Video: Yes We Can
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Here is Barack's speech from Nashua -- Yes We Can...
Full text of the speech...
I want to congratulate Senator Clinton on a hard-fought victory here
in New Hampshire.
A few weeks ago, no one imagined that we'd have accomplished what we
did here tonight. For most of this campaign, we were far behind, and
we always knew our climb would be steep.
But in record numbers, you came out and spoke up for change. And with
your voices and your votes, you made it clear that at this moment - in
this election - there is something happening in America.
There is something happening when men and women in Des Moines and
Davenport; in Lebanon and Concord come out in the snows of January to
wait in lines that stretch block after block because they believe in
what this country can be.
There is something happening when Americans who are young in age and
in spirit - who have never before participated in politics - turn out
in numbers we've never seen because they know in their hearts that
this time must be different.
There is something happening when people vote not just for the party
they belong to but the hopes they hold in common - that whether we are
rich or poor; black or white; Latino or Asian; whether we hail from
Iowa or New Hampshire, Nevada or South Carolina, we are ready to take
this country in a fundamentally new direction. That is what's
happening in America right now. Change is what's happening in
America.
You can be the new majority who can lead this nation out of a long
political darkness - Democrats, Independents and Republicans who are
tired of the division and distraction that has clouded Washington; who
know that we can disagree without being disagreeable; who understand
that if we mobilize our voices to challenge the money and influence
that's stood in our way and challenge ourselves to reach for something
better, there's no problem we can't solve - no destiny we cannot
fulfill.
Our new American majority can end the outrage of unaffordable,
unavailable health care in our time. We can bring doctors and
patients; workers and businesses, Democrats and Republicans together;
and we can tell the drug and insurance industry that while they'll get
a seat at the table, they don't get to buy every chair. Not this
time. Not now.
Our new majority can end the tax breaks for corporations that ship our
jobs overseas and put a middle-class tax cut into the pockets of the
working Americans who deserve it.
We can stop sending our children to schools with corridors of shame
and start putting them on a pathway to success. We can stop talking
about how great teachers are and start rewarding them for their
greatness. We can do this with our new majority.
We can harness the ingenuity of farmers and scientists; citizens and
entrepreneurs to free this nation from the tyranny of oil and save our
planet from a point of no return.
And when I am President, we will end this war in Iraq and bring our
troops home; we will finish the job against al Qaeda in Afghanistan;
we will care for our veterans; we will restore our moral standing in
the world; and we will never use 9/11 as a way to scare up votes,
because it is not a tactic to win an election, it is a challenge that
should unite America and the world against the common threats of the
twenty-first century: terrorism and nuclear weapons; climate change
and poverty; genocide and disease.
All of the candidates in this race share these goals. All have good
ideas. And all are patriots who serve this country honorably.
But the reason our campaign has always been different is because it's
not just about what I will do as President, it's also about what you,
the people who love this country, can do to change it.
That's why tonight belongs to you. It belongs to the organizers and
the volunteers and the staff who believed in our improbable journey
and rallied so many others to join.
We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no
matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can withstand the
power of millions of voices calling for change.
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will
only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We've been
asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against
offering the people of this nation false hope.
But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been
anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible
odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't
try, or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a
simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people.
Yes we can.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the
destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail
toward freedom through the darkest of nights.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and
pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the
ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and
prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this
world. Yes we can.
And so tomorrow, as we take this campaign South and West; as we learn
that the struggles of the textile worker in Spartanburg are not so
different than the plight of the dishwasher in Las Vegas; that the
hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are
the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we
will remember that there is something happening in America; that we
are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people;
we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter
in America's story with three words that will ring from coast to
coast; from sea to shining sea - Yes. We. Can.
Thank you, Senator Obama, Michelle and all the wonderful people in NH.
This speech is so powerful, words do matter, leadership with conviction and inspiration do matter!
You beat me Deborah... I though this time I was the first ;(
Remember to stay positive. As soon as we go negative, we lose our reason to fight.
xx
Polls skew things, perceptions, votes, no doubt about it, but can they account for that many % points indicating Senator's Obama's lead that seemed to evaporate? The electoral system needs to be legalized! As in reformed:
All the primaries can be held in 4 days, each section of the country, everyone from each section voting at once. NH voters displayed so much mis-dis information, so much prejudice, (voter interviews on local NH news) and so much sappy thinking, apparently aging female boomers--never the brightest bulbs to begin with, voting for a tear and cognitive dissonance, (saying one thing, while doing another, as in "I just don't want the country to fall back," while trying through slander and libel, accusations and hysteria to take the country back in time...)
NH and IOWA voters should lose their right to be so influential.
1.Public financing of campaigns, (no lobbyists, PACS, private donations, bundling, fundraisers) 2.Abolition by amendment of the Electoral College (so that every state and every vote counts) It is no longer the Founders' world. 3.Uniform 50-state voting machines that produce a receipt for every vote ...ATM's can do it!).
The primary season has gotten ridiculous and needs a redo: rethought and re-legislated. (Good Luck, right?) Get rid of Iowa Caucuses and NH primary. Make it illegal to publish polls three days before an election, any election.
Focus on what's next and what you are going to do about it.
..and so much sappy thinking, apparently aging female boomers--never the brightest bulbs to begin with, voting for a tear...
Wow. That is one offensive comment!
Ageist and sexist.
I agree with Barack when he says we don't need more heat, we need more light.
If we truly support Barack Obama, then it's important to show some class and style as we work to get him elected. Your comments above did nothing to further that effort.
In an emotional journey of political relevance and personal resonance, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama travels to his ancestral homeland -- Africa -- to rediscover his roots and underscore the myriad issues facing the continent. Before completing his odyssey in Kisumu, Kenya, the town where his father once lived, Obama makes stops at a Darfur refugee camp and South Africa's Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 21 years.
this can be used at house parties, I rented it from
Netflix!
Ghandi said we should be the change we want to see in the world. If we want positive, we need to be positive.
Let's go change the world! Yes we can!
Focus on what's next and what you are going to do about it.
Something definitely went wrong.It is left for Obama campaign to figure it out otherwise the trend might continue.
I think a problem equal to this is campaign reform. In our great society, where almost every citizen has a television, why do our candidates even need to spend millions of dollars to campaign? I understand that currently, you have to in order to compete. But it shouldn't be that way. If all of the news stations held open debates with all the candidates - debates within party - debates including all the candidates from all parties - it would be a lot more fair. I agree with candidates traveling and being able to get one on one with voters, but there has to be a better way. TV and radio ads should be done away with and all candidates should get equal press exposure. Then candidates would have to have substance to come to the table at all. There's no bs-ing that.
As Barack has said, this is a bottom-up campaign. The difference will be made by individuals talking to their friends, neighbors, associates, and strangers. The media and TV advertising will not make the real difference for us. We must do it ourselves.
THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF:
When somebody mentions the presidential race, have you told them who you are supporting?
Have you convinced your whole family to support Barack? If not, why not?
Do your friends know who you are supporting and why? If not, why not?
Are you going to a rally when he is in town? Even if it is "inconvenient"? Who are you committed to taking with you?
Can you tell someone in 100 words or less why you support Barack? Do you know what he stands for? Have you read his policy statements and listened to his speeches? Do you need to do it again?
Are you "for" Barack - or just "against" Hillary?
Are you in it for the long haul because you believe in the man and the cause? Or do you just want to back a "winner"?
When Barack comes in second, are you looking for excuses? Or are you looking for "what can we do next to succeed"?
Do you speak up when somebody says "the country isn't ready for a black president - or a woman president"?
Are you willing to challenge stereotypes and prejudices in all forms? Have you challenged your own bias?
Are you looking at each primary like it's a "sport" to be tallied in a win/loss column? Or are you focused on building delegates one by one until the convention?
Do you understand what Barack means by "the fierce urgency of now"?
Are you looking forward? Or looking back?
Are you "enrolled" in the cause? Or are you just a spectator?
I have challenged myself with these questions. I am challenging you, also.
Folks. It's time to throw your hat over the wall. You will have no choice but to go get it.
Also, I got so tired of the Clintons whining about this and that - young voters coming back to Iowa, New Hampshire was too early to give Hillary a chance to rebound, etc. And it's one reason I'm so disappointed we lost. Barack is just a class act and they are not. But, we should not stoop to that mind set. It gains nothing and it will just distract us.
Eye on the prize!
YES.WE.CAN.
Some of us aging baby boomer women are smart enough to see through smear tactics and distortions. I think the Obama campaign needs to be very careful about going on the offensive though.
I know that Obama had MORE women under age 60 in Iowa than Clinton, and followed closely behind Hillary in this demographic in N.H. It's not fair that you were lumped in with a stereotype. Know that many of us respect our parents' (mine are late 50s) political judgement. Also, voters from every demographic voted differently. We can't say "well if the women just got it right we'd be okay." We need to think about uniting not dividing.
We were proud of you tonight, Barack.
Sundar, Sydney, Australia
I hope that in the end Obama's ''niceness'' and strategy of fighting a clean and positive fight will reap the reward he so deserves . The rest of the world needs him to win too and if you guys don't want him he can come and be our Prime Minister as he is far better than the dross we have here !!
It is exactly because Obama would never make such a remark as Connie did about "aging female boomers" that he has my support.
As a female who is the same age as Barack Obama, I must be an aging female boomer too, but I prefer to focus on his message of hope intead of on divisive negative comments.
It is the believe that makes the difference, you have to believe you can take back your country, for your future and for the sake of the world.
With inner spirit of optimism, have faith. Refuse to give up this incredible momement of opportunity to take back your country.
Stay focused on the challenges ahead, stay focused on the significance of what you have proven you can achieve.
Just keep going, keep your nerve and together the world knows, you can achieve the change for the better that America needs.
The world is proud of what you have shown is possible.
Grab this oppoutunity with resolute hands. Keep the BOmentum!
Anthony Agoro, London England, Britain
I believe in Obama because I have read his book, Audacity of Hope, and I like what he has to say. After all, what else can we believe other than what we see and hear. Experience, BAH! Just because a doctor has a lot of experience doesn't make him the best doctor. I prefer a young doctor with new ideas and fresh education over experience any day!
But there were some who probably bought the "feminist" argument that they should vote for a woman. We need to tell them to vote for the candidate who will truly make women's lives better.
I believe Hillary is a fake and a fraud and that Hillary and Bill will do anything to get back into the Whitehouse for another 8 years.
PEOPLE! We Do Not Need A Dynasty Family in America. Bush, Clinton, Bush Clinton. PLEASE! Let us work together to prevent this from HAPPENING.
Hillary Clinton - 6 years in the Senate (junior senator), Partner of law firm in Little Rock 10+ years, Staff Congressional Attorney for one year. First Lady of Arkansas and of United States.
Barack Obama - 3 years in the Senate (junior senator) + 7 years in Illinois State Senate, taught constitutional law at U of Chicago law school while in State Senate, President of Harvard Law Review (first African American in 104 year history), Civil Rights attorney.
He has more public service experience than her as a matter of fact. I'd say this do to the fact that he was always in a postion to influence and actually take part in policy making. Mrs. Clinton has had less experience in doing so.
------------------------------ --
I've never had much against Hillary but these past few days have filled me with so much more pride in my choice to vote for Obama. He is a true leader, crosses party lines and inspires those who take the time to listen to what he has to say. I have never seen him stoop to dirty tactics or pander to anyone or played any card that he may be able to pull out of his pocket. He is straight-forward and will be the best person to lead our nation to redeem our status around the world as being the greatest nation. Thank God he is still leading in delegates and that people haven't bowed down to the media idea that the first two states will determine for the rest of the country who the party nominee will be.
I will stand with BARACK always. Yes, we can.
I always believe we can do it and know this is NOT going to be easy. Obama always say producing a FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE is NEVER easy.
But we CAN do it, because of we're in this together and because people like you giving us encouragement when we need it.
THANK YOU!!
I'm switching to Independent too if Hillary gets the nomination. They are a disgrace. They are disrespecting the legacy of Dr. King, John F. Kennedy and anybody else they can throw under a bus, for what? A vote?
To subvert the constitution and give Bill a 3rd term?
It is not their house. It is our house. And because of their actions not just in New Hampshire--but the madrassa stories, the dealing stories, the fairy tale talk, the tears with talking points--they cannot and will not stay in our house. I can't believe I voted for them twice.
Now I see their true colors, their primary colors. It's Obama or nothing.
Change is possible!
Link
My guess is that there were many people Hillary voters who were not from NH who were told to come in and vote, and just say they were thinking of moving to NH so that Hillary would win. Everybody, my daughter told me, is talking about where these people were from. Who were they?
Something very dirty went on in that election
I understand its hard to brag about your accomplishments but our chief rival has claimed that she has experience since the age of 25 (1973 to be exact). At the very minimum the campaign should point out Barack HAS HELD ELECTED OFFICE LONGER THAN HER!! Good luck to all, and keep ya head up.
People! We need to help Barack Obama to win this election; I truly believe he would be one of the best presidents the united states have ever had. He would not only be good for the USA but also the world.
I've just written the same on my blog
And the Answers Centre - I do hope the staff expand that section. Right now if you enter 'experience' you jhust disvover Senator Obama's been elected for 10 years. Thatuis good, but he had done so much as well at that, and achieved so many great things in that time. Articles like this are what we need to get the public noticing:
amazing article about what political and organising work Obama was doing even back in 1995 - Link
Awesome article about his experience passing difficult law in Illinois, requiring huge bilateral negotiating:
Link
Let's get to work!
Obama '08
This campaign is about US, it's ALWAYS been about US and our hard work to take back our government. As Barack said, HOPE is not about just "hoping" things will change, but by working together--STANDING UP--to get it done.
February 5th in particular will be HUGE, so let's all get to work -- canvas, phone bank, donate...anything you can do, do it now!
We have to continue to fight not only for Obama but for our FUTURE.
Obama is starting a new message (because everyone is already using the message that he started with--"change"). Obama wants YOU to get involved in politics.
Not just in voting, he wants YOU involved AFTER the election. The man is a genius! He wants US to join him in pressuring Washington to pass reforms on healthcare coverage, education and more. He can get it done. He can mobilize the American people to be involved in the laws that are made. There is no one else right now who can mobilize and inspire people more than Barack Obama.
We have to tell the country about this new message and we have to do it quickly! Press the action button on the website and sign up for the nation phone bank team.
Let's keep the momentum moving! Less than 1% of America has spoken. There are a lot of voices that must be heard!
Ifeanyi Aneke
Lagos, Nigeria
I prayed for someone like Obama to come along. I trust that he is an answer to a prayer that will come true.
BTW: Hillary may steal Obama's rhetoric, but no tears from her will make me forget that he was saying - and meaning - these ideas first!
MJ
Link
"Clinton would not have beat Obama without the aid of Diebold voting machines. In precincts where electronic voting machines were used, Clinton got a 7% swing over Obama, having gained 5% in comparison to hand-counted ballots and Obama losing 2%."
Link
If you helped in starting this war in Iraq through your vote in woshington, you were wrong when it counted the most. That is your expirience. If you have been part of the fights that divided this country and woshington and helped deny the people well intended bills like good health care for everyone, you were wrong when it counted the most. That is your expirience. If you have more favours to give to special interests and lobbyists in woshington because they are fighting for you in this campaign; you are wrong when it counts the most. That is your expirience. If you believe in the bush foreign policy of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, you are wrong when it counts the most. That is your expirience. If you are scared to say or do the right thing even when it's unpopular, as a leader, you are wrong.
Expirience is like a real view mirror and while it shows us where you have been, it can't and shouldn't be used to tell us where we are going without good judgement; we can't look back to the future if we have to go forward to the future. We need a new leader with the right judgement, and the right expirience; a leader who will inspire us to unite for a common cause; who will do the right things when they count the most rather than do the wrong things and look for a chance to fix everything later. We have seen the cost of a broken system in blood, and poverty and in many other ways that we can't and shouldn't be scared of a new day. A better day. We need to know that Yes. we. can. If we have the courage to change. Obama 08.
PS. Just keeping this post alive till the compaign sees it and maybe uses it in the message. I will be posting more and more as the Clinton machine attacks. We are ready for change.
POLLS CAN HURT. BUT FOOL ME ONCE...
______________
On the eve of the NH primary, Barack delivered a message: “Do not take this race for granted.” It was a prescient warning. Polls might have indeed demotivated numerous NH voters, a number of independent voters telling themselves "it's already an Obama landslide, I'd better focus on McCain", or some democrats thinking "it's already an Obama landslide, no need to kneecap Hillary..."
To a certain extent, NH is a chance, cause it gives us a crucial warning: overconfidence kills. Better now than on Super Tuesday!!! When mentionning overconfidence, I am certainly NOT pointing at the fabulous energy that NH volunteers have shown and we should THANK THEM SO MUCH FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE!!! I'm only refering to the individual voters confidence thinking the game is already played and their vote is not crucially needed.
IOWA was a FANTASTIC VICTORY because POLLS ANNOUNCED A TIGHT RACE!
NH was lost because POLLS SAID IT'S ALREADY DONE.
Lucky we are that this happens now, BEFORE TSUNAMI TUESDAY!!!
Let's be more determined than ever!!! YES WE CAN!!! AND YES WE WILL!!!
Let's STAY POSITIVE!!! And let's FIGHT!!!
and don't allow smear campaign directed at our candidate to go unanswered! Like Barack said, let's "RESPOND DIRECTLY AND FORCEFULLY WITH THE TRUTH!".
JOIN US HERE: Link
AND DONATE TONIGHT!!!
NOT TOMORROW, TONIGHT!!!
SEND THIS POWERFUL MESSAGE TO THE CAMPAIGN: WE'RE MORE DETERMINED THAN EVER!!!
DONATE NOW!!!
Link
FOR A 'FACT-CHECH' BUTTON ON THE FRONT PAGE
___________________
"I want to campaign the same way I govern, which is to respond directly and forcefully with the truth"
Barack OBAMA
READ MORE: Link
More than 140 of you (and still counting...) are already supporting the initiative. Some said that they were able to confirm their vote for Barack only after having gone to the fact-check page (read that below!!!):
A from Holyoke, MA
Ali Alavi
AMIGO
Andre
Andrew F
Attuned
Aunt Becky
Bien-Aime
Bluecat
Bonnie
Candy from Ojai, CA
Carol from Petersburg, IL
Citizenforbarackobama
CK
Cole from Republic, MO
Daisy from Oakland, CA
Dave
David D
DB from Charlottesville, VA
Diamond *IrishAmericansForObama*
DianaKay
Drew from Tacoma, WA
Edgar
Edmund Dantes
Elaine
Eric
Eric from Cambodia
Erin Leigh
Ethel
Femi
Femi from Baltimore, MD
Fred from Tacoma, WA
Genene
Hannah Banks
Heartfohio
Hyacinth from Brooklin, NH
IA for Obama
Idaho Tom
ImanOBAMAmama
Jackson in Minnesota
James from Maryville, MO
Jamie from Mineapolis
Jasiyah A
Jean
JediMasterMatt
Jeremy Aldridge
Jimmie from Dayton
Joel from Oakland, CA
Jon
JonnieRae
JoshB
Julia from Chicago
Julio Bats
Kathleen from West Roxbury, MA
Katie from Oakland, CA
KB
Kendy from The Netherlands
Kenya4Love
Kerri from PA
Kerry
Kevin Curran
Kkbmom
Laura from Rochester
Laura Michelle Marcy-Ringhiser
Laurie & Theresa
Linda
Lori in WI
Lucia, Team Coordinator for OBAMAWOOD
Lucy
Luevonia from Anderson, SC
Luis
Lydia
M4me08
M4rk0 from Chicago
Margot
Maria
Maria
Marie from Gaithersbourg, MD
Mary Lou
Matt Schmidt
Matthew from California
Maurice from Larchmont, NY
Meghan
Michele B
Michelle from Cincy
Mike Telesky
Mom2lnb
Mr. Bill
Mr. PC
MsCiara
Muriema
Nicole
Noah from Ithaca, NY
Noah Santorello
Obamasupporter
Oluwafemi from Baltimore, MD
Patricia Langhurst
Patty
Pete
Peter from Switzerland
Phillip in OK
POR
Rita R. from Florida
Roland from Atlanta, GA
Roxanne from Bowie
RyanFromRichmond
Sally
Sheridan from Hearne, TX
Slavica
Speechteach in IL
Stacy M. in AZ
SteveAZ
Susan - WA State
Susan in Denver
SWZR
Tairea
Tamara from Denton, TX
Tammy
TCP (Tim Prudhel)
Tenaya from Fairfax for Obama
Tess Murray
The Rev. Austin K. Rios
Tim from Iowa
Tolerance
Tom from Eastlake, OH
TRUTH AND HOPE
UgandanJoe_UK
Vanessa from GA
Wazolangu
Whit
William from Chicago IL
Yao from Chicago, IL
Yesterday gone
YoungforObama
...and many more coming!
JOIN US: Link
______________________
THANK YOU WEBSITE TEAM!!!
THANKS FOR THIS WONDERFUL WEBSITE!!!
AND THANK YOU FOR THIS 'FACT-CHECK' LINK!!!
______________________
Hey everyone!
If anyone you happen to come across people puzzled by one of the numerous unfair attacks and smear campaign intensifying, the most recent being on Barack's "pro-choice" records, you've got all ammunition to re-establish the TRUTH there:
In the MAIN MENU, anywhere in the website,
click on 'LEARN'
then select 'FactCheck'
Thanks again to the website team!
YES WE CAN!!!!
And, hey, you forgot to put me on that list, lol.
This is proof that Obama and his staff listen and respond to the people - another reason to vote for him!
WWOD: What Would Obama Do?
Hillary and Bill need an integrity check button.
Obama- please push that button early and often.
They denigrated MLK and his impact on our nation in their quest for New Hampshire. They are playing the gender card. The tears over the possibility of your presidency. The mailers that accuse you of being "soft" on pro-choice matters. The refusal to release her white house documents. On and on...
She must be challenged and confronted with the truth, with your record, with her and her husbands long and sordid political history. Explain that you have held elected office longer than Hillary. Ask for proof of her activities as First Lady.
You remain in integrity if you speak truth to power and forcefully so. You remain in integrity if you cut off John Edwards to forcefully respond with the TRUTH in a debate.
Now is the time to be specific about your own achievements, specific about her factual and demonstratable lies, distortions and low ball politics. It is time to ask her the HARD questions about her "experience" and stand up forcefully, truthfully and eloquently for yourself and this nation. Positive does not mean soft. Do not let these cynical, political Clintons play you. Make public the outragous statements made this week- force her to defend them. My two cents.
OBAMA 08!!!!!!!!!!!
In the meantime, all, if you have a moment, vote in this MSNBC poll; the results could influence how they cover the stories as it's not just the usual.
Link
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I couldn't have said it better. Not only did the Clintons play the gender card they also played the race card but did it in a very subliminal way. He (Bill Clinton) referred to Senator Obama as a "kid" one breath away from calling him a "boy". He has demonstrated in this campaign his true color. I really hate to go there but I believe in calling a spade a spade. He has totally forgotten he was the President of this country and the same things he has attacked Senator Obama on are the very qualities that got him elected such as his ability to charm people and his ability to speak so eloquently. I am very turned off by the Clintons in the way they have behaved. I agree it is time for Senator Obama to put their feet to the fire. Americans want someone who can reach across the aisle and abroad. Based on what we know, Hillary doesn't have what it takes to do this.
The Clintons will pull all the stops to revisit the White House. I believe everything we witnessed from Hillary Clinton these past few days were staged to the max. She has been known to pay folk to ask certain questions to ensure she is prepared for the right response. The so- called "emotional moment" she displayed was a hoax and very calculated. The media played on it. She had to win in NH to stay in the game financially. I wouldn't be surprised at all if we later discover the whole process was rigged and someone got paid to cheat. My gut feeling tells me Senator Obama was robbed.
He definitely has to show some backbone going forward. Remember when John Kerry ran against George Bush no one really new what he stood for or rather whether he had a backbone. Senator Obama if you are reading this blog please show your strength as you move forward. Go on the offense and put your opponents on the defense. Their is a host of information out there you can run with. Continue to rock steady and don't be moved by the polls,the media or the Clintons. You have something very special on the inside that is showing up on the outside. I say to you, let it reign!!! Keep up the good work!!!
They added the FACT CHECK to the homepage, it's under 'Learn' at the top of the page.
Check it out!
______________________
THANK YOU WEBSITE TEAM!!!
THANKS FOR THIS WONDERFUL WEBSITE!!!
AND THANK YOU FOR THIS 'FACT-CHECK' LINK!!!
______________________
Hey everyone!
If anyone you happen to come across people puzzled by one of the numerous unfair attacks and smear campaign intensifying, the most recent being on Barack's "pro-choice" records, you've got all ammunition to re-establish the TRUTH there:
In the MAIN MENU, anywhere in the website,
click on 'LEARN'
then select 'FactCheck'
Thanks again to the website team!
YES WE CAN!!!!
Only when we can speak authoratatively about not only Obama record but also those of his competitors are we in a position to beat back anything those campaigns may throw our way in this regard.
Most people on a grass roots level only parrot back information or half truths they have weened from casual observation. By follow this suggestion we can leave the tounge tied and become the and the most formidable grass roots network ever.
In this way even those of us not in a position to contribute financially can also make a significant contribution to Obama's cause.
Lets do this everydody Let become:
OBAMA'S TRUTH SQUAD!!!!!
Eric-from-Cambodia reporting for duty!
Happy warriors, bearing the truth for the pursuit of a more believing and hopeful America!
Very nicely done, Eric in Cambodia, for organizing the Fact Check move. Working from the ground up!
A Google result (they're al similar) What is the origin of 'calling a spade a spade'?
John Knox borrowed his "I have learned to call wickedness by its own terms: a fig a fig, and a spade a spade" from the traditional Latin proverb, ficus ficus, ligonem ligonem vocat, which is sometimes attributed to Plutarch but likely predates him and was a Roman folk saying without any historic (that is, written) origin."
"
The Hillary campaign kicked out butts with women by over 13 points and lets be clear it wasn't just older women they also gained among young women also this must be addressed on a grass roots level by us all. Women supporters must make the case to women better why Obama should be their choice even though Hillary is one of their own. Men must seek to make this case also but more importantly not be condicending to women or giving the appearance of being dissmissive oh Hillary simply because she is a women.
We got beat BIG TIME on the question of the economy. This is the No.1 issue nationally and we are not really addressing in in a substanitive way. Hillary has the advantage of memories of Bill here. Remember "it's the economy stupid" we got beat there by almost 10 points. We must address these concerns.
Those of you stating what Obama must do better while there a valid points to be noted. I suggest that the question be asked what can we do better?? We must become more engaged and pro-active at events. Obama gives all a golden opportunity at each on when asking undecides to raise their hand for the organizers. Those of us near to these people in the crowd can target these people take it upon ourselves to approach them after the event and armed with facts and registration card of our own (Which means taking a trip to a county office and grabing a few so that you always have one nearby) patiently answer any questions they may have right there not leaving it all for the volunteers to do, theyare only so many and can't be everywhere. This also is valuable when making a chance contact while anywhere underway (which we should aways be looking to do)
Try keeping up with the contacts we make either by calling or email, of course a this will require judgement to insure not making a nusence of ourselves. But done properly most people will appreciate that we take aninterest in them and want to keep them informed.
It is clear the the Hillary campaign will now be focus on tearing Obama down on his experience and his record by distorting it and similtaniously saying he doesn't have one.
This will be combined with out right lies. WE just as much if not more so than Obama must be prepared to fight these attacks with our boots on the ground because this is where the war will be won. WHO HAS THE MORE DEDICATED MOTIVATED GROUP OF SUPPORTERS ON THE GROUND IN EVERY STATE. Obama keeps telling us he can't do this alone: Well he's RIGHT!! Barack has got the ball rolling and he will always be our leader but we now HAVE to take ownership of it and show why this is a movement that can't be stopped. we need in addition to our meesage of hope, change and can do spirit. Get out the facts of
1. What Obama will do and...
2. What Obama HAS DONE!!
It is going to be critical to link these messages and weave them together into a coherent presentation. While we can have moments when we focus only on one or another, the focus the majority of the time must be on presenting all three in an as inspireing manner as demonstration of the core priciples of Obama message.
This is not only Obama task it is also OUR task!!
We are the ones who vindicate his vision. We must also be the ones who vindicate his record and platform.
We must take is record to te streets, shops, living rooms, bus stops, offices and anywhere else where their are people who need to be informed about it. Campaigns are won on the ground people not on the stage or over the airwaves. THAT MEANS YOU!!!
SO TO THOSE OF US WHO ARE SAD TODAY ONE QUESTION:
WHAT ARE YOU DOIN ASIDE FROM DONATING MONEY?
YES THIS IS IMPORTANT BUT ARE YOU DOING ALL YOU CAN WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES YOU HAVE TO ASSIST BARACK???
This is not critisisum .... IT'S A CHALLENGE!!!!
YES WE CAN!!!!
LETS GET TO WORK!!
In addition to phone banks & donating--go to YOUR local Obama Office (or one near you)...VOLUNTEER...Keep attending or having events in YOUR community, keep canvassing, keep signing up new supporters & volunteers, keep passing out Obama stickers & spreading the good word about Obama.
And not crying, either.
But the point remains that Obama as fantastic as he is can only do so much. He needs us to be his surrogates on the ground and I mean all of us and in addition to the check book. We must take ownership of our movement on the streets, in our neighborhoods and in our cities and states.
Inform, inform, inform.
Key facts of last night
Women - +17 N.H. Hillary
Women - +05 Iowa Barack
17-29 - +17 Barack N.H.
17-29 - +25 Barack Iowa
Economy - +9 Hillary N.H.
not a factor as I know of in Iowa
15% of the voters made their decision on the day of the election!!!!
SPREAD THE LINK TO BLOGGERS, CANVASSERS, PRECINCT CAPTAINS and anyone interested: Link
FIRED UP!!!
Also, everyone check out Arianna Huffington's last two posts. There was a lot of ugly stuff thrown out there by the Clinton campaign. Obama needs to address these things today and get the truth out now - these people truly will stop at nothing to get what they want and they have the machine behind them.
Barack will for sure address some, but he cannot spend all his time responding to each and every attack without blurring his core message - but WE can! And we now have fantastic ammunition.
1) When you hear about NEW attacks, send an email to WATCHDOG@barackobama.com (only new staff, otherwise our guys will be overloaded)
2) Get ammunitions to re-establish the trust in the FactCheck section - new link: click on LEARN in the main menu, then select 'FactCheck'
YES WE CAN!!!
While it is true that there are thing Obama must do and moreover which only he can do. I say again that WE too must look at ourselves and ask the important questions: What can I do better? How impoertant is this cause REALLY to me.
Do I go about my business everyday hoping for Obama but basically watching the procedings from afar with no real investment on my part.
Am I one of those you say GO Volunteers and Occasionally hit the donation button and think that my job has been done?
Do I inform myself about Obama and his competitors records that I may be an effective surrogate for Obama where ever and when ever the situation arises.
These are but a few of the hard honest questions we need to be asking ourselves and we better ask them now. Obama has always told us he can't do this alone and he is right. He can't be everywhere, he can't spend all his time defending himself against every attack directed at him. But as Eric put so well above.
WE CAN!!!!!
A winning Americas Cup Team only wins when the entire team works as ONE. Or better put 5 finger on the same hand.
We must also step our game up people. Each in our own way and to the best of our abilities and limitations. So today ask yourself these last two questions:
Am I doing this? and
How can I do it better?
OUR COUNTRY DEPENDS ON YOUR ANSWERS!
YES WE CAN!!!!
GOBAMA!!!!!!
Let's keep the momentum moving! Less than 1% of America has spoken. There are a lot of voices that must be heard!
Diebold favors Hillary, hand count for Obama
Wed, 01/09/2008 - 05:46 - clark
I used the Comma delimited database: NH municipalities hand count vs use Diebold machines from BlackBoxVoting.org to see if there was a deviation between the results from precincts which used hand counts and those which relied on Diebold machines. The results were astonishing. :
Updated: 5:05 AM (EST) - Results tallied for 209 out of 236 of the municipalities.
By Percentage
Method Hillary Clinton Barack Obama
Diebold Machines 53.23% 46.77%
Hand Count 47.47% 52.53%
By Votes
Method Hillary Clinton Barack Obama
Diebold Machines 82860 72807
Hand Count 18898 20912
By Number of Municipalities Won
Method Hillary Clinton Barack Obama
Diebold Machines 54 33
Hand Count 43 77
About 81% of the votes will be "counted" by the Diebold machines.
We cannot pull a Gore and just move on.
A 15 point swing overnight was unbelievable on it's face.
Thank you for posting this.
Silvestro...& the New Hampshire Election
Link
"One man's private, sole source company programs 81% of the election in New Hampshire, 100% in Connecticut, almost all of Massachusetts and most of Vermont. Never before seen video of the under-the-radar elections contractor John Silvestro as he tangles with master security expert Harri Hursti."
"Thanks for taking the time to explain that. I actually have a degree in computer science myself. We played around with self-modifying machine code back when I was in college. Such beasts can't be made with compiler languages -- only with assembly. If such techniques were used in voting machines, it could completely wipe any trace of itself. As such, I have been against these machines from the very beginning."
I presume the voter lists are available to the public, no?
"Bev Harris: New Hampshire, for the Democrats, was the exact opposite of Iowa. They used one of the worst voting systems in America and then handed programming of every memory card in New Hampshire over to a private outfit run by John Silvestro.
First order of business needs to be examining the published precinct results and comparing the hand count locations to the optical scam locations.
The results web site does not make this easy. You have to hover your mouse over each one of about 250 municipalities and then take a screen grab and then type it into a spreadsheet.
So far, no one I know has completed that task.
Here is the site with the municipality results:
Link
Here is a comma delimited data file I created with the municipalities and whether they are hand counted or opscam:
Link
I took the information from the NH Sec State site. A few of the locations do not have the voting system specified; if they have a low population, they are probably hand count.
Whoever gets the handcount vs opscam spreadsheet done gets two points. The tools are in the two links above."
Someone has made a site with said graphs, and they certainly are interesting. While the campaign probably can't do anything about it, Tim made a good point earlier that these machines are used in some of the other states that are coming up. Citizens should be informed of past issues and question their news sources about why no investigative stories have followed this yet.
Link
I would say we need to let everyone we know and let the Obama movement spread the word that these Diebold optical scan machines are NOT tamper proof and are producing different results than hand counted ballots.
Link
The poll numbers were high and the crowds were 1/2 mile long.
Folks talking about race are on the wrong track. Hillary wants everyone (especially black America) to believe it's a race issue so that they give up. I read somewhere that Hillary said that because NH is a primary that folks can do something different behind the voting booth. She was throwing the idea out there. You have to ask yourself, why would she say such a thing?
It's not a race issue, it's a FRAUD issue. Those folks came out to see Obama. Many of them stood in line for hours. That's not racism.
The overwhelming majority of pollsters had Obama above 8%.
How do you explain the crowd size and the high poll numbers?
Please read my post above.
the reason i believe this is a real issue that must be addressed is that these same re programmable voting machines are used here in Maryland and similar voting machines are used throughout the country.
our government's response to the "hanging chad" issue in 2000 was to put in these very expensive and very technically problematic voting machines. I challenge you to find any Computer security architect to back the validity of the current voting machines being used.
The Association for Computing Machinery (one of the country's oldest computer science professional organization) has made strong statements about the faults of electronic voting systems:
Link
Whether you believe addressing this issue is political suicide or not, it will be a constant problem throughout this election and future ones until the security loop holes are addressed.
We know, due to the weird rules, that citizens can't call for recalls in NH, only a candidate can. Yet I agree strongly with you that citizens do need to press this issue yet again because it will continue to affect the race. I was sad to see user comments on YouTube from (probably young) viewers who were responding by saying in effect, 'so voting doesn't matter, then.' The point is accountability, no pun intended.
That compilation of data and commentary by The Brad Blog you mentioned Link is very well-done and not sensationalistic. Definitely worth a read.
One opinion I have drastically changed during this race is this: the caucus makes more sense than the primary. It brings people together. It increases transparency. It requires people to be more informed. It's not antiquated--I hope one day it becomes more widespread.
Hillary and Bill are no different than George Bush. How they get there doesn't matter to them so long as they get there.
Do we want to be timid about this and allow them to get away with it?
Now the voters lists must be supplied upon request now that the election is over under the FIA. If you have some friends up in N.H. at the Uni locations across the state, specifically computer specialist and statistical anyalist who would be will compile the info reseach the way these people voted and build a contrast model well ....... ;)
Link
(A clear pattern shows that all candidates have less votes but hillary has more votes in the Diebold counted ballots vs the hand counted ballots)
We must win by that amount and then some!
YES WE CAN! ;-)
You know, we finally found out in 2007 that Ohio was rigged. I can understand that the campaign may not want to make this an issue but disenfranchisement is a serious threat.
Yes We Can, Yes We Can, Yes We Can
Fired Up and Ready to Go
Obama 08
We cannot ignore this. Many states are using those Diebold machines. We're going to have this problem in one state after another if we don't stop it now.
It is very easy to steal an election using those machines. Don't tell me the Clinton campaign didn't pull a fast one.
WE HAVE GOT TO SHOUT FROM THE TOP OF OUR LUNGS. WE CAN'T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS.
I don't like this at all. I really felt we had new hampshire.
Link
Link
Ok so I have only looked into John Silvestro for 3 minutes and already I am sick about this primary vote. Here is an article about the 2006 vote in Connecticut and LHS employees (Silvestro's company) reporting fraud. They were given extra memory cards and marching orders to tamper with the voting machines.
SILVESTRO'S COMPANY LHS PROGRAMS 81% OF NH VOTING MACHINES!
Please read this article. I am a rational mother of three who works for churches and is studying for the ministry. I am not a conspiracy person.
Link
BUT PRIVATE CITIZENS HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO EXPOSE A FLAWED OR CORRUPTED POLITICAL PROCESS ..... IF THEY CAN PROVE IT!!!
ANYBODY THINK ABOUT GIVIN THIS GUY A CALL??? ;)
Link
I agree that hooking into a conspiracy theory about the machines is political suicide. As much as the media thought that Obama had NH sewn up and looked stupid when he didn't if the exit polls were different than the actual results they would have said so, loudly and often.
I am not a fan of machine voting but I just don't see this as being an issue. If anything I am more curious about why the polls were so wrong. Was it because of the McCain vote? The sympathy vote? Did first time voters stay home since they thought Obama was winning in a landslide? Or more importantly did we seem too confident and it turned people off? This is a chance to learn something and move forward.
I would like to believe that there is no fraud in our process, but if you understand how this voting technology works, a paper ballot can be easily reprogrammed since it is a Diebold optical scanner that is counting the vote. These optical scanners in New Hampshire are pre-programmed by a private company (Silvestre LLC) and if Obama's initial vote count is -1000 and Clinton's initial vote count is set to 1000, than the machine will tally up 0 votes have been committed on the system...
not exactly fair, eh?
It is an issue that will have to be addressed especially if it is a system used in other states. I am sure that you do not need to be told that America was the laughing stock of the world in the Bush/Gore issue . America cannot be regarded as a beacon of democracy when the fundamentals required by the system are not there ie free and FAIR elections
Does the candidate have to be the 1 to challenge the result or can anyone lodge a complaint with the relevant authorities ?
we love u.. we support u Obama.. Link
Barack is our HOPE we need to allow ourselves a few minutes to have our pity party then we need to go about the business of getting Barack the nomination!
I'm gonna go make a donation now.
Fight the Fight
OBAMA '08
The first came in Saturday night's debate, when a moderator told the former first lady that, according to polls, New Hampshire residents just don't like her. She responded with a dimpled smile, coupled with, "That hurts my feelings." The camera then shifted to Obama, who offered that Clinton was "likable enough."
"He looked like an ex-husband that was turning over the alimony check," Begala said.
The other moment was Clinton's teary-eyed confession to a group of New Hampshire women that the pressure and attacks do sometimes get to her. Even the response from conservative pundits -- that Clinton had contrived her breaking voice and moist eyes -- worked to her advantage, underscoring just how much she has had to bear as her enemies relentlessly attack, supporters said.
There is a law of physics in politics, Begala said, referring to the remarkable emergence and fiery explosion of presidential campaigns from Ross Perot to Gary Hart to Howard Dean: "The angle of ascent is equal to the angle of descent."
Link
And this- Link
Besides, when you examine the delegate count, you'll notice that we actually won New Hampshire. If Diebold was in action last night, they did a pretty poor job.
"Commenter Brian makes an observation "No one is talking about how the polls actually nailed Obama's number. Obama didn't lose this election. He stayed steady and Hillary surged ahead." That seems to be true. Here's a chart comparing the actual results to the most recent Pollster.com current standard estimate polling average. Just as Brian says, the difference between the Obama poll level and the Obama vote total level seems to just be your basic statistical variance."
I wouldn't dismiss a Diebold machine issue based on what information is out there. But in terms of the news we did get, it looks like HRC's little emotional "Some of us are right, some of us are wrong" thing and the proceeding media circuit she went on to capitalize on it went over well with many women. I don't get that, but okay. And then there was Bill trashing Barack with straight up falsehoods at the last minute to sow doubt.
But like people are wisely saying here, these are all things to be taken in stride--they can only serve to make us stronger. Honestly, with his record, I could see this firing up Barack more than an landslide--he knows what it's like to fight uphill battles and how to go the distance. We should expect things to be tough. We know that if and when Barack wins the nomination, a whole new camp of attack dogs will be ready. They're already spreading hate and lies. We have to fight back with truth...and as gushy as it sounds--with love. Love is the least gushy of them all. It's hard, hard won. But it IS power.
Could be one reason why more independents voted republican in NH.
If I lived in NH I would have been one of the people showing up as undecided. Based on the last 5 days I was disgusted by how the blogs and pundits treated Clinton, because even though I don't think she is the best choice, she has worked hard for this Country and I think she will continue to work hard (leader of the Senate, hopefully) and as a strong woman I thought that demonizing her was wrong. I also think that Obama's comment that she was likable enough and how he didn't really respond during the debate to actual accomplishments hurt him. In fact when Gibson pointed out that his ethics bill really only prevented people from sitting while they ate it really resonated. So if I were in NH I can't tell you how I would have voted but I probably would have voted for McCain since I can't stand Romney....and felt sad for the glee at Hillarys premature funeral...and figured Obama didn't need my vote to win NH.
So to end this post of my thinking out loud....I think that is what turned the polls around. I admire that there are those of you who are 100% sure of Obama but I am not there yet, getting closer but still undecided. I guess as an independent I feel his biggest weakness is on experience.
However, I never appreciate nor fully understand "strategic" voting. I really always need to know where the truthful heart of my country is. I could be quite saddened by the current result, but at least I'd know where we have to go in our continued evolution.
If you vote your convictions you would easily cast a vote for Barack Obama. So, for me that's how I would have voted. I do my best to get a good bead of where my candidate is on the issues of the day, and do they fall in line with most of my own personal values (CIVIC values). I have yet to find a candidate who thinks exactly like me (though for the first time in my voting life -more than 30yrs -Barack Obama is almost speaking directly from my own mind! This is what is so amazing to most of us, I think).
My one and two character issues are HONESTY (tell us what we need to hear not what we want to hear ...I expect my representatives to be just a bit more thoughtful than I, but must always understand that they have no right to snow me), and CONVICTIONS (stand up for principles... I need my representatives to have strong spines... but understand that doesn't mean inflexible and stubborness... the art of principled compromise is STILL the bedrock of our Constitutional foundation.)
Finally, inspiring LEADERSHIP is quite an intangible quality that only a few has.
My recommedation for folks is always vote your convictions. :)
Let's dust ourselves off and learn something from this. This is a good lesson for every candidate. For every volunteer. For every voter.
Remember what Barack said when they asked him about NH on Good Morning America two days ago? They asked if he would win, and he said "I think we'll do well".
The rest of need to learn not to buy into the polls. I am tired of the media determining the result of our elections.
Thanks Obama!
Andrea
Link
My Dear Friends,
There was a time last night when I saw the results that I could not control myself. I felt overwhelming anger, disappointment and frustration. All I kept seeing was Hillary Clinton 39% and Obama 37%. All I kept seeing was Hillary was the projected winner. I went to bed, tired and tried to sleep. I could not. I woke up and switched on the TV and saw her victory speech. Got even more annoyed, tried to sleep but could not. Then I decided to write this.
Nothing good ever came about in this world without us as people fighting for it. There is no such thing as a free lunch. At this point of time, we could all sit down and say "ok we lost, lets get on with our lives, status quo is going to win." But then the whole point of this campaign, of the man running it, and the people supporting him is lost. We are not fighting to reach a destination Ladies and Gentlemen. We are fighting to carve out a path, a journey. Whether we win or lose, that journey will have to happen. If it does not happen today...the only thing we have achieved is making sure that our sons or daughters or their sons and daughters would have to try and carve out that same journey. So do you want to leave that battle to them, when we have come so far?? Or do you want to win this battle yourself? That is the question each and everyone of us should ask today as we start a new day.
contd
Really!? Why do I care so much? I am not even an American. I am a Sri Lankan. I will tell you why. Because once in a while, this world is graced by an amazing man, that stands up against all that is wrong. And at that time, that moment, WE have to stand by him, next to him and with him. If we don't that moment will pass, and that great man will go and all our lives will be the lesser for it. I grew up in Sri Lanka. I have seen three possible Presidents of Sri Lanka assassinated. And I cried, and I thought never again would I place my fate on another man's dream. When I saw those poll results today I felt that I had been cheated again. But, HE is still Here. He is with us. The least we can do, is rally the troops and get ready for this new battle. So the people who were expected to win, won TODAY. But they are not going to win TOMORROW. Or the next day. Because we have this chance. We control this destiny. Not Obama. Not Hillary. Not the press. Not New Hampshire. We do.
Let us start this new campaign my friends - the "Whisper" Campaign. Whisper to the man or woman next to you. Whisper the truth. Whisper and teach them the reality. Dont leave their side till they understand the importance of the message. And make them Whisper to the man or woman next to them. Don't shout so the whole world can hear. Save your voice for the victorious moment. For now, just whisper. Whisper that you have heard of a great man getting ready for battle. He needs some armour, he needs some soldiers, he needs some Hope. He needs Us. For we need him, because if he does not help you, who will?
OBAMA '08
What we have going for us is a candidate who has a lifetime of experience having to swim upstream, deal with setbacks and adversity. Others would claim this, too...but it makes me think of the kids on Beverly Hills 90210 complaining about how hard their lives were. "Yeah, it was really tough growing up. My parents didn't get me a car till I was 16."
A free ride, huh? Our candidate knows what it's like to build his own car from scratch.
Time to pick our heads up, stand as one, look the challenge stright in the eye, say and then demontrate
YES WE CAN!!
That phrase has a very specific negative connotation.
From wikipedia:
A whisper campaign is a method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are spread about the target, while the source of the rumors seeks to avoid being detected while spreading them (for example, a political campaign might distribute anonymous flyers attacking the other candidate). It is generally considered unethical in open societies, particularly in matters of public policy.
but we are not the status quo.
definitions do not fit us
we are spreading the good and we know it.
Who cares what wikipedia or any other definition calls us.
But if you want to change it...change it.
Just make sure you dont stop this train
Think about what happens to a teacher who is accused of molesting a child - even if the accusation is false, their reputation is damaged.
I'm talking about the name, what you call it when you promote it.
Homework assignment from a middle aged woman old enough to remember--for those of you who are down and need a bit of refiring, read MLKing--Letter From the Birmingham Jail (available on google). You will see the roots of the "urgency of now". Then it was segregation and the need for civil disobediance and a response to white moderates and the wilfully blind white church--NOW think of it in terms of inequality, social injustice, environmental matters and poverty and the need for political change and a response to the political status quo. You will see that King´s "well meaning" fellow preachers (in our case, fellow Dems??) also told him to "wait". And you will also see King´s recognition of all the "ordinary" people doing extraordinary things. I, for one, will never forget my travels to the South in those days, my father being hauled aside, pistol to his head, being called a N lover--and, being white, he had it easy! Folks, if they did that on hope, yes, we can too!!! LEGAL AND NONLEGAL DISCLAIMER--any reference to MLK is not intended to in any way criticise, attack, libel, slander or otherwise defame Mrs. Clinton or any of her agents, assigns or husband.
I will whisper to all who will listen...
It's a long road, as you've wisely said. I think some of us are 'shocked' more than we thought by the very normal dirty side of this kind of race in our country because we've stayed out of this sort of politics in the past other than just dutifully vote for the lesser of two evils. (Although I can't hate the process/system--we do have a lot of freedom we take for granted, and some of that freedom is the freedom to choose the low road). We really should have a 'reality check.' Not the one Hillary was talking about--but rather a reality check on what we're fighting for here.
It's not going to be easy. Barack gets it because he's been there--and I think he was probably unfazed less than the majority of us. We do need to toughen up--not in the steely cynical way, but toughen up on what we believe or what we truly want for our country. I, for one, am going to limit my intake of media overload. I'm 'press' myself (not the news type, rest assured), so I sometimes just assume it's my duty to know what 'everyone' is talking about. But it's going to get dirtier and I'll be having too many sleepless nights thinking I can sway the news press or influence the blogosphere by just one more hour of obsessive reading/writing. I found myself getting caught up in malice, for the first time despising those I thought had been morally bankrupt and complicit...he very malice I was seeing and attempting to point out in Mr. Clinton that was so ugly. Yes, there's a time for everything, but you've helped me realize that I've got to focus on the right thing and not get sidetracked. We all have a different role to play.
Thanks again.
It is important for supporters to be able to understand and articulate the differences when speaking with the casual political viewer.
NH really marks the beginning of the battle ahead.
A good example of why it's Barack who will unite us.
And, if his party (my party too, but I'll be the first to say it's just as corrupt as the other one) cares about winning, he's the only electable Democrat who can actually win.
I also refuse to vote for Sen. Clinton. IF she wins the Democratic nomination, I'm not sure if I will vote Republican or just not vote at all.
All of us who support Sen. Obama have more work to do.
COME ON, EVERYONE! OBAMA 08!
Can Hillary Cry Her Way Back to the White House?
Maureen Dowd, DERRY, N.H.
Link
Let's keep the news we need to hear floating and keep the dialog going on the sites that don't have as much support as others (i.e. Facebook is strong for Obama; RP supporters way outdo us on YouTube and Digg). I think this one (see above for link) in particular is important b/c there are so many conflicting articles going up on the NYTimes with totally biased language. Obama is there today--we need to push the probing ones up the 'most emailed' and 'most viewed' lists--headlines and articles DO affect public opinion.
Link
It is a recipe for the demagoguery and corruption that we see today in American Politics. It is a matter of lack of competition.
I am a Radical Centrist.
Link
And, the reason that I'm voting for Barack Obama is that, by and large, SO IS HE.
However, his only choice is to be in the Democratic Party since the Republican Party is utterly far to the Right and has no place for centrists any longer.
The horrible problem is that changing this fundamental limitation to choice in politics would be almost impossible in the same way that it is practically impossible to change the rules and structure of the United Nations (Which makes them useless as an executive body).
In any case, all of that is moot. Having been presented with a Lemon, we MUST make lemonade.
The Clinton's they really do feel this is owed to them...it's really disgusting and but I believe this veil will fall and we as Obama supporters - supporters of truth and for the people - need to stay even keel and not fall to their level.
I am going to give another donation to show my continued support. I have been able to contribute over $500 so far and I plan on giving now after each primary in Nevada and South Carolina. We have to stay focused and BELIEVE that HOPE is contagious and "words do matter"! Have a great day!
OBAMA 08
anyways i wasnt too desapointed with the results last night, two months ago no one could hv believed how good Obama would do... if his message has already attracked so much people, imagine when he moves to the south, i would hate that this campaign would be based on sex or race, but unfortunatly that does influence a lot of people, and so lets try to hearn with that, if Obama convinced so many Democrats, Independents and also some Republicans to support him imagine what could happen if the minoritys and amongst them some groups of people that were never interested in politics in the past mobilize... YES WE CAN
OBAMA 08
Europe is with you
I am so grateful and proud of you - I'm more FIRED UP than ever!
GO OBAMA!
1. edwards did so bad, mostly because NH voters wanted their vote to count and did not think that he had much of a chance to win the nom.
2. the poills didn't count the number of people who were undecided before they voted, no poll can count that.
3. NH voted for the establishment thats why they voted for hillary and mccain the 2 oldest people running.
4. NH always votes for the oppisite of Iowa and traditionally any challenge who wins NH for the dems never wins the general election
kerry in 2004
gore in 2000
tsongas in 1992
dukakis in 1988
mondale in 1984
the last presidential challenger to win NH was carter in 1976 and most of the people who voted in that election are either to old to remember or dead.
5. the change message will not work everywhere.
we are still going to win in a blowout.
obama 08
good points though to lift up the spirits of some of the feeble ones amongst us.
i have always said if you don't have a spine made of steel, please get outta the way , OBAMA train will run you over
and I couldn't understand
what I will do in my life
cause it was out of sight.
I don't know what I can do
I don't know what I will do
and my life stay on the reef
of exclusion of the soul.
I can't perceive my low arms
paralysed by frailties things,
and my brain decline with others
amassed in the culture's conformism.
I don't know what I can do
I don't know what I will do
and my life stay on the reef
of exclusion of the soul, but…
All together, we can see
our dreams and not a reef.
All together, me and you
We can do, all we want to do.
All together, we can live
our dreams of humanity.
All together, we can built
the peaceful world we dreams.
All together, we can see
our dreams and not a reef.
All together, me and you
We can do, all we want to do.
I was alone in the bad
of baby-killers full armed
in a world bursting of war,
and in all faces, wasn't love…
I don't know what I can do
I don't know what I will do
and the world stay on a reef
by defiance of international law, but…
All together, we can see
our dreams and not a reef.
All together, me and you
We can do, all we want to do.
All together, we can live
our dreams of humanity.
All together, we can built
the peaceful world of dreams.
All together, we can see
our dreams and not a reef.
All together, me and you
We can do, all we want to do...
Tomorrow is best than today
Tomorrow come from our brain
Tomorrow is best than today
Tomorrow we're living on way
Tomorrow is best than today
Tomorrow is best than today...
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Give more policy speeches, more Q&A sessions with the folks.
The "all style, no substance" is what I kept hearing from a few people who watched his stump speech.
I already emailed my suggestions to headquarters last night.
To my surprise and delight, Barack is as deep as he is wide, and now that folks are paying attention, he must tell them specifically how he can get it done more effectively than any other candidate in this race.
Barack Obama is smart, and this won't go unnoticed (thank God he's better at this than Kerry was) and already this morning you heard him talking about specifics on TV. So he'll adjust. But what are we gonna do? Keep whining? (OK maybe you're not but I sure did last night)Or get to work. I'm signed up to call Nevada today. I can't wait to get started, though I'm nervous.
The battle continues in Nevada and South Carolina.
From Huff Po
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They added the FACT CHECK to the homepage, it's under 'Learn' at the top of the page.
Check it out!
We are only a few weeks away from Super Tuesday where twenty other states will be voting in the primary. The deadline to register and have your voter registration form into the office is January 25, 2008. I have been visiting fast food restaurants and grocery stores passing out voter registration forms and actually going back and picking them up to be process. There is a lot of college students that may not have registered. I will be going to the Montgomery Alabama Public High School on next week to register voters. I have also made an appeal in my church for voter registration. We MUST work hard to get our candidate elected.
Thank You for helping spread the word about what we really SHOULD be doing.
There's lots of work to be done !!!
Paula
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IHT on DemsAbroad Primary
January 08, 2008 --
Net gives Americans abroad a stronger political voice
By Eric Sylvers
Published: January 4, 2008
MILAN: Thanks to the Internet, Americans who belong to the Democratic Party are getting a voice of their own in the presidential nomination, as the party has agreed to allow expatriates to choose 22 delegates to the national convention as part of the so-called Super Tuesday voting next month.
Everyone Counts, a company based in San Diego that specializes in online voting, is running the Internet voting for the Democrat primary for overseas residents. Everyone Counts handled the voting by Internet for local elections in British cities in 2003 and 2007 as well as the online voting for the Australian election in November, handling voting by soldiers stationed in Iraq and other spots overseas.
The Democratic primary for Americans abroad will start Feb. 5, the Tuesday when 21 states will hold primaries, and run until Feb. 12. In addition to voting by Internet, people can also cast ballots by mail, fax or - in 34 countries - they can vote in person.
"Internet allows people to participate who are busy and wouldn't normally get involved," said Meredith Gowan Le Goff, a lawyer who is the vice chairman for Democrats Abroad in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "We want all people to be able to take part in the primary whether they are a Peace Corps worker in Africa or a missionary somewhere in Asia."
Prospective voters must be American citizens living overseas and must either
Really? I wasn't in NH so I don't know what it was like there, but I'm not deflated. I'm not sensing that sentiment here on this board.
It's easy to say the supporters are deflated after a loss. The BO campaign needs to combat that with positive messages, showing that despite the (narrow) defeat, even more people are moving towards Obama.
Obama is the next Able Lincoln.
-Sarah, age 17
Richard M. Nixon
Richard M. Nixon
Richard M. Nixon
AMEN on that one!!!
This could be problematic for Barack in states that have "closed" primaries, where independents to not vote.
But for the long term general election, Barack is doing exactly what he needs to do, get the people who are not tied to a party.
It is my wish that the next president be able to form a coalition of people with moderate views, and treat the people of this country and the world by the Golden Rule. Otherwise, the next 4 years will be difficult.
I don't have a strategy, all I can say is that if Barack continues to appeal to those of us who believe in finding common ground (as opposed to those who only want to "fight the opposition") then I truly wish him well.
Alan
Our challenge is to show core Democrats what they will REALLY get with Barack or HRC. Make them see past the false tears that lasted all of 1.5 seconds before she started to attack Barack.
Remind them of what the 90s and a Clinton WH REALLY brought us...and that they DO NOT want to "go there" again!!
I have voted about 90 percent Democratic (and am a registered Democrat). I do not dislike HRC, but in THIS election, I have a preference for Obama. I read his autobiography over a year ago and it is shows his true wisdom (and I feel that those who read it will eliminate any "experience" doubt from their minds). My decision points were on foreign policy and Barack's desire to negotiate, versus Hillary's recent vote on Iran. (If we had diplomacy going the recent Navy event could have been quickly resolved with one phone call)
But the challenge of getting the core vote, I think, will come from convincing enough of them that Barack’s positions and plans are well-thought out, coherent, consistent with the values of most of the party, and far superior to what the Republicans plan. In 1992, Bill Clinton used a smart tactic – he had “validators” of his positions and would say something like “Don’t take my word for it – look at the Wall St Journal”. I am convinced enough, but I do know many that are not. Let’s get them turned around.
BTW: I attempted a post on HRC’s site that was similar to my original post above – it wasn’t negative. But the post did not get on – CENSORSHIP?
Alan
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Perhaps it is for the best. Now the "new majority" has to grow wider and deeper and stronger. That will better prepare us for the general election and the challenges that will come with pursuing the change we want.
My immediate actions in response to New Hampshire:
1. Donate
2. E-mail the Culinary Workers Union in Nevada to lobby for an Endorsement for Senator Obama.
I guess New Hampshire is the "end of the beginning".
Well done to the New Hampshire Team.
There may be a specific one for the endorsement - I am looking.
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YES, WE CAN.
I will be leaving the blogs (and giving myself a self-imposed MSM blackout) for a little while...I've got to get back to work full-time and take down my Christmas decorations! I turned on my XM Radio to Classical Pops so that I don't hear any commercials, talking heads, etc.
I will also be working here in Michigan with other Obamaians to make sure that "Non-committed" gets more votes than you-know-who.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new Obama Family! I know, you love me back! Thanks!
Since I am a former teacher, I would like to leave you with some thoughts and your assignments to work on while I'm gone.
1) Remember, we "gave her a thumpin'" in IA, while she was lucky to eke out 3 points in NH after being "inevitable" and 20 points ahead just a few weeks ago! It's all in "the spin". And, she had to resort to smears of Obama, JFK, and MLK, tears, dirty tricks, various forms of manipulations.
2) We know now NOT to depend on either polls or MSNBC to be "on our side". We also know (actually we knew it all along) that this wasn't going to be given to us, and that this is ONE STATE out of 50--49, actually since we already won one!
3) Take ALL of your cues on how to act and how to respond and what to say from the 44th President and First Lady: Barack and Michelle Obama. Don't sink to negatives and putdowns and name-calling like you-know-who did when they lost IA. Thank New Hampshire for the 37% and especially thank the hard-working staff and volunteers!
4) Don't worry about the supporters of other candidates coming to our side anytime soon. As a matter of fact, the way we act now will help them with their decision when it is time for them to come over. Edwards and Richardson will most probably stay in the race at least through Feb 5th...that's OK. Kucinich will run his race at least until the 22nd century! You gotta love Dennis! Hey, he's happy---have you seen his wife? The 2nd most beautiful wife of all the candidates...of course Michelle is the first!
5) We know what the issues and underlying (and underhanded) reasons are. Write out in Word short and concise and correctly spelled responses that are dignified, to the point, and classy.
5) Always keep in the top of your mind: WWOD: What Would Obama Do? Also keep in mind that not only America, but the world is counting on us to deliver! We've just come to a bump in the road.
6) Support our Nevada and SC workers here on the blogs, and remember the two constituencies that we have to work on the hardest are women and A/A. Women: understand that they (especially older woman) have always wanted a woman president--but HRC is NOT the one! A/As have been disappointed so often that we especially have to help shore up their doubts. Remember that B and H are "fair weather friends" and will say and do anything to win--for them, it's all about power. For Obama, it's all about us and America and the world.
7) At every opportunity, remember to point out all of the ways the HRC is copying our guy...only the best get copied...but it also shows how disingenuous she is that she has about as much originality as she does experience.
8) When the lies, misrepresentations, and dirty tricks come out from the other side, and you know they've already started, don't complain about it here...respond as above through every outlet you can.
9) -3 points is not a defeat, but a little bump in the very long road to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Put in for your vacation time for next January...the job is already done, we just have to fill in the details. The Congress might as well declare January 20 2009 a National Holiday...no one will be at work, they'll all be at the Inauguration of our 44th POTUS: Barack Obama! He said it last night!
10) Whenever you get discouraged, donate some more to the campaign and then watch BarackTV to refresh your memory on the speeches and the man himself and pump yourself back up!
I will miss you all; but I'll be back next week and I expect your assignments to be complete!
FIRED UP!
READY TO GO!
OBAMA '08
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My husband---a BIG supporter--said this song came to him this morning...
Add it to your favorites...and always remember:
WWOD--What Would Obama Do? Take the Higher Ground!!
I love you!
I know, you love me back! Thanks!
First they ignore you.
Then they laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then you win.
Ghandi
Do or do not. There is no try.
Master Yoda
FIRED UP!
READY TO GO!
OBAMA '08!
I am an undecided voter that is greatly interested in Obama's positions on gun rights. I am a law-abiding citizen and avid gun owner that enjoys the shooting sports, hunting, and the collecting of firearms. I am also a concealed handgun permit holder that regularly carries a handgun for my own personal defense and the defense of my family. I consider self-defense a natural, God-given right that the government should protect for all law-abiding citizens.
I own many guns that were previously banned under the "Assault Weapons" ban. I enjoy collecting these types of weapons and shooting them. At the same time, I consider myself to be a very responsible citizen and gun owner; always practicing the safe handling of firearms and teaching others how to handle firearms in a safe manner.
In looking through this website, I could not find any information on Obama's gun rights position. Does anyone know if Obama will protect our rights to own firearms, including semi-automatic handguns and "assault weapons", while at the same time punishing those few that misuse firearms?
Thank you.
Old articles:
Although Barack Obama has represented urban areas of the country where gun violence was a community concern, he has been a long-time and consistent supporter of all Americans’ right to bear arms. Senator Obama has led the way in protecting our law enforcement officials by cracking down on armor-piercing bullets while also protecting individual rights of hunters and gun owners.
o Obama said he supported better enforcement of existing gun laws, not new ones. Obama said he supported “common sense gun control measures. For now, the federal government should focus on better enforcement of existing gun laws, rather than creating new ones.”
o Obama voted to give concealed carry for retired police and military. Obama voted to allow retired peace officers and military personnel who have served honorably for at least 10 years to receive a permit to concealed firearms. He was the only Chicago Democrat to do that. [93rd GA, SB 2188, 3/26/04, 3R P; 40-13-1]
o Obama voted to allow the use of a handgun for hunting. Obama voted to allow the use of a handgun during the open hunting season for deer. [93rd GA, SB 257, 3/24/03, 3R P; 47-5-2; 5/28/03, HA 1 SC; 55-2-0]
o Obama said municipalities should control local gun regulations, not the state. ‘That law eviscerated anti-handgun ordinances in some communities… The way I feel, Wilmette should not determine Mattoon’s firearms ordinances and Mattoon should not determine Wilmette’s.’&r dquo ; Obama said, “I don’t necessarily support those (gun-ban) laws… but I think local communities should have the right to pass them, and that’s what this law was about.” [Chicago Tribune, 10/8/04; Springfield Journal-Register, 6/3/04]
I would somehow doubt that he's big on assault weapons, though, and I don't know the specifics on that. I personally don't see a reason for assault weapons in the hands of citizens, so it doesn't bother me. I'd urge you to think long and hard about denying a great change because of something like assault weapons... it would be sad.
I will leave you with this thought. This is a powerful movement we have started. There is nothing wrong with working hard to achieve your goals and we have a common goal to get Barack in the White House. So remember this, there comes a time when hard work needs to be replaced by smart work. Hard work creates momentum, smart work sustains it.
The only poll that matters is the one in the polling booth on election day.
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I called obama HQ and they said they are aware of this and are doing what they can. They aren't really sure of what they can do right now. Can they ask for a recount AFTER he conceded? if anything, we need to spread the word. At least if the Media gets involved, it would pressure people not to use the machines!
AMEN to that !!!
While Clinton was observing in the White House and the Arkansas State House, Obama was serving as an ELECTED member of the Illinois legislature and working the streets with the people as a community organizer.
Clinton claims great international experience because she has wined and dined with highly placed international government figures. Obama, on the other hand, has only lived among the common people in diverse cultural situations.
Obviously, the outsider looking in has much greater experience and understanding than the one who only participates in the daily life of average people. The unelected observer has more "real" experience than the elected participant in government. Clinton has told us this based upon her vast experience.
Which kind of experience does this country need? Earned hands-on experience or spectator experience bestowed by marital status?
What does that mean ?
It means that the forces of STATUS QUO fought back last night and won.
The forces of CHANGE always will have the harder road to follow, that's because many people are resistant to change.
(fyi - A person who I know came by saying "Hillary !" by my workspace. She asked me if I support Hillary and I said "No". She asked me: "Then, whom are you going to vote for ?" [understand this -- that same person I had told I supported Obama just two days ago]. I told her: "Obama". She simply: "Oh no". She then proceded to move on, saying "Hillary !" Hillary !")
(last night's lesson for us Obama supporters -- no one said this was going to be easy, so PLEASE PLEASE ignore the polls and pundits before election day, for they can be off the mark)
But remember its over until its over, and this race is far away from being over, so get up and fight back!
YES WE CAN
That woman must be stopped, come on NV and SC and Super Tuesday states. That woman is simply not electable in November, 49% of the country will not vote for her. Obama is a uniter who will bring some Independents and Republicans to our court.
What happens with Edwards now? If he hangs around, it will be pretty difficult to see where he could possibly win going forward. We sure could use some of his supporters on our side!
Good luck Sen. and Mrs. Obama, we desperately need you to lead our country.
I don't think it was racial, not here in the Northeast. But I do think it was Hillary's huminizing moment showing emotion, coupled with the fact that pollsters and pundits predictions caused many Obama supporters to stay home with a combination of motivating the woman vote.
NH has many independant voters and these were never polled, unlike the DMR which polled them in Iowa and their predicitons were right-on.
I think we must disect this thing and find out what happened and then go on, not taking anything for granted again.
But two things: the polls worked against us, inviting some Independents to vote for McCain since Barack was deemed the inevitable winner by pollsters. And Hillary's support from women may have more to do with that last minute dirty trick regarding Barack's voting record in Illinois on abortion than her tearful moment.
Abortion=WEDGE ISSUE. Who knew it worked within the same party? Because it was women who tipped the scales in Hillary's favor, I have to wonder if that hot button issue for women encouraged them to vote Hillary. Maybe we could have hit back harder on that one. If those dadgum polls had been closer, maybe our effort would have been stronger and with more urgency.
Delegate-wise, we're still ahead. Momentum-wise, this is a blow, but I think when the emotion recedes and logic and fortitude kick in, this campaign will continue to move forward. And when Barack has won the nomination, we'll look back at NH and say, that's when we got over the "high" that was the Iowa win and buckled down to a tightly fought, sharpened and more effective campaign. Take nothng for granted. Utilize every opportunity to the max. No complacency.
I do think this has cranked up the performance expectations for the next debate. No more "just don't make a mistake" thought pattern. It's got to be prepare, win and make every opportunity count. Fight, fight, fight like an underdog.
This is the time to show that this desire and movement for change is not simply about emotion. Every battle has its ups and downs. Do we have the staying power to shake off this very close 2nd place finish in NH (after all, we didn't lose...Edwards was at 17%) and make success and a first place win happen in Nevada and South Carolina? Those two states will be more of a test for this campaign than one 2-percentage point difference in NH.
Nothing can stop us.We just have to continue to work hard!
Game on folks, Barack needs all of us now more than ever.
Yep, *still* FIRED UP AND READY TO GO!
What more can I do than donate money? Well, I responded to Steinem´s offensive argument in the NYT that we should vote for Hillary just because she is a woman (how horrible that Steinem would use the gender card to create an either/or dilemma between african americans and feminists.)
Secondly, a suggestion for those Obama supporters to talk to undecided women: a browse through some of the comments disagreeing with Steinem by women from all walks of life is a treasury of useful talking points in support of Obama.
Last night's upset, sure brings home the lesson that pundits and pollsters CANNOT predict how MANY will actually vote and for whom.
Exit polls in Florida (that dreadful year) when the wrong president was "selected" didn't match with how many folks there said they had voted, told me never to trust exit polls again.
Voters can change their minds in the voting booth. Polls can't reflect that. I'd have to conclude that many NH voters changed their minds that final day and no one saw it coming.
I'd also wonder if because the pollsters and pundits had coronated Obama for a sure win in NH, that energized many Hillary supporters (or folks who didn't want Obama) to get out to vote, and at the same time, caused many voters who were certain of an Obama win, simply to stay home and let the others do it. They sure weren't showing up at her events in the vast numbers that went to see Obama. So did those vast multitudes include many curiosity seekers?
I'd have to conclude that the amount of people attending events don't mean jack.
The final 24 hours are crucial. My Senator, Ed Muskie teared up with emotion in NH because his lovely wife, Jane, had been verbally attacked by the opposition. He was history. Hillary shows emotion and she becomes humanized.
The MSM played this humanizing moment over and over in the 24 hours before the NH vote. The media played the "Dean Scream" over 700 times after Iowa and he went down.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm I guess a woman can show emotion and a man cannot.
I said I'd never get involved again after Dean's loss, but I changed my mind when I heard Obama.
I've never felt so strongly (HOPEful) about a candidate before. I pray NV and SC can put the wind back in our sails heading into Super Tuesday.
I won't be watching Chris Matthews and Tucker and the rest for a little while. I don't want to hear them go over their thoughts.
Dammnnn I'm upset.
Its all water over the damn now, but in retrospect, the only solution to that scenario would have been for Barack, or one of the Staff, to have called a news conference and criticized the talking heads for piling on HRC, that they should be more dignified and civil.
But, such is the way of a Chess Match, and If there's anything that the Clintons are good at is Political Chessplay....
It makes me sick
That was the same feeling I had four years ago when the one I was supporting for president, Howard Dean, failed to win Iowa.
In 2 weeks time the MSM killed Dean. Kerry came up from no where - single numbers, in fact.
By coronating Obama, the MSM hurt his chances to win NH.
Can they shut the heck up now?
Yes, I was a "Deaniac" (ans still am).
As for the media, they extolled Dean's frontrunner status prior to the Iowa caucus in January '04 and then that same media seem to delight in helping bring Dean down the days after that caucus.
Advice:
1) Don't believe the polls and the pundits;
2) Endorsements don't mean diddily squat (both
NH U.S. reps -- Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter -- endorsed Obama);
3) The MSM (mass media) is essentially a fourth arm of the government (some refer to the MSM as the Fourth Estate) and that fourth arm is just like the other three -- resistant to change, the Status Quo has the advantage).
TEARS will not move Musharraf, Kim Yong-Il, or Putin.
We need a leader for this country----and Senator Obama is that leader.
Another office was just opened in GA yesterday---adjacent to SC to MOVE those voters forward. I'm concentrating on that---doing what I make calls for NV as well.
Senator Obama WILL BE the next President of the United States.
Secondly, it is extremely refreshing and impressive to hear a candidate who does not sink into personal attacks--nor does he really even give the personal attacks leveled against him very much credence. He remained positive and focused, even in response to the vindictive and mean-spirited "dirty-work" visited upon him by former president Bill Clinton.
My sincere, and very heartfelt congratulations to Senator Obama for remaining focused on the issues, and upon his ideas for addressing those issues.
I disagree with the Senator on several important issues, however I believe him to be an "honest player" with whom real debate and discussion is not only possible but important.
I hope that Senator Obama continues to do well, and eventually becomes the nominee. Honestly, I believe that Clinton would be easier to defeat, however a general election between Senator Obama and the Republican Nominee is more likely to be one based on a genuine contrast of issues and ideas; thus better for our country.
God Bless,
Michael Lee
Green Bay, WI
I voted Republican for 32 Years until 2007 when I finally realized that there was no place in the current Republican Party for a 'Radical Centrist' such as myself
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It used to be that the GOP had a place for somebody like me, but the times have changed.
I found it interesting when Chris Mathews, last night, interviewed Tom Delay and asked him (and it went something like this), "Tom, in your words, how would you describe a moderate?" Delay's answer was: "Well.... Somebody who thinks a lot"
Lol, I (And Chris Mathews has quite a laugh about that) when asked to elaborate, he said that moderates didn't really hold to the Republican social values, but that they were still a valued member of the party.
Well, they lost me. And they've lost tens if not hundreds of thousands like me that are going to Vote for Barack Obama.
Again, thank you for your civil words and well wishes :)
Conservative, Liberal, Moderate; I believe that each of us cares deeply about our country. I also believe that the good of our country requires the honest participation of us all. As Republican as I may be, I know full well that it would be a dangerous thing to have conservatism run unchecked; as I believe we would be ill-served by unchecked liberalism.
This is why civil debate and conversation regarding our pressing issues--and about our ideas for confronting these issues is so vital.
Senator Obama reminds me so much of JFK; who totally captivated me in my youth. Even I have to admit some deep stirring when he speaks of "hope." And I don't think, as Hillary does, that he is raising false hopes.
Push on, and--as Jesse Jackson always says, "keep hope alive." It may well be that this young man is destined to serve as president.
Michael Lee
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Republican and Fox News Viewer
MikeLeeGBW@gmail.com
We also have to be real here because of Hillary crying for votes and Bill Clinton standing up for his wife everytime Obama gets votes,Obama is fighting some VERY dirty people who will do ANYTHING to win.He needs our support not us debating why he didn't come first in NH.
People in Nevada and South Carolina your assignment should be to talk to women and minority and tell them we need their votes.We need to serious explain to people that the Clintons are divider not united and the Clintons only brings the same results.We need to explain that Hilary's "experiences" doesn't mean anything if nothing in Washington doesn't get done.We need to explain to people it's time for new blood because we've had a Bush and Clinton for 20 years in Washington.
LET'S GET MOVING PEOPLE AND KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON BILLARY.
After watching the primaries in NH, and listening cerfully to policy experts, I have some questions.
Who won? Hillary or Bill.
She made her best scores in city areas, Manchester, Nashua..... sending Bill on the turf to regain the ground that was his, and that enabled him to win NH in the past.
Is that legal? I mean, this is totally new, an ex-president campaigning for his wife lurking to the WH. It is totally unbalanced for all the other candidates. He is a lobby all by himself.
Yes they are going to attack hard, and maybe it's time not only to explain that Obama embodies change but HOW he is going to make it, in order to call short their "fairy tale" attack, because they are going to play it over, and over and over again.. Fix the gap before they engulf in it by keeping your boots to the ground, and put the stress on what he did, what he intends to do and how. Obama is an excellent speaker so it souldn't be too hard for him to get this message through in order to mute them for good.
Goooooooood Luuuuuck !!!!!!
There is a song that I have chosen as Obama's unofficial theme song. Every time I get discouraged I listen to it and I am revitalized! I am reminded of what WE can accomplish. I hope you will play it every time you doubt our power!!!!!!
Sly And The Family Stone's Stand!
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Here are the lyrics:
Stand
In the end you'll still be you
One that's done all the things you set out to do
Stand
There's a cross for you to bear
Things to go through if you're going anywhere
Stand
For the things you know are right
It s the truth that the truth makes them so uptight
Stand
All the things you want are real
You have you to complete and there is no deal
Stand. stand, stand
Stand. stand, stand
Stand
You've been sitting much too long
There's a permanent crease in your right and wrong
Stand
There's a midget standing tall
And the giant beside him about to fall
Stand. stand, stand
Stand. stand, stand
Stand
They will try to make you crawl
And they know what you're saying makes sense and all
Stand
Don't you know that you are free
Well at least in your mind if you want to be
Everybody
Stand, stand, stand
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Everyone keep positive. there is so much baloney about expectations. in the big picture we learned last night that the foe is mighty, but we also know our movement is mightier. We will win. please do not treat this campaign like an ordinary battle. it is special.
Stay positive and go!
Fired up and Ready to GO in NEW YORK STATE!!!!
Turn of the MSM and tune into the local people who support and believe that Senator Obama is the best person to bring about change in this country!!!
Probably not, unfortunately....
Hello?! John Edwards? Are you listening? We love you. Come join the party. There's a place for you here. There's a place for all of your supporters here.
For that matter... Bill Richardson!? Hello? Are you listening? We love you. Come join the party... Bring your supporters. There's a place for all of you here.
I am an obama supporter from iowa and i was talking to people on another blog site and this is what i was told. How do i know if this information is correct and who do i tell or give this information to?
don't worry everyone there are 48 more states to go....keeep the movement going!!
obama 08'
Could it be that Diebold rigged the NH primary in favor of Hilary?
Some reports indicate that hand-counted ballots favor Obama, whereas machine counted tip the election in Hillary's way..
Where is the ruthless Obama who contested the signatures of in his Senate race? Where is the warrior who will fight for voters rights..
I believe in Obama, but do not trust the Clinton machine. He does not need to get negative but send a clear signal that he will not tolerate unfair practices of the Clinton campaign.
PLEASE! contest this vote!!!!!!
Hand counted all the way!
There are a lot of smart people in this family. I strongly believe we need to call for a hand count if we can. Something happened last night and if we don't stop it now we'll see it happen again and again, and again.
Unfortunately, citizens in NH cannot call for a hand count. Only candidates can so perhaps some of us who are interested can contact Kucinich and Paul campaigns. Maybe Richardson? Would Edwards want to fight this fight?
The reason I think we should investigate is that these machines comprise the majority of the voting method in the Feb 5th states.
After Fl in 2000 and Ohio in 2004, I don't think we should just hope for the best.
this is a 50 ROUND FIGHT!
HILLARY CAN'T CRY in all of the 48 STATES!
KEEP THE HOPE ALIVE, AMERICA IS READY FOR CHANGE!
FIRED-UP READY TO GO!! OBAMA-08!!
I just want to thank Sen. Obama for standing for us in ways that no other candidate has or can. Thank you for believing in us as much as we believe in you. Now, let's go take SC.
This idea of division into "change" vs. "status quo" camps is counter-productive and short sighted. This country needs to open up its government to all views and all people.
I'm still on the fence, but I know one thing. I won't vote for Barack based on what he says about Hillary (or vice versa). I will vote for Barack when I am convinced that he can best bring all people together to take effective action to save the character of our nation.
The Democratic candidates need to stop bashing each other. It will hurt in the long run. And we're in this for the long haul.
NH Primary: Pre-Election Polls Wildly Different Than Results Announced for Clinton/Obama
Link
How can you guys just dismiss those crowds? You can't. You saw the 1/2 mile long lines. All the pollsters couldn't be wrong.
The Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton Royalty will have their way if things do not change.
must ally against the status quo.
I know this is asking and risking a lot. but if Edwards tells his supporters to vote for Barack on Super tuesday(if Edwards loses SC) the forces of status quo(Hillary) will falter
my friends agree, but do my fellow politically charged Obamites agree?
Its great to be idealistic (and I've been an idealist for over 50 years), but you have to think beyond your own group of supporters to win the Democratic nomination. And you have to think beyond the Democratic party to win the election in November.
Trust me: The "forces of change" is a nice slogan, but you are going to need a lot more than that to win the election in November. And what we want is REAL change. And you've got to win the whole thing to be in a position to affect real change.
We press on. Go to the action center and help in anyway because YES WE CAN!
This just can't be something cute to say folks we really have to believe our motto:
"I will never ever pay attention to polls and I will always work as if we are 20 points behind."
Thank you to the people of NH and all the supporters who work extremely hard from all over the country on behalf of the Obama Campaign. Now on to NV and SC.
OBAMA '08
You say you have faith. I will show you my faith by what I do. - James 2:18
Git 'er done! - Larry the Cable Guy
Obama's record in Illinois
- Link
People need to know what his ideas area!
I hope EVERYONE of this blog reads that wonderful quote of yours.
Thanks for posting
I hope EVERYONE of this blog reads that wonderful quote of yours.
Thanks for posting
We're in a panic!!! Only two more days to register new voters in New York for February 5th.
Rose cohen
as available from the whois database
Maybe somebody will get that. But keep trying for something better.
Link
So, let's get to WORK!!!
My wife and I are going up to Nevada (Pahrump Office) next Thursday to assist with the campaign through the caucus on Saturday the 19th.
I am more Fired Up than ever and your husbasnd is right; I also work better when angry.
YES WE CAN!
Link
Doesn't exactly taste that great, huh ?
Well, let's prepare ourselves better next time -- for the MSM and the voters(polls and pundits) may be seemingly about to serve you (us) a scrumptuous cherry-on-the-top cobbler pie but it's not until you sit down (on voting day), that the pie actually gets placed in front of you.
The Diebold machine count just so happens to favor Hillary, but the hand count favors Obama.
I wouldn't call that humble pie.
I hate to have the little conspiracy theory BUT, there are a lot of election issues that have not been addressed.
Also, from last night, as the results were still coming in:
Link
David Kuo
Obama, Polls, and Race
Posted January 8, 2008 | 10:04 PM (EST)
It now seems pretty clear that virtually all of the late polling on the Democratic side was wrong... very wrong. The last Rasmussen Report had Obama +7 over Clinton. CBS had him +7. USA Today had Obama +13 and CNN +10.
With more than 60% of New Hampshire now reporting Obama is -3. 40% of precincts still need to report. Things may change. But this gap really is extraordinary. Chances are nil that Obama is going to win overwhelmingly. The polls were hugely wrong.
Why?
It is a return to the race-gap polling problems of the 1980s and 1990s:
This phenomenon was first noticed in the 1982 race for governor of California, where Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, a black Democrat, narrowly lost to Republican George Deukmejian, despite polls showing him with a lead ranging from 9 to 22 points. The next year, African-American Democrat Harold Washington barely won his race for mayor of Chicago against Republican Bernard Epton. Pre-election polls taken within the last two weeks of the campaign showed Washington with a 14-point lead.
The problem was prominent in the New York City mayoral race in 1989. David Dinkins, an African-American candidate beat Republican Rudy Giuliani by only 2 points, despite leading by as much as 18 points in polls a week before the election.
Tonight, despite all the talk of how little race matters in this campaign, it is clear that race is still a big deal in bi-racial campaigns. And it has showed up for the first time, in a measurable way, in the 2008 presidential race.
It means that every poll -- from exit polls to tracking polls -- are absolutely suspect from here on out.
There was NOTHING that could have been done to counteract the free plubicity that Senator Clinton got on election day with the national and local news saturated with images of her crying. That tugged at the heartstrings of women voters over 40. It was a manipulative move that worked--this time.
The only thing sad is if nothing is done about it.
so my fellow NY/NJ friends
LETS TURN HILLARY'S BACKYARD INTO OBAMA'S PLAYGROUND! HOOAH!
We will prevail. Yes we can.
My Best Regards,
Father of two daughters, Helsinki, Finland
Hillary's small victory dance will just further energizes the Obama camp to fight even harder!!!
Hurrah for Obama!!!
FIRED UP in The Bahamas, sipping a Obama Mama (Bahama Mama) and catching the cool breeze on tbe beach. Hey fellas, having a good time, every body swinging, dancing to the music, onthe radio!
Link
These polls serve no one. No independent minded vote wants to be told in advance how they will vote. Also, we wondered about the voting machines. More fraud.
I love Obama and his integrity. Hillary upset me playing the weak woman card. Women can be loving and strong but she comes off like such a phoney. I sure don't want a president who looks pouty and depressed if she doesn't get her way. Obama is my "Bobby" returned. God Bless Barack. The only sane choice in an insane world. He would get America the respect we lost in the world. The times they are a changing and the white men have screwed up the planet enough. Time for a man of color.
YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!
OBAMA '08
This is the learning process. Frankly after Iowa victory I thought Barack became over confident. He wasnot taking questions in his events and he said if he wins NH he will win the presidency and acted like he is inevitable. In short he was doing every thing Clinton used to do. So this is learning process and Barack will grow as a candidate and win NV and SC and go with momentum to Super Tuesday.
Assuming that the actual votes were accurate, I never truly trusted these polls showing Barack Obama ahead by 10-13 points. NH was and is McCain/Clinton country. It was a red state until recently.
The Shaheens still have clout there.
The media started talking about 'comeback kid' a while back.
Bill Clinton's stranglehold on my Democratic party will be its ultimate destruction. He cost us congressional seats during the 90's, and will continue to do so. Democrats get this knee-jerk 'DEFEND THE CLINTONS' reaction everytime they are perceived to be under fire(I know because I was like that until this campaign cycle).
The Clinton's were already popular among Dem women, but I truly believe that the 'tearing' up put her over the top. The media(and some bloggers) mocking her afterward gave her the extra sympathy votes.
Bill Clinton's comments about risking(tinge of his Sister Soulja moment) helped her in NH. It will be her demise in states with AA population(esp during the general election). Black people are watching the Clintons. They are listening to his CODED comments(fairy tale/naive/rookie/drug dealer). I have heard AA calls on CSPAN, where this just might swing some vote to Repub(especially if it end up being Huckabee who did attract over 40% AA votes in Arkansas).
Although Barack Obama is and will not play that card, others have and will.
Finally, the ROCK STAR label by the media made me cringe. It played into the Clinton's fluff meme. They constantly mention Dean(youth vote) and Barack in the same breath. Some on this blog do the same thing.
He speaks to all age groups. The ironic thing is that it was Barack Obama's community 'get out the vote project' during the 90's that delivered Illinois for Bill Clinton's election. I guess Obama was not so naive when he and Clinton travelled together.
Her supporters sent out false mailers making him look anti-choice. Her supporters also suggested to Independents that Barack Obama was going to raise their taxes.
The HRC campaign was galvanized by the stunning loss in Iowa, and maybe that should be a lesson to us all. Don't take anything for granted, and every vote counts!
There were already big challenges ahead for the Super Tuesday votes, and that hasn't changed. Getting out Obama's message of hope and change is more important than ever. Deconstructing NH isn't too helpful.
Bill
Something definitely went wrong.It is left for Obama campaign to figure it out otherwise the trend might continue.
Link
Having proclaimed that, I'm in agreement with some previous posters with regard to electronic voting versus paper ballots and hand counting. Electronic voting machines have revolutionized vote stealing. Couple that with the fact that the companies that produce, program and distribute these machines are huge and, sometimes, multi-national companies. Corporations, such as Diebold, have benefited greatly from the Bush administration corportacracy. Therefore, the mutual 'back scratching' practice comes into play. Vote stealing has occurred in every election since the beginning of this experiment in democracy, so it's not like it's an unknown practice. The current, egregious problem, however, is that the voting machine companies don't have to try very hard at this crime.
I'm not trying to be a downer here. I believe that Barack succeeded last night despite the possible foul play in the voting process. However, I believe, like others that have posted here, the voting process needs to be scrutinized and questioned prior to Nevada, South Carolina and Super Tuesday. FWIW, I've worked in politics and government my entire life. I've seen the worst, and I've seen the best in politicians. Barack is not only the best politician I've ever witnessed, Barack is also a passionate and honorable human being.
YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!
OBAMA '08
Link
Link
This means that that in states with REAL diversity, the Bradley effect (if there was one in this case) will have only a minor effect.
Right now there are a lot of Black voters in SC growing cynical again that a Black candidate can not win. We can not let them give into their doubts. If you are canvassing or phone banking in South Carolina, emphasize, emphasize, emphasize that Senator Obama only lost by 2% in the 2nd Whitest state in the country. And voter registration and turnout will be key. Moreover, show the Clintons for the frauds they are. Earlier in the week, her campaign attempted to paint Senator Obama as too liberal for opposing mandatory minimum sentencing. That is a knife to the heart of many African Americans who have been fighting against these unjust sentences for years. They need to know that Bill Clinton is "Black" when it's convenient. I expect Bill Clinton to do his tour of Black churches in SC starting next week, but we need to send a message that his race pimpin' days are over
I'm not giving up on Nevada either. I think Senator Obama has a compelling case for Latino voters. He shares the unique experience of being the son of an immigrant like so many first generation American Latinos. He understands what it feels like to be the kid with the different name, having a different cultural perspective that most Americans don't. He can appeal to them on that level. While Jerome Armstrong, a Liberal blogger at mydd.com, has says that a Black candidate can't appeal to Latinos, I completely disagree! So to our Latino supporters, we need you working hard to make that case.
A lot of folks know that I'm the resident worry wort, so if I'm still hopeful that's reason for all of us to hope!
Love, y'all!
We should really organize a March that would show the nation that we are together and that we do want change. It could be aired on both english and spanish TV stations.
Posted on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 - 1:44 am:
------------------------------ ------------------------------ --------------------
So Obama won by 38.7% to 34.8% for Clinton (~4% spread) when counting only the hand-counted votes – those that can actually be verified. The spread is actually about a 7% shift if you take the % of votes Clinton picked up in the machine counts (+4.9%) and the % of votes taken away from Obama (-2.3%).
Maybe there could be a recount of all the ballots that were put thru the scanners. Wouldn’t it be a hoot if that was done and Obama actually won! Problem is, who would call for such a recount? Certainly if Obama did, it would look like sour grapes and why would Clinton ask?
Very strange that when corruptible machines are involved, Obama looses but without the machines counting, he wins. A lot more analysis needs to be done, but something smells pretty bad here.
blackboxvoting (.org).
Link
PLEASE.
Why can't WE THE PEOPLE demand a hand count?
Even if Obama would have won by 3-4%, the race still shows, that Clinton is not far behind.
That's why it is very important to stay fired up and just move on and as Obama says "Hope!
Forget about NH, Bill Clinton lost there back in '92 and yet he became the president.
Loosing in NH is almost like a booster a "nitro-charge" so we don't get too comfortable!
Let's get it on, Let's kick some butt in the upcoming 48 states!!!
Many states use those Diebold machines. We will see a repeat of this if we don't do something about it now.
"Last month, top election officials in Ohio and Colorado declared that Election Systems and Software's iVotronic is unfit for elections."
Link
The issue is not the company that produced the e-voting system. The questions that must be asked are more along the lines of who maintains these systems? How do recounts happen? How may a voter verify his/her ballot? How are the votes counted?
The technologies of ES&S, Diebold and Sequoia systems have all been criticized by several computer science professors across the United States. If you want to go in to technical detail (being a computer scientist myself) I could share with you the concerns, but suffice it to say that if you think that just clicking on a touch screen and hoping your vote will be recorded in a machine or even writing a ballot and not knowing how that ballot will be counted electronically, your votes can now be rigged.
Verified Voting dot Org has analyzed all e-voting systems as vulnerable!!!
Link
I believe too many believed the polls and thought work was not necessary.
If WE want Barack then we MUST work for Barack...forget the polls, the pundits, etc...they don't vote; voters do!
In NH:
Only 17% of voters in NH were young voters, there was 22% in Iowa
we lost women 30-59 whereas we won them in IA
we still have problems with older women
we lost registered Democrats
This tells us WE have much much work to do. We need to assume we are behind in NV & SC until the actual votes are counted and work to assure victory.
Yes, last evening was disappointing but it was also eye opening and said WE need to work harder than ever...victory will not be handed to us!
I am a Republican in North Dakota. I don't have much money so I am going to do everything else I can possibly do to see that Barack wins the ND caucus on Feb 5!!
Yes, WE Can!!
Obama 08
Link
You need to air commercials with this theme from now until super tuesday!
I have never cared so much about an election and have never felt the way I do about Obama.
Everyone please show your support and make a contribution today - we all need to work together to keep this movement, moving.
Let's stand fast with Barack! This election is far from over yet and MANY things can happen. Do not get down or discouraged because THAT IS JUST WHAT OUR RIVALS ARE HOPING WILL HAPPEN. Don't fall into that trap. Continue to work hard, DONATE and believe.
The forces of change (Barack and Edwards) are far more in number than the forces of the status quo. That is VERY important and has a LOT of interesting possibilities for the future.
MOST IMPORTANT: Barack is a young man with a future important to our country and the world. We need to show that this is a movement that will STAND UP for what we believe in even if we lose in the short term. I believe that if we stick together and demonstrate how strong we are, we can still change the world.
but please don't type in all caps...
that is considered "yelling"...
We love you back!
BUT, We need to take charge in the Feb. 5 states where she leads big time..
We can't use the same Clinton campaign inevitability rationale and expect to win! That be a hypocritical Strike 2 against us (like with lobbyist firm owner, Jim Demmers)...
_ _ _
From Mark Halperin's The Page:
Obama campaign argues that their candidate will win because of inevitability, electability, and polls — all the lines of argument for which they mocked Clinton’s campaign for months.
Obama for America Daily Talking Points
January 9, 2008
A little more than a month ago, Senator Clinton was leading by huge margins in New Hampshire , and the Clinton campaign was calling this state their “firewall.” Tonight, Barack Obama fell just a few thousand votes short of winning. Obama brought tens of thousands of voters to the polls – Democrats, Independent and Republicans – voters who chose change over more of the same failed, Washington politics. The fact is, a majority of voters in New Hampshire voted for change over the status quo. Now the race moves on to Nevada and South Carolina, where Obama has strong and growing support and the February 5th states, which will have a big impact on who the Democratic nominee will be. Barack Obama and millions of Americans who know America can do better are determined to win that fight.
Link
They also had her on but unfortunately I missed her.
HRC also came close to pulling the same last night in her speech:
"I listened to the voters of NH (pause) I found my voice."
As she went from the first sentence to the second her voice was actually breaking and she stopped before going on....I think she realized she could not play that card two days in a row.
Be prepared for anything from HRC...she and Bill know how to win!
Notice the I got changed to "We" last night,
Notice her words "in this moment"
She will do whatever it takes. It will be interesting to see what is done in SC where 50% of the voters are African American....I bet she nor Bill call Barack "a kid" or his campaign is "a fairytale" or "false hope" or he hasn't done the "spade work" or "words don't matter."
We need to stay positve but we cannot allow HRC & Bill do repeat the actions they did in NH!
Yes, WE Can....Obama 08
My Best Regards,
Father of two daughters, Helsinki, Finland
If we can show NV and SC the outpouring of support from all over the globe that can depict what real change looks like on day one, this will be immensely helpful. Real change is the world transformed in one day when Barack takes the oath of office.
Real change is also our ability to be able to speak and blog well to the issues, I think more depth will help us to gain the support of more older voters, and to combat the 'fairy tale' assertions.
If anyone has links to some of Barack's old podcasts please post them. I think the "Energy Security is National Security" podcast is very powerful, anyone know where I can locate that one to share? Thanks
Link
I just submitted the comment below at thecaucus link above:
Compare the recent events in Kenya to Pakistan and I think it provides some insight into one of the difference between Edwards and Obama. Edwards, who has no official role at this time in matters of state, decided to call Musharref and then quickly announced that he had done so to the media as proof that he's a statesman.
In contrast, Barack Obama called Secretary of State Rice to offer his assistance to the State Department and then has been working as best he can to make the situation better without tooting his own horn and at the expense of devoting more of his time to the political fight of his life.
That, my friends, is LEADERSHIP and "action not just words" and is yet another example of why Obama deserves our support.
Link
For those of you who have seen Paul Pott shock Simon on Britain's Got Talent last summer, enjoy again!!
For those of you who have never seen this...get out your Kleenex!
GET INSPIRED!
FIRED UP!
READY TO GO!
OBAMA '08
I am new to this board but not new in my support for Senator Obama. I have learned much on this website and for the first time in over 20 years of voting my husband and I have chosen to donate to this campaign. Barack said last night "Yes We Can" and I looked at my husband and said we must do our part in helping Barack achieve our vision for America.
North Carolina in the house for Barack!!!!!
Yes We Can and Yes We Will thanks to your words of hope!
Professor Jennifer Green, Shreveport, LA
1) If the rumors were true that a bunch of big endorsements were lined up then why didn't the campaign release one on Monday...especially if it was John Kerry? We need to put our foot on her throat when we have the chance.
2) Barack needs to show self restraint in debates when Hillary is attacking. The "you're likable enough" comment was not a good moment. I winced when I heard it.
3) Where was Oprah to court the woman vote?
4) Why isn't Barack's role in Kenya being communicated to the MSM more? If experience is his weakness then that would be a huge example that he is a leader and not all just talk.
5) More townhall meetings and taking questions from regular people.
6) IGNORE POLLS AND PUNDITS!!!
There....I vented. Now I'll remain positive and continue to volunteer at Chicago's HQ and make donations when I can.
:)
Link
Second, Barack needs to warm up emotionally some. He 's not showing his personality and sometimes (though he means well) come off cold. I wasn't pleased with his debate demeanor as well as Monday's GMA interview.
As for Edwards, John wants to be the white male southerner candidate which stereotypical has been only archetype which could win as a Democrat in the general. And with the unpredictably in the race, (without significant AA turnout) Edwards or Clinton probably will sweep the deep south. Obama's numbers among white Dems are in the single digits..
We can not expect our guy to win each and every primary. It would be nice, but that is not what politics is.
My thoughts about last night are that the base of our Party believe, to their core, that a partisan warrior makes more sense as it relates to their vote.
They could not be more wrong. And it really does not matter, anyhow. Barack's appeal is to a generation that has grown tired and disgusted with the 'status quo'.
If we do not engage and push this generation to do more than simply attend a rally, than we are not going to pull this off.
Our ground game must intensify beyond belief in every state.
Every state.
We must go after young voters and independents with the zeal of crusaders. It is not enough to complain and complain about the state of our politics. At long last, we have someone who, by virtue of inspiring and uniting us, can bring about real change.
Real change, people.
But we must win elections if we are to change things and that REQUIRES finding voters and bringing them to the poll.
So here is my pledge.
I am in a Febuary 5th state which will likely vote for Obama. I am going to go to the Obama office here, as I've been doing, and ask to give me a list of 50 young women who are registered in Nevada, California, and Texas who are not 'decided' yet.
I will call them, every 4 days, to encourage them to vote for Obama.
If just 100,000 of us did the same thing, and make sure they vote on their primary day, we will win this.
Contribute.....but do what you can to turn the tide for our guy.
I suggest BEGINNING with young women and independents(who tend to be both).
Yes....We...Can
Paradoxical as it may seem, this gray area had at least 20,000 voters who do not take part in the rallies or carry flags in the streets.
The Clinton Camp knew this fact and managed to get to those voters, tactics such as crying, telephone calls and direct contact where all employed to reach out to them. A machinery and computer tools must have been employed too, in order to analyse the "Voters Register" . whatever it takes to convince them to come out and vote has been done by the Clinton Camp.
This cunning move from the Clinton campaign showed the strategic skills, experience and depth of understanding of Bill Clinton himself. He was in fact the only person in America that on the morning of the election said, "Watch out, the Gap may be closer than you think".
A Master Strategist at work.
If Obama is to win the nomination and the presidential election (which we all counting on), he must learn this lesson from his opponent and understand the making of this gray area, be it older women, unions or whatever.
The question of "who are the voters", is the one and only question that wins elections.
The mystery here is that this Gap will be different in every state and the most important job of the campaign managers, is to understand this gap and give it more attention than they did in NH.
A final word: "continue speaking out to the people to get the bigger picture and the message across, but never ever forget the Voters, the "people" account for 80% of the count, but the voters while being the same, are also 20% more, sitting at home, watching and listening."
I agree with you. I believe citizens can request a hand count. I think we need to do that but I don't know how to go about it.
If we don't get the truth about what happened in NH, this will follow us to other states.
You were not only congratulatory to Senator Clinton but spoke of the future and your message is one of what we as Americans have a right to expect from our elected representatives.
As your references to President Kennedy’s speech “what we can do for our country” makes us responsible for things that this country does, you also seem to expect much more of our elected officials in your views than are presently being met by our representatives.
So many of us feel so disenfranchised by many of the mainstream elected officials and to me you seem to be reaching out to those of us that feel our vote doesn’t count. I vote. I have always voted but some times it has seemed to be less important than now.
I would also like to thank you for your positive steps forward after this loss in New Hampshire. I would have been so easy to start bashing the other candidates. You words take the high road, realize what has occurred and move on to the next step.
Look at the difference prior to Iowa versus prior to NH.
Before Iowa there was nervous anticipation, tremedous support for the Iowa ground troops, letters to the people in Iowa, phone calls, urgency to get out the vote, a huge increase in fundraising.
Before NH there was a solid expectation that we were going to win and win big based on polls not facts, decreased support to the NH ground troops, no push for letters or phone calls to the workers in NH, little urgency displayed on this blog to get out the vote, fewer phone calls, a decrease in the level of fundraising.
We simply got outworked by the Clinton machine. It was a rookie mistake on our part, one we can not afford again.
Let us be humble troops, and simply keeping pursing a new dispensation for America.
Keep your heads up! Stay positive, and focused. Pray for God's wisdom.
Let us be humble troops, and simply keeping pursing a new dispensation for America.
Keep your heads up! Stay positive, and focused. Pray for God's wisdom.
Let us be humble troops, and simply keeping pursing a new dispensation for America.
Keep your heads up! Stay positive, and focused. Pray for God's wisdom.
Let's keep the momentum moving! Less than 1% of America has spoken. There are a lot of voices that must be heard!
There are those who are preying, not praying on the youth voters to become disgusted with the process and quit. When there a new sense of HOPE in the air quitting is not a option.
OUR YOUTH Supporters + HOPE + CHANGE = Obama '08
Yes we can.
Can we take America back from the special interest groups and the cynics in Washington?
Yes we can.
Can we propel Barack Obama to the democratic presidential nomination, can we establish a change that we believe in, and finally...this November can we move the Obama family to their new address on: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?
The answer? YES. WE. CAN. Donate people! Show Barack Obama that you have faith in him and know he can win where it really counts: Nevada, South Carolina and Super Tuesday!
Obama is running a dignified campaign. Can you honestly say the same about Hillary?
It irks me that we're so used to the politics the Clintons and Bushes have run for the past 15 years, a lot of people don't recognize a campaign run by someone who is classy and refuses to give in to the temptations of dirty politics.
Ifeanyi Aneke
Lagos, Nigeria
Way to give up after only one loss. This whole campaign has been a difficult one and the media has called Clinton the clear front runner from the very beginning. They said they were kidding ourselves by believing Obama even stood a chance, but look what he did: He won the Iowa caucus in a state that was predominately 95% white, and reduced Clinton's win in NH to only 2-3%.
Keep in mind he beat Hillary by almost 7% in Iowa, and has beat her in many of the polls. That to me is saying something.
We can do this you guys. Now is not the time to be down just because of one loss. Keep your head up, and support your candidate!
I'm a basketball fan, and a Spurs fan specifically. We Spurs fans are spoiled rotten because we happen to have one of the greatest players ever on our team and he makes it look so easy to win. When our team does lose, though, our message board goes crazy. People question our coach, who is brilliant in his own right, and question Tim Duncan's heart, and question our bench players. It's become so predictable, this crazy-going after a loss, that we steadfast regulars refer to the crazies as jumpers and pre-empt their craziness with our own sarcastic demands to "Fire Pop!" and "Trade Tim!"
So, I woke up this morning reminding myself that this campaign, like a basketball season, is a long hard haul. One battle lost does not break a season. Our man is in good shape. He's playing hard and smart. He's surrounded by a smart, loyal team. And he's running a campaign we can be really proud of.
WHEN I DONT WIN, I DONT CRY. I AM A MAN WITH A MISSION. I AM ON MISSION TO CHANGE AMERICA.
in my opinion it is shame for a would be president of the united states of America to cry to get votes. Its really really dirty politics.
Their victory over feminism. Their victory over common sense. Their victory over reality.
When emotion trumps intelligence; when sisterhood trumps brotherhood; when false tears trump honesty; when compassion trumps logic ----- then those women of NH not only postponed Barack's fast track to the White House, but also their own gender's struggle to be taken seriously.
Still fired up and ready to go!
Link
Remember, donate!!! My daughter - who is a young, struggling mother of two - said she made a donation this morning because the results fired her up!
Link
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (3 to 4 limes)
• 4 teaspoons grated lime zest
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 11 graham crackers
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
PREP WORK
It's easier to remove the lime zest from whole limes so I would start with that. Then I would cut the limes in half and squeeze out the juice being careful not to include any pits.
Process the graham crackers in a food processor or blender and then melt the butter and have it at the ready.
HOW TO MAKE AT HOME
1. Whisk the egg yolks and lime zest together in a bowl until tinted light green. This takes about 2 minutes
2. Beat in milk, then juice and set aside at room temperature till it thickens.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
4. Mix graham cracker crumbs and sugar in another bowl.
5. Add butter and stir with a fork until well blended.
6. Pour this mixture into a 9-inch pie pan and press over the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Try using the bottom of a measuring cup to make sure the graham cracker mixture forms a firm crust on the bottom of the pie pan.
7. Bake on the center rack for about 15 minutes until the crust is lightly brown, remove and let cool to room temperature.
8. Pour the lime filling into crust, spread evenly, and then bake for 15 minutes until the center sets, but still wiggles when shaken.
9. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.
10. Refrigerate for at least three hours until well chilled.
Some of you might like to serve it with a whipped cream topping or a meringue topping, but I prefer keeping it simple. If the pie seems to be sticking to the pan when serving, try dipping the pan into a bowl of warm water to loosen it.
It's great to hear that you're trying to start a conversation with all of us.
Can I suggest that you create a public profile, so we can provide more information on why we're supporting Obama?
For me, personally, it's much more than words. I know that Barack Obama has a lifetime of real-world experience, as a community organizer, as a college professor, as a state and US senator, and as a member of a multi-ethnic family.
Trust me, we've all done our homework. This isn't just about the buzz we hear on the TV. Each of us can tell you why we're supporting Barack in the election, and I'd encourage you to tell us more about what you're looking for in a president.
Please, for the sake of all of us, refrain from insulting remarks or abusive attacks in the future. This is too important for us to just goof around. We need a president who is ready to lead on Day One, and that person is Barack Obama.
We had an election in Florida where the machines malfunctioned just in 2006 and the congress refused to overturn the results. Result, the Republican candidate continues to serve knowing full well that the machines malfunctioned. Let paper ballots rule.
entrepreneurs to free this nation from the tyranny of oil and save our
planet from a point of no return.'
Great speech. We did a fine job in New Hampshire, and this is just the beginning. We're taking our country back & the fundamental need for a positive future is not going to be denied!
:)
Yes We Can!
Fired Up!
Detailed, specific empirical evidence of fraud... Link
Please email Chris Matthews, every newspaper etc. If it can happen in NH it can happen anywhere there is Diebold machines.
3 packages unflavored gelatin
1 cup ice cold water, divided
12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1 1/2 cups
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
Nonstick spray
Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.
In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.
Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.
For regular marshmallows:
Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.
When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
It will enable this campaign to practice for the general election. It will be a tough fight, but a worthy one.
Now is a critical time to show your support by making a donation!!!
We are giving up our weekly pizza night to make another $25 donation. What sacrifice can you make for this campaign? Join me in making a donation!
... Link
Look at the difference prior to Iowa versus prior to NH.
Before Iowa there was nervous anticipation, tremedous support for the Iowa ground troops, letters to the people in Iowa, phone calls, urgency to get out the vote, a huge increase in fundraising.
Before NH there was a solid expectation that we were going to win and win big based on polls not facts, decreased support to the NH ground troops, no push for letters or phone calls to the workers in NH, little urgency displayed on this blog to get out the vote, fewer phone calls, a decrease in the level of fundraising.
We simply got outworked by the Clinton machine. It was a rookie mistake on our part, one we can not afford again.
1. Never assume turn out will be perfect, we are right now a 500,000 strong movement and I think for Nevada and beyond, we need to focus on get out to vote efforts. If 200,000 people of these including Union members from Nevada who will be endorsing us make calls to at least 3 people each that are committed supporters of Obama to make sure they attend their caucus or primary, we should win. I propose a Get Out to Vote registry for use by the 500,000 strong Obama movement to cover Nevada, SC and at least 12 delegate rich states of the 22 states in February 5th.
2. Obama should start including in his stump speeches the importance of differentiating between poll standings and actually showing up to vote. He should use NH as an example of a situation we should avoid since many assumed since we are leading in polls, they didnt have to show up
3. Obama needs to start including several question and answer sessions in his campaigns right after the stump speeches
4. We need to add "YES WE CAN" as part of our trademarks that go hand in hand with FIRED UP READY TO GO", "HOPE" and "CHANGE we can believe in". Need more of the signs at campaign speeches
5. Michelle Obama needs to be more involved as
a compliment to Obama just like Bill Clinton
is complementing Hillary,with NV, SC and Feb 5th states just as much as she was involved in Iowa. I think she helped alot with women votes there and we need her again.
6. We have 27 days left including today to superTuesday and I think Obama should spend at least 4 days in NV (We need that win) and he can manage 3 days in SC (Michelle can help much more in SC). Then we have twenty days left, spend 2 days in each of 8 delegate rich states (NJ, CA MO, MN, MA, CO, TN, AR) spend 1 day in CT,1 day in NY, 1 day in GA,1 day in AL.I don't think he should spend a day in Illinois his home state, he can use surrogates like Dick Durbin and even Michelle
Something that United States of America can never let passed to prove definitely to the whole World that this Great Nation is One.
Listen! The say when Senator Obama let heard the voice of change of people of America in IOWA, that America is unique.
The same say when Hilary slows down the course of history in New Hampshire: "look! Ever in a Nation called United States, division is big!"
This people do not know what direction to take to change positively the course of history. However, American people know.
American people know that in Obama, change will come.
Others that refuse to claim this, deeply in their heart also know.
It is time for America to prove definitely that United States are one Nation, Unique and Great.
In Senator Obama, Change will come for America, for Europe, for Africa, for the whole World.
Everybody knows that but Americans alone can turn this to reality.
Let's keep the momentum moving! Less than 1% of America has spoken. There are a lot of voices that must be heard!
Yes, we can.
I had my thoughts of conspiracy and the political establishment gone amuck and now, only recently have I had the epiphany. What made the difference in that election was that his supporters wanted him in more than the rest of the disgruntled population wanted him out. Simple as that. And the difference today is real - it's you and me - sick and tired of being sick and tired. And the more we dare to believe that change is not only possible but inevitable - the more we can convince those who are unsure to believe as well. There is no greater candidate to make this happen than Barack - and there is no time greater than now that we are in desperate need for the change he can help us to achieve.
Obama, You do not need the Democratic Party. Bolt, join with Bloomberg, form a third party, the Center, become President!
Link
Please research and respond accordingly.
2nd They stole the NH election( I know people in the technology industry and machines can be programmed to give you any outcome)
3rd We AA's are angry. Hillary and Bill will lose in SC.
Tough loss last night, but I think it provides a good opportunity for Obama to flesh out some of his policies and really show the country what he is made of. He has a lot of great ideas, but everyone only knows about his 'change' message. Let's take this opportunity to make sure everyone knows about his policies and judgement.
Shas has this soundbite of 35 year experience, the truth is she has done nothing of substance in 35 years where as Senator Obama has a very solid experience.
Let's put this experience debate to bed for once and all by having a debate with her about this.
Her resume is so thin that she will run for covers.
Soundbites are good but there is no beef in her resume
Please, Senator Obama challenge her to open debate about experience and debunk her every claim as she has done nothing.
Clinton's are power hugry couple fooling democratic base into believing that they care
... Link
Get over to msnbc and vote NOW!!!!!
Especially the last question!!!
Link
YES WE WILL...OBAMA 08
After voting for Obama in the MSNBC online poll link that you provided, I clicked the results and see that Hillary is in the lead (ie. that doesn't make me happy) for the most votes on the question:
Who has the best shot at being the next president of the United States?:
Who has the best shot at being the next president of the United States? * 75941 responses
Hillary Clinton 34%
Barack Obama 27%
John McCain 17%
Mike Huckabee 6.2%
Mitt Romney 5.5%
None of the above 4.1%
Rudy Giuliani 3.4%
John Edwards 2.7%
Not a scientific survey. Click to learn more. Results may not total 100% due to rounding.
Link
YES, we CAN.
Obama is the guy who can make this happen!
Let's continue to LIFT Barack UP. Please, all of us in the next states need your help. There is so much work to do. Please channel your energy into the Action Center to help elect Barack Obama POTUS and to change a nation. Sign up to phone bank or travel to any of the remaining states. Donate. Talk to your family and friends. Wear Obama gear with a smile. Read all of the information about Barack's positions on key issues and inform others. One by one, we must work every day for this. Every state really needs your help!
for some strange reason the link to the article you posted came out wrong.Anyway, here`s the correct link to the article about the endorsement:
Link
Leen Geschiere, Netherlands
YES, WE CAN!
Come to Oregon, Barack Obama! We're waiting for you!
Personally, I love to watch when the growth of a person exceeds all expectations for them - nothing is more inspiring. Immediately after the loss last night, the intensity and purpose in Barack Obama’s eyes was breathtaking and led me to think that the loss had brought him even greater inner fortitude. He had the facial expressions, the carriage, the intricacies and overall strong voice of a leader. I truly felt that we as a nation could rest in him. The faith I that have in him as a leader now reaches beyond strength and resides in his very integrity and motivation.
In his speech last night, Obama also identified "genocide" as one of the true threats to the world, and again I felt that he confronted the issues of our entire world community, for such is the distinction of a true leader of the free world. Not only will he have the weight of America on his shoulders, but he will also carry the weight of those countries which need America’s strength and which look to America as an example of strength, on his shoulders.
what a beautiful post.Please keep posting.
YES WE CAN BECAUSE WE ARE FIRED UP AND READY TO GO!Obama '08!!
Link
It's Just A Matter Of Time
Words & Music by Clyde Otis, Brook Benton & Belford Hendricks
Recorded by Brook Benton, 1959 (#3)
Someday, someway, you'll realize that you've been blind,
Yes, darling, you're going to need me again --
It's just a matter of time.
Go on, go on, 'til you reach the end of the line;
'Cause I know you'll pass my way again --
It's just a matter of time.
Bridge:
After I gave you everything I had;
You laughed and you called me a clown.
Remember in your search for fortune and fame,
What goes up must come down.
I know, I know, that one day you'll wake up and find
That my love is a true love --
It's just a matter of time.
Much love, America; keep the faith.
YES WE CAN CAN
Now is the time for all good men
To get together with one another
Iron out our problems
And iron out our quarrels
And try to live as brothers
And try to find a piece within
Without stepping on one another
And do respect the women of the world
Just remember you all have mothers
Make this land a better land
Than the world in which we live
And help each man be a better man
With the kindness that you give
I know we can make it
I know darn well we can work it out
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, why can't we
If we wanna get yes we can can
I know we can make it a world
I know we can make it if we try
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, Great God Almighty
Yes we can, I know we can can
Take care of the children
The children of the world
They're our strongest hope for the future
The little bitty boys and girls
Make this land a better land
Than the world in which we live
And help each man be a better man
With the kindness that you give
I know we can make it (I know that we can)
I know darn well we can work it out
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, why can't we
If we wanna get yes we can can
I know we can make it a world
I know we can make it if we try
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, Great God Almighty
Yes we can, I know we can can
I LOVE THE VERSION THAT HARRY CONNICK JR. DOES ON HIS ALBUM "OH MY NOLA"
I think they should use the Pointer Sisters version or better yet have the Pointer Sisters record a new one for Obama. Connick's version is good, but it doesn't compare to the Pointer Sister version from 1973
Let's hope they get it together because the symmetry between the songs and the message is perfect. "Signed Sealed Delivered" should be held off until he's nominated.
Link
I like both versions of "Yes We Can Can". And thanks for the links. The first time I heard it was when Allen Toussaint himself performed it at one of the benefit concerts for Katrina. (Maybe he would do it for Barack!) It just seems tailor made for Obama...so inspiring.
Link
America - can't you feel the love tonight? The world is ready to show you some love, people!
I started thinking what should the OBAMA Camp do - Despite of being down in polls (until before the primary season)or even after 2nd place finish in NH, I liked the fact that Obama never went negative - only attacked policy differences. I think we need to tell the people the strength of the character that OBAMA brings - CALM, NERVES, COMPOSURE, GRACE.
On the other hand, I saw Hillary starting to accuse allegations, blame the press and even break-down (almost shed a tear) - and for what- just being down in opinion polls - If Hillary couldn't handle even this little of a stress, how can she be a strong president.
I think we need to bring it to the light of the american people - emphasize the real difference in the candidates - especially in light of the ever changing dynamics of the world our next president will have to face.
So let's get the good word out - OBAMA
You can read it at Link.
If you have time please visit my blog and comment on it if you have something to add. I think the last couple of paragraphs would be helpful to the campaign and its supporters at this time.
Obama 08
Focus on things you can do something about. Everything else is just BS. We aren't going to change the primary system now any more than you are going to change whether your right handed or left handed. It is what it is.
As Barack has said, this is a bottom-up campaign. The difference will be made by individuals talking to their friends, neighbors, associates, and strangers. The media and TV advertising will not make the real difference for us. We must do it ourselves.
THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF:
When somebody mentions the presidential race, have you told them who you are supporting?
Have you convinced your whole family to support Barack? If not, why not?
Do your friends know who you are supporting and why? If not, why not?
Are you going to a rally when he is in town? Even if it is "inconvenient"? Who are you committed to taking with you?
Can you tell someone in 100 words or less why you support Barack? Do you know what he stands for? Have you read his policy statements and listened to his speeches? Do you need to do it again?
Are you "for" Barack - or just "against" Hillary?
Are you in it for the long haul because you believe in the man and the cause? Or do you just want to back a "winner"?
When Barack comes in second, are you looking for excuses? Or are you looking for "what can we do next to succeed"?
Do you speak up when somebody says "the country isn't ready for a black president - or a woman president"?
Are you willing to challenge stereotypes and prejudices in all forms? Have you challenged your own bias?
Are you looking at each primary like it's a "sport" to be tallied in a win/loss column? Or are you focused on building delegates one by one until the convention?
Do you understand what Barack means by "the fierce urgency of now"?
Are you looking forward? Or looking back?
Are you "enrolled" in the cause? Or are you just a spectator?
I have challenged myself with these questions. I am challenging you, also.
Folks. It's time to "throw your hat over the wall". You will have no choice but to go get it.
(Anyhow?)
Forget the "all or nothing" media. Forget the deceptive and erratic polls. Ignore the "on top of the world" one moment and "Bottom of the trench" the next feelings that are as fleeting as the wind.
Remember what this fight is all about -- IT IS A FIGHT! This nomination will not be handed to BARACK OBAMA, no matter how righteous the cause nor how eloquent and personable the messenger. No matter how inhumane this primary schedule is(and it is, you know), no matter how often the "pundits" wax and wane in their spoken words about our man, no matter how ragged Barack's voice becomes and how tired he looks (and all of you fine Obama folks feel) - learn from him! He said it all last night! How on earth this man finds new wellsprings of inspiration and strength is beyond my mere understanding, but somehow he does it, and I am thankful for it, and WE need to learn from his strength and perseverance.
This is our finest hour. This is when the Nation learns from Barack Obama and his fine and wonderful organization how we deal with adversity, how we fight back from setbacks, how we continue on and on, through ALL the states in this bewildering confusion of primaries and caucuses, here and there, all over (if you have forgotten the rollcall of states, I refer you to the famous post '04 IA caucus Howard Dean reiteration), delivering HOPE, and strength, and self-confidence to a people long in need of it all. Are you tired? Imagine how (and deservedly so) tired America is of the last 7 years?
Gather yourselves and fight on! America needs Barack Obama and that means - NOW - America needs You.
WE can all do this. Oh YES WE CAN!
" In Big O´s speech regarding JFK and King´s hope (moon and dream), I think he should also add something like this -- Imagine you son or daughter saying I want to be a doctor, lawyer, or CEO ... Reality check, can´t do that"
A big YES WE CAN FROM PORTUGAL
The 2008 election year has done something to Americans. It has reminded them that politics is more than just a word we refrain from using over drinks. It's reminded them that ambivalence to it brings about times like we have been suffering for 5+ years. Politics is no longer something to sit idly by and watch for the outcome and then complain over. It has become a cornerstone this year of each of our identities as Americans. 2004, and John Kerry's narrow loss, sparked Americans to vote for change in the mid-term elections, and overwhelmingly we saw sweeping change in congress. The steam that built toward the 2008 general elections has ignited all Americans, regardless of party affiliations, to vote. The upside is more Americans, tired of the status quo, voting. Advantage: Obama.
Small losses, like New Hampshire, only strengthen a campaign. It reminds all of us that we can not take a win for grated, that change comes with a price, be it small, and that is taking time to vote. I think the 'loss' in NH is in reality a gain for Barack. It will inspire those of us, too lazy or ambivalent to vote, to actually do so if we want to see change. The more people who get out and vote, the better chance Mr. Obama has of taking the nomination and the Presidency. He WILL see a rebound in Feb, and a big one at that. The game is not over, but we're rounding second hoping to be waved in.
YES WE CAN CAN
Now is the time for all good men
To get together with one another
Iron out our problems
And iron out our quarrels
And try to live as brothers
And try to find a piece within
Without stepping on one another
And do respect the women of the world
Just remember you all have mothers
Make this land a better land
Than the world in which we live
And help each man be a better man
With the kindness that you give
I know we can make it
I know darn well we can work it out
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, why can't we
If we wanna get yes we can can
I know we can make it a world
I know we can make it if we try
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, Great God Almighty
Yes we can, I know we can can
Take care of the children
The children of the world
They're our strongest hope for the future
The little bitty boys and girls
Make this land a better land
Than the world in which we live
And help each man be a better man
With the kindness that you give
I know we can make it (I know that we can)
I know darn well we can work it out
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, why can't we
If we wanna get yes we can can
I know we can make it a world
I know we can make it if we try
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, Great God Almighty
Yes we can, I know we can can
I LOVE THE VERSION THAT HARRY CONNICK JR. DOES ON HIS ALBUM "OH MY NOLA"
YES WE CAN CAN
Now is the time for all good men
To get together with one another
Iron out our problems
And iron out our quarrels
And try to live as brothers
And try to find a piece within
Without stepping on one another
And do respect the women of the world
Just remember you all have mothers
Make this land a better land
Than the world in which we live
And help each man be a better man
With the kindness that you give
I know we can make it
I know darn well we can work it out
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, why can't we
If we wanna get yes we can can
I know we can make it a world
I know we can make it if we try
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, Great God Almighty
Yes we can, I know we can can
Take care of the children
The children of the world
They're our strongest hope for the future
The little bitty boys and girls
Make this land a better land
Than the world in which we live
And help each man be a better man
With the kindness that you give
I know we can make it (I know that we can)
I know darn well we can work it out
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, why can't we
If we wanna get yes we can can
I know we can make it a world
I know we can make it if we try
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, Great God Almighty
Yes we can, I know we can can
I LOVE THE VERSION THAT HARRY CONNICK JR. DOES ON HIS ALBUM "OH MY NOLA"
Remember people where we were in the NH polls on the eve of the Iowa caucus. We were behind. We got a great boost when we own IA, we had big crowds in NH following IA, this should tell us that is not going to be an easy road but one thing the we know for sure is YES WE CAN win it all.
Let's be proud of this campaign because now every candidate has changed their message to our message. CHANGE. Who best can deliver it but us.
Remember people we are the wave and Barack is just riding it, our majority is carrying him as far as we can and should not give up. Let's get fired up, and change American one citizen at a time. Let's contribute to this campaign, volunteer, let our friends and famliy know why we like Barack and tell them to take a look at Barack. On election day take a friend to vote. Talk to your neighbours, colleagues at work the fellow sitting next to you on the bus, the homeless man you give money to, everything we can do to win this, for we have now seen who the clintons are. Going as far as Questioning Martin Luther King and giving credit to Lyndon johnson for Championing Civil rights, Bill Clinton getting mad at Richardson for tell his supporters to go with Barack because he gave him a job? I am a black person and I like barack becuase he never play the race card, and Clinton the so-called first black president now wants to make it all about race. These Clintons will stop at nothing to win, even sell the soul and integrity.
We voted for him over a two term VP and incumbent who won a war, back then experience wasn't an issue. give me a break.
And he got the nerve to call this movement a fairy tale.
People, YES WE CAN do this not for history but for a good and respected America.
Let's ask them the tough questions.
I received an email last night from a man who never took an interest in politics. He said YES WE CAN! And to my shock he told a coworker that he had made a contribution yesterday after the results were in because he wants to be a part of this particular fight. That I know is the first political donation this guy has ever made. I know this also that regardless of the outcome, once a guy gets involved in one campaign there is no chance that he will not become a part of the process. The nation is moving to Obama and the motto YES WE CAN will go with us.
So today we learn that there are discrepencies between the votes tallied by hand and those tallied by machine. I hope you have seen "Hacking Democracy", the documentary that exposed the wrong-doing by Diebold Election Systems (now known as Premier) who supplied New Hampshire with the electronic voting machines that were used last night.
The software that counts the votes was proven to be "hackable", votes can be switched and attributed to another candidate and the software engineers ensured that this process is undetectable. The conviction resulted in Diebold paying a fine in the millions. But that wasn't enough to stop them. It seems that they are at it again. Except this time we KNOW a lot MORE than we did before.
Yes, HOPE is important. Yes, CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN is important. But let's not forget HONESTLY is also an important element in the equation. To achieve the goal of uniting us and getting the USA back on track with honest humans in charge, you must be absolutely sure that the election results are CORRECT. And apparently the ARE NOT!
To sum up:
NH's voting machines were supplied by DIEBOLD Election Systems who was convicted for wrong-doing. To mask the stigma, Diebold changed its name in August 2007 to "Premier Election Systems". We will not be fooled. As Shakespeare said, "A criminal by any other name will still be as guilty!"
Mr Obama, you need to REQUEST A HAND RECOUNT in order to ensure that the election results "announced" reflect the true will of the people. PLEASE! We're counting on you. No pun intended.
Please have a look here:
Democracy for New Hampshire
Link
Citizens for Legitimate Government
Link
Film: Hacking Democracy
Link
Link
Congratulations on geting this far. Best of luck for the road the lies ahead.
Sincerely,
Debora
It's been a hard day for me, and for a lot of you all out there - but I am trying to keep hope alive. Just a few thoughts on my mind:
1 - In all honesty, I was disappointed with Barack's debate performance, even before the election results. I felt that he allowed Hillary to make wildly damaging claims about him without taking them on -- that was frustrating. Perhaps the campaign felt that he was in such a strong position that he didn't have to defend himself -- I think that was a mistake. And as much as I admire Senator Obama for actually taking the time to think about his answers instead of spewing out well rehearsed lines, I actually do wish he spent more time rehearsing. The faltering in his answers does not lend itself to a strong image. How can Barack give such fantastic speeches, but perform so poorly in debates? John Edwards was much stronger than he was.
- As much as I am a fan of the hope message, even i know that he cannot win on this alone. I hope coming out of NH, the campaign will take a page from Clinton's book and actually get a lot more vocal about Barack's positions on the issues -- and not just health care and Iraq. He needs to talk about what exactly he will do about the economy, and how exactly he will find the funding to pay for his education plan.
- He needs to strongly counter Clinton's experience claim. I suppose the challenge here is to do so in a way that does not make him come off as "the bad guy", but the truth is, if Senator Obama does not attack Clinton's ridiculous claim to 35 years of "experience", she has a good chance of winning the nomination.
If Barack says, "YES WE CAN", then I believe that, yes, we can!
So I promise to drive again from San Diego to Las Vegas next week, and canvass for 3-4 days, and make sure I participate in the turn-out-the-caucus effort on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 19th.
I have already made my little donation to continue building the momentum. Have you done your part today?
YES WE CAN!
We Americans are behind you in 100% and we must win the support of your new paradigm of American politics for change in Washington.
Regards, Nurul
Ever since the polarizing tactics during the feverishly narrow 2000 election, I've been disillusioned with American politics. With a president that is obviously unfit for office (even though being a nice enough guy) and an entourage (with the exception of Condy Rice) that is plain evil (Rove! Cheney! Rumsfeld! Wolfowitz!), I was wondering "what the heck happened, America?". It may sound like smug Euro-talk, but it is just a personal, genuine concern of where my favorite nation was going.
Even the Democrats disappointed. Even though I was very fond of Bill Clinton and his administration (I still childishly smile and nod "Mr.President" whenever I see Bill on screen), I noted that many Democrats became bitter, longing for past glories, ignoring the issues at hand and actually playing into GOP tactics: a divided nation wins the GOP elections, and they know it.
This is why I was inspired and impressed by Mr. Obama. Not only does he have the raw, charismatic appeal of a born leader, but reading his books and learning more about the man's standpoints have thoroughly convinced me of his quality. Especially when I've heard his live audio version of "Audacity of Hope", I thought: "He's so real. He means every word he says. And he's so right!" He's inspiring on a level rarely seen in the world, and seemingly not out of a political thirst for power, but a true commitment to the country and in what he believes in.
For the immediate task at hand, I believe Barack Obama will continue to have tough battles to fight. The Clintons have the partymachine, women's votes, and also many African-American votes. It would take a lot of courage and dare to pick Obama as the nominee. However, I simply believe he's the right man, at the right time, for the right job - based on his ideas, values and qualities as a human being. So join together, and make America back into that shining beacon of the world that we all love to work with, have fun with, and look up to.
Friendly greetings from Belgium,
Erwin
http://www.ronpaulwarroom.com/ ?p=655
Link
Spread the word! contact all the media!
here's cnn iReport address: Link
Link
http://www.ronpaulwarroom.com/ ?p=655
Link
I called the Obama campaign and they said they were made aware of the allegations this morning. They are exploring what they can do about it, but I think the media needs to be aware this is happening. What’s going to happen in the Primary States who use these machines, and worse, what will happen in the General Election?
I will be voting for you here in Massachusetts, and wish you all the luck in all of your primarys.
We win't give up!!
joansilva@verizon.net
I am moved to a point of personal crisis when I think of the fact that fear won over hope in the form of 6000 votes, IN MY NATION.
I will not stand by any longer, I will devote every second of my talent and my goodwill to the Barack campaign
Something definitely went wrong.It is left for Obama campaign to figure it out otherwise the trend might continue.
Something definitely went wrong.It is left for Obama campaign to figure it out otherwise the trend might continue.My feelings are telling me that the polls were rigged.I feel it in the inside of me.America,are you guys blind to what is happening?
Something definitely went wrong.It is left for Obama campaign to figure it out otherwise the trend might continue.
At any rate, Barack is also getting a lot of buzzz in Germany ( positive) and they are watching intently!!!!!
YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES HE CAN!
Something definitely went wrong.It is left for Obama campaign to figure it out otherwise the trend might continue.
OBAMA 08
We haven't the POWER (for good) at this time to directly confront such evil. Only through gaining power FIRST can we hope to have any effectiveness in indicting, prosecuting, and convicting such an outrage.
Peace,
I'm an OBAMA mama!! OBAMA '08!!
Here is what happened in NH:
1. The media and polls indicating an Obama win made lots of Indies, who love both Obama and Mcain, think that Clinton was done and Obama was going to win. That helped them moved to help Mcain win on the other side even though they love Obama more than mcain.
2.Clinton who never shows tears even during difficult times, like katrina for an example, played the women voter by showing some emotions at the very end. Funny thing is most of the media didn't show the part where she regains after just 10 seconds and go right on to attacking Obama. She still lost the young women vote.
3.Obama won the votes counted by hands and Clinton won those counted by machines. You can check that here..
Link
http://presscue.com/node/38034
I still think that the problems with counting votes using machine should be addressed very soon.
4. Obama was attacked from every corner of the clinton machine and sometimes I think we took a long time to respond.
am happy all this is happen very early and we have time to adjust and move on very strongly.
Am still fired up and giving more dollars for change.
YES WE CAN. President Obama 08.
Everyone can already feel it. That the brighter future is yet to come.
★Keep it up Obama!!!★
Fellow American,
Cecilia S. Lee - Seoul South Korea
What an awesome speech.
I love the crowd participation
and the silence at your command.
Obama is the one.
1-20-2009 our goal
Washington D.C.
P.S. call your friends and family and talk about politics and Obama, it is our America we need to fix it, Obama will guide us and we must participate!
I just got back home to California after spending almost a week in NH. I spent my primary day canvassing and then went out to the highschool to help setup everything for the rally that same night for Sen. Obama.
I know alot of people are sad and disappointed from the results in NH, I know I am. But ladies and gentlemen this is far from over! I was there in the crowed looking at a big projection screen that showed CNN ass the ballots came in. As HC kept going up and BO kept sliding down. Even though that was happening everyone was upbeat. Then when the AP announced there projection that HC will be the winner I saw a staff member go up to the podium and remove the folder with the papers that Barack was going to read from and put other ones. Thats when i knew that we werent going to beat Hillary. I was tending to the elderly on the side of the stage and they were all looking up and worried that it almost brought me to tears. It truly touched my heart that everyone that was there truly believed in Obama and his Message.
People I just wanted to remind you that it is not OVER BY A LONG SHOT! Maybe we all needed this so we can work harder and keep our guards up till the last minute. Maybe the nation needed this so everyone else thats around the states needs to know that he or she needs to vote because it could come to them to vote for change. Im sure that this will be a wake up call for alot of people who have been sitting on the sidelines for a while. You need to get out and vote people!
I just wanted to also remind people to keep the faith and to fight on. We can not and should not lose hope if we what all say is true about Barack and his message for change and hope. Change has happened before in this country so it is possible. Its not like were trying to do something that has never been done before.
Yes we can people change the destiny of this great nation. Yes we can make a difference and yes we can all vote!!
Im still fired up and ready to go!!
Obama 08
People, please, PLEASE go out and vote. Make a change. We can make America change.
In despite of the NH results... I believe the true winner is and will be Obama.
Obama forever!
And no one has been talking about what is likely to happen should Hillary actually be elected President: loss of democratic control in BOTH houses of Congress. She will ship so many anti-Hillary voters to the polls that, in states where she will easily win in a general election (like New Jersey or Michigan), the voters who want to bring her down will elect Republican representatives and senators to Congress. Then we have at least two more years of the toxic, divisive, partisan bickoring and name-calling and nothing will get done.
Call me crazy, but that's not changing anything in Washington.
We need a leader who transcends boundaries between race, gender, age, and most importantly, party affiliation. A leader who can rally up even those who don't share his values but trust his judgment. That leader is Barack Obama.
If you helped in starting this war in Iraq through your vote in woshington, you were wrong when it counted the most. That is your expirience. If you have been part of the fights that divided this country and woshington and helped deny the people well intended bills like good health care for everyone, you were wrong when it counted the most. That is your expirience. If you have more favours to give to special interests and lobbyists in woshington because they are fighting for you in this campaign; you are wrong when it counts the most. That is your expirience. If you believe in the bush foreign policy of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, you are wrong when it counts the most. That is your expirience. If you are scared to say or do the right thing even when it's unpopular, as a leader, you are wrong.
Expirience is like a real view mirror and while it shows us where you have been, it can't and shouldn't be used to tell us where we are going without good judgement; we can't look back to the future if we have to go forward to the future. We need a new leader with the right judgement, and the right expirience; a leader who will inspire us to unite for a common cause; who will do the right things when they count the most rather than do the wrong things and look for a chance to fix everything later. We have seen the cost of a broken system in blood, and poverty and in many other ways that we can't and shouldn't be scared of a new day. A better day. We need to know that Yes. we. can. If we have the courage to change. Obama 08.
PS. Hope you read it and decide if you can use any line here. Fighting for change.