reviewed their policies, and made your judgment based on your personal belief that you made the right choice. Then go for it.
What happened last night is a beautiful thing. We aren't there yet but we are moving forward. My kids can be anything they want to be if they work hard enough and God authorizes it. It is a beautiful thing. America is great and offers opportunities to all of us. We don't have to agree on everything but we can become open to understanding all sides. Follow your path man. If we put our fellow Americans first and work toward common goals, it is alright. Do your thing. Blessings to you and yours.
I appreciated that post from you, and I don't know about anyone else, but I don't consider you a sellout. I don't expect you, or any of the faithful over at BookerRising to vote for Obama, because you have different political principles. I wouldn't expect for you to vote for any White Democrat, so why should I expect for you to vote for a Black Democrat.
That's not being a sellout or a hater.
A hater is Bob Johnson. Tavis. Earl Ofari Hutchinson or the HHH. They should have absolutely NO problem with Obama because he's a Democrat, so it's got to be something else.
You're not a hater. You have a different political bent, that's all. I disagree with it. And, not all Black Republicans are sellouts either. It's a case by case basis. You're like shay at BookerRising; conservative principles, but self-respecting. I'm cool with that, even as we disagree.
That Youtube Republican Ad says it all.
This race was over back in February. In fact, it was over the night of the Wisconsin Primary. She should have dropped out of the race back then.
Instead, the spineless Democratic Party let Hillary serve as a walking Republican ad for 3 months.
That ad is the precise reason why Hillary will not be veep. I know about the delegates and the convention fight. But the key word is "fight." She can't do it without a fight. That's a suicide mission. . . she'd kill her political career if she tried such a stunt.
Obama needs to make sure Hillary can't pull this stunt without waging all out war on the party.
I still say: Pick a veep by late June; make all the buttons and campaign signs; campaign with that veep for 2 whole months; and FORCE Hillary to TAKE the veep spot away from a fellow Democrat. Play a little hardball.
And maybe, by then, I’ll be able to tell them why I didn’t…and not feel guilty about it.
::
And maybe by then, you'll support him and I won't.
People change.
Thanks for sharing, d.
AIPAC couldn't applaud enough.
That address was an improvement over the one he gave in Florida.
And that's saying something.
Racist thought is why Hillary and her crew felt the white people of Iowa wouldn't vote for a black man and didn't plan for what would happen if he did win.
Racist thought is why she and Bill went out of their way to remind America, "Hey! This dude is black! You're not supposed to be voting for him!"
Racist thought is why, since February, Hillary has been acting like she's the winner and Obama is the runner up who, if he plays nice, can maybe be HER VP.
Racist thought is why she revved up "hard working white Americans" and encouraged the meme that Latinos would NEVER vote for a black man.
That is what's in her. You didn't see Chris Dodd, Joe Biden or John Edwards making appeals to voters based on race or gender.
And then you see hanky heads like Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Bob Johnson still urging blacks to jump on the Clinton Death Train.
Well, the cure for Bob Johnson is to sic his ex-wife Sheila on him, she has her little billion dollars and is an Obama supporter to boot.
Did anyone notice it? I loved the colour, the fit and the belt. She was working it!
Lift Every Voice and Sing!
Her face cracked.
In other words...
Limited Government your azz!!!
But go ahead, prostitute principles for party, talking points for points of honesty and reality based decisions.
Barack Obama should not pick Hillary Clinton as his vice-presidential nominee, former president Jimmy Carter has told the Guardian.
"I think it would be the worst mistake that could be made," said Carter. "That would just accumulate the negative aspects of both candidates."
WSJ: Clinton Used Expletive In 'Unpleasant' Conversation With Clyburn
Michelle and her stylist are WORKING IT.
That picture is going to look FABULOUS ON THE COVER OF NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE WORLD.
I learned my lesson from the orange dress she had on in North Carolina - I didn't think it looked well on tv.
Well, the next day, in picture after picture on newspapers, I saw WHY she wore it. It looked great.
Maybe you didn't but I sure did, many times: every stump speech of his I watched, too many debates to count.
--BPM
--BPM
I remember that show being particularly anti-Obama and all of its panelists (except blondie who was pro-romney) shilling for Hillary but that was months ago so who knows what's up now.
BPM
The fallout continues.
From the HuffPo, Clinton supporter, Hillary Rosen, says enough is enough. . .
I Am Not a Bargaining Chip, I Am a Democrat
Thank goodness that Carter is free to say what everyone else dances around, that Hillary as VP is the absolute worst thing that could happen.
Whoopie Goldberg and Joy Behar were the most vocal.
Barbara took a straw poll to see who thought Obama should make Hillary his veep. Nobody thought it was a good idea.
When asked why, Sherri thought Hillary is too divisive.
Whoopie said it was Hillary's speech from last night that did it for her.
She didn't like the fact that Hillary wouldn't start the healing process by conceding or even recognizing the historic occassion.
She said that, for the first time, she saw Hillary's candidacy as being all about her and not about the country. In her words, "It pissed me off."
Whoopie said Hillary wouldn't make a good veep, not because she's unqualified, but because she's not a team player.
Joy had the same feeling and even expressed shock at the fact that Whoopie was just beginning to see Hillary's selfish ways. She said that Hillary and Bill have become a "two-headed monster" over the past few months and that Obama doesn't need to deal with that when he's President.
The only person defending Hillary on that issue was Elizabeth. But even she thought the dream ticket wasn't a great idea.
It wasn't over-the-top, but it was a strong enough criticism to probably earn Whoopie and Joy a spot on Hillary's sh*t list. I don't think the pro-Hillary audience liked what they heard (they were pretty quiet).
..., Clinton wants to be offered the veep spot...so she can turn it down. And she doesn't want him to offer it to another woman because she has set herself up as 'The Woman' in the party and doesn't want someone else to steal that thunder.
Jesus take the wheel... this is really ridiculous if it is true. But... I would never put it past her.
I thought it utterly disrespectful that on the morning after the biggest story, The View began by talking about Barbara and Joy's diet gossip.
Whoopi the moderator, was about to broach the subject and she allowed her attempt to be co-opted by Barbara's vacuous story. We can always count on Whoopi to be deferential to lesser things.
Whoopi is a wholly ineffectual moderator; failing to sufficiently focus and complete a sentence without being thrown off by an intellectual lightweight like Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
The View does nothing for the image of women as serious, sober, appropriate equals. At no point did any of them say congratulations to Obama or speak to the historical relevance of the nomination...though Sherry tried and was essentially shut down by the skeletal Barbara Walters.
Barbara, she who fucked a black man and was thought delightully dangerous for doing so.
I am very angry about this, can you tell?
"She said that, for the first time, she saw Hillary's candidacy as being all about her and not about the country."
Good heavens! Either Whoopi is dumb, a zombie, or walking around with scales over her eyes.
"Barbara, she who fucked a black man and was thought delightully dangerous for doing so."
LMAO!
--BPM
thanks for the url to the Fineman article. Here is the bomb:
The Clinton forces also have another wish: whomever Obama ends up choosing, he not pick another woman, even after the kabuki ends. "Hillary's supporters, and Hillary herself, can't stand the idea that he would pick another woman," said another source who is personally close to the Clintons. Now, that is what they call chutzpah!
Do you hear that Fairweather Feminists??? Hillary doesn't want the VP spot herself, but she and her supporters don't want another WOMAN to have the VP spot either!
Rice is the top-ranking African American in the Bush administration and has often spoken about the struggles of fellow black citizens who were subjected to slavery or segregation for much of U.S. history.
She has been mentioned as a potential running-mate for Republican John McCain but has repeatedly said she is not interested.
Obama, a Democrat, is the first African American to be nominated by one of the major parties for the White House.
"It's a country that has overcome many, many, now years, decades of, actually a couple of centuries, of trying to make good on its principles," Rice said.
"And I think that what we're seeing is, an extraordinary expression of the fact that 'we the people,' is beginning to mean all of us,"
I don't believe it for a second. That story is the most ridiculous theory offered. Was fineman one of those who claimed Obama had 50 superdels to trott out after Ohio?
If you don't want VP, you definitely don't fight for it. She has got some game but turning down VP is not it. If she really didn't want it, she would release the foundation and library donors list so scandal could rule her out. She needs to stop wasting our dam time and let us see how much some of this fatcats paid for their pardons. LOL
--BPM
What she is doing now is a new phase: undermining Barack. She is moving into offensive psychological operations in which I think she is expert. How else could she keep Bill married while it is clear his dick wants to go elsewhere.
I marvel at the inability of her more prominent supporters to sense danger. I wonder if that deficiency makes them more vulnerable to con-men and serial killers. Or, do they think we're stupid. I am certainly happy they are not in charge of my personal safety.
I am very very angry.
http://sableverity.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/clintons-cuss-out-clyburn-for-support-of-barack-obamarama/
" How else could she keep Bill married while it is clear his dick wants to go elsewhere.
-----------------------------------
You know you're wrong but that's too damn funny!
ahahahahahahahahaha
ahahahahahahahahaha
Ms. Martin & BPM, the person I know who is on the outter regions of O's campaign said the same thing. He said,"Many of the superdelegates aren't comfortable with a Black candidate."
Cnn headline news showed a soundbite today showing a naval aircraft carrier. The story was that Myanmar refused the shipment of humanitarian aid because they don't want the USA to invade them and take their oil reserves. Dang. Wow.
I think O gave a good speech to the pro Isreal PAC. I'll have to admit that I'm not up on the demands of Isreal, so I'm not sure what would be pro or con for them. I don't like to think that any of our politicians would put the interests of Isreal above our national interests, but it also seems like their lobby is so strong that it can make or break political careers. I'm generally supportive of Isreal, but they don't need to be picking our presidents.
Finally,Jenny-girlfriend of Jim Carey is holding a rally to promote green vaccinations. If any of you all are chemists, that would be a good thing to try to develop. My kids haven't had any vaccinations. They enjoy robust health and are seldom sick. I really don't understand why any medical professional would advocate the vaccination of a newborn baby. That defies logic to me. The gov. has a billion$ fund to pay vaccine victims. Did you know?
An extra thought - as odious as it is, Obama needs to start reaching out to Hillary's base of white middle-aged women, as vindictive, dismissive and bitter as many of them have been.
Any ideas on what would be a good way to do this? Personally I think he needs to play up his mother and granny more - a LOT MORE. From all accounts his mum was an incredible woman - gutsy, hard-working and open-minded. His grandmother is the same and a feminist trailblazer all on her own. Michelle is another tough nut - she basically was the major income earner in their household until his most recent bestseller a few years ago.
Obama needs to emphasise that not only does he have no issues with strong women, he LOVES him some strong women. That is who he has been surrounded about his whole life and who have made him who he is.
I dunno...maybe a gender version of his race speech? What says you jack and jill massive? :)
That talk about changing the rules was started by Camp Crazy while they were trying to deligitimize Obama's win.
illary is only able to do what she is doing because she has the support of some members of the Democratic party. As we all know, had this been Barack they would have run his ass out of town.
Truthseeker,
I'm gonna take my lead from Chris Rock. . . To be honest, I never heard of a super delegate until a black man became the frontrunner.
Did you ever hear about super delegates until Obama pulled off the upset in Iowa???
Think about it. There are probably dozens of arcane rules that both parties could use in theory, but never use in practice. Super delegates seems like one of them. When was the last time they played such a major role?
This was also the first time I've ever heard that you couldn't ask a candidate to drop out of the race once the math wasn't in their favor.
For some reason, we were supposed to treat Hillary different than John Edwards, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and every other candidate who dropped out for the good of the party.
If they are secretly racist, there is nothing Obama can or should do about that. If they are personally embarrassed by Hillary's poor performace, then the mere sight of whiz kid Obama is a slap in the face.
Perhaps he has to give them the opportunity to vent. My instincts are against it, because he's running for President, not best-friends-forever. But the angry people can say how they really feel then move onto the issues that underlie their dissatisfaction.
But right now, I really don't give a damn.
I'll be ready to kick some tail in the name of change tomorrow.
Realistically, she would get a deal that she wants AND STILL NOT KEEP HER END OF THE BARGAIN. What has led any of us to believe that she is going to keep her word? She is not going to do a 180 and start casmpaigning for O, even if it's whats best for the party.
I KNOW billy didn't use the N word to Clyburn. No way!!!
Poor McBush. They are playing clips from his speech last night and he looks so pathetic. How humiliating.
« With primaries over, challenges are clear for Barack Obama | Main | Coincidence? Vanity Fair line on Bill Clinton an old one about Teddy Roosevelt »
Is Barack Obama priming Hillary Clinton for healthcare reform role?
Early on in his speech last night claiming the Democratic presidential nomination, Barack Obama offered praise for Hillary Clinton, which can be viewed as either a gracious or cynical overture to her angry supporters (many of whom have commented here).
But Obama also mentioned something that almost sounded like an offer. He said: "You can rest assured that when we finally win the battle for universal healthcare in this country, and we will win that fight, she will be central to that victory."
Of course, Clinton's history with healthcare reform has not exactly been successful. But Obama's careful wording -- and he is usually very careful in his wording in prepared speeches -- left the impression that he's considering asking Clinton to play a lead role in healthcare reform. Or maybe just be the anchor point in the Senate. Of course, that would be moot if John McCain wins in the fall, but given how much the issue means to Clinton, letting her steer the fight on that issue could be Obama's answer to a pressing question: What to do about Clinton?
And that's the kind of role Clinton could also play as a vice president, much like Bill Clinton assigned Al Gore to streamline the federal bureaucracy.
-- Scott Martelle
__________________________
I keep thinking of that line in the Color Purple:
[Celie to Mister] Till you do right by me everything you think about will fail. Til you right by me, everything you touch, will die.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/04/AR2008060402360.html
Feels weird, but good.
And let's see, HRC won't concede, endorse or release her delegates because she thinks she can force Barack to declare her his co-presidential nominee? I can't think of anything bad enough to say about her.
“Leaders don’t hide from history, they make history,”
I believe Barack made history last night.
From the moment that I heard about this idea, what, 6 weeks ago, I thought it was a great idea.
I think one of Obama's biggest hurdles, is the one with people who just think he's too inexperienced.
One of the best things that happened to Obama was when Edwards dropped out, and he went mano-a-mano with Hillpatine and didn't wither on the vine. Nobody muddying the waters meant that they could look and see and ACCEPT him as Commander-in-Chief.
See, him being on stage with McCain -...IMO, he doesn't even have to beat McCain. He just has to work it to a DRAW. A DRAW, I believe, would win over those independents, because it would take away McCain's ONE true advantage -I admit folks are more secure in the thought of McCain being Commander-in-Chief.
And, if they made sure that they went around the country?
One in rural America
One in urban America
North
South
I think it couldn't be anything but positive, IMO.
But, HELL NO TO ANY MEDIA MODERATORS.
Choose a local professor. The league of women voters. But, leave the media out of it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/04/lieberman-carries-mccains_n_105179.html
Excerpt
Furthermore, during a Senate vote Wednesday, Obama dragged Lieberman by the hand to a far corner of the Senate chamber and engaged in what appeared to reporters in the gallery as an intense, three-minute conversation.
While it was unclear what the two were discussing, the body language suggested that Obama was trying to convince Lieberman of something and his stance appeared slightly intimidating.
Using forceful, but not angry, hand gestures, Obama literally backed up Lieberman against the wall, leaned in very close at times, and appeared to be trying to dominate the conversation, as the two talked over each other in a few instances.
Rikyrah,
I agree no media moderators. They don't have sufficient expertise in Government, economics or policy to ask pertinent questions, understand the answers and pose follow up questions.
You know, it is insane when you think the corporate media has been framing the presidential debates all along.
I saw the headline at Huffington but didn't read the story...I would kill to know what that conversation was about!
Ha..they think Obama's a punk. They better be careful.
NY Times Article:
http://nytimes.com/?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx;=1212622018-eDhqdW/FoxDa3AkiLhO1IQ
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/us/politics/04cnd-campaign.html?_r=1&hp;&oref;=slogin
Excerpt:
“We pledged to support her to the end,” said Representative Charles W. Rangel, a New York Democrat who has been a patron of Mrs. Clinton since she first ran for the Senate. “Our problem is not being able to determine when the hell the end is.”