Somehow, this went undiaried, although it was mentioned in a comment or two:
Rory Kennedy: Two fine choices, one clear decision - Obama
Recently, my mother, Ethel Kennedy, said of Obama: "I think he feels it. He feels it just like Bobby did. He has the passion in his heart. He's not selling you. It's just him."
I agree. Obama is a genuine leader. We Americans - women included - desperately need that kind of leader now. Not a president of a particular gender or a specific race, but a president with a different vision, one who inspires a sense of hope.
To elect Barack Obama is to choose a new direction, set a new course - to steer America toward a better place, better for women as well as men, better for us all.
Rory Kennedy, a documentary filmmaker, won an Emmy for her production and direction of "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib."
I'll keep this short and sweet. Usually the FP keeps everyone updated on this, and I know there's primary mania going on everywhere right now, but this is important:
In the final month, the DCCC raised $6.6 million to the NRCC’s $6.1 million. The NRCC has more cash ($5.4 million) than debt ($2.8 million) for the first time this cycle, having inherited a $15 million tab from last cycle.
The DCCC retains a huge cash advantage with $35.1 million on hand and $1.3 million in debt.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) held an even bigger fundraising edge over the GOP, pulling in $55.4 million to the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s (NRSC) $31.8 million.
These are some golden oldies as well as some newer speeches you may have missed. In my opinion, these are the seven speeches that have cemented Barack Obama in the mind of this nation. A couple days ago, this was posted, but with the title "The Obama Six." I felt that after last night, we now have a number seven:
NOTE: This is reposted in it's entirety for the benefit of those who may be in South Carolina, either deciding who to vote or looking for information with which to convince others to vote.
This will be the final installment of my "Obama: The Only Thing You Need to Know" series, which will also be my "closing argument". For what it's worth, I've been for an Obama presidency since 2004.
To me, it didn't matter when, or where, or how it happened. When you see a brilliant, inspiring man with real integrity and progressive ideals have a shot at the Presidency, it is my belief that you jump in head first and do everything you possibly can to make him the next President of the United States.
But where did this man come from? I was determined to find out..
These are some golden oldies as well as some newer speeches you may have missed. In my opinion, these are the six speeches that have cemented Barack Obama in the mind of this nation.
These are some golden oldies as well as some newer speeches you may have missed. In my opinion, these are the five speeches that have cemented Barack Obama in the mind of this nation.
What I meant to say is that somebody "anonymous" is push polling in South Carolina. Take a guess who the poll says favorable things about and who it says negative things about?
If your answer was Ron Paul, I think you might've missed the Republican nomination contest that already happened there.
If your answer is that they were positive about Hillary and negative about Obama, you've now hit the jackpot. Welcome to Democratic Push Polling.
People keep looking for our JFK, but we already found him.
His name is Barack Hussein Obama.
Want to know the only reason he isn't blowing away the primary process?
He's a black man named Barack Hussein Obama. It's nice to pat yourself on the back and say that doesn't matter anymore. But it does. He is such an excellent candidate that he's still in it in spite of that fact, not because that fact doesn't matter.
Does anyone seriously doubt that if Barack Obama was a white guy named John Smith there'd be any chance he wouldn't get the nomination?
Newsweek released a Who Can Win in November article in their print version on December 31st, 2007. It is now one of the lead stories at http://www.barackobama.com/.
A short quote: Barack Obama is "..the only one with a decent chance for a landslide."
Let me start by saying that Kid Oakland's endorsement is as powerful and well thought out as any establishment politicians endorsement I've seen to date, if not moreso. He embodies the progressive, netroots movement with his words, and gives better reason for us to find common cause with Barack Obama than any I've seen to date.
He points, as a large part of his decision, to Barack's opposition to the war in Iraq. And the speech. Yes, you know which speech I mean.
But I think many people missed his point. He posted that section of the speech for a reason, and I wanted to highlight that. This was originally going to be a comment on his post, but it got way too long for just a comment.
Please, follow me beneath the fold for an explanation...
Today, there was a big hubbub about Barack Obama's statements regarding Ronald Reagan. Personally, I think there's no need to rehash the many reasons they were fair and understandable, nor to harp on where it comes up short, as about 1000 diaries today have already done.
(Full Disclosure: I'm an Obama Supporter)
But today, I want to talk about what every single candidate for the Democratic nomination has in common with Ronald Reagan.
Tax Policy.
Follow me below the fold for an explanation. Because if we're ever going to win elections again, this is vital information.
BARACK OBAMA ANNOUNCES PLAN TO REVITALIZE ECONOMY AND PROTECT AMERICAN FAMILIES
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and Former Secretary of Commerce Bill Daley say plan will help jumpstart the economy; call for immediate implementation
CHICAGO, IL – Barack Obama today unveiled a plan to revitalize the economy in the short-term with a stimulus package that will immediately inject $75 billion into the economy in the form of tax cuts and direct spending targeted to working families, seniors, homeowners and the unemployed. The plan also includes $45 billion in reserves that can be injected into the economy quickly in the future if the economy continues to deteriorate. Obama will discuss the plan later today at events in Nevada.
I've been following the events in Michigan with great interest. It seems likely that Edwards supporters and Obama supporters together voting for uncommitted could possibly derail Clinton's assumed win in Michigan.
So who supports this? Well, pretty much every Democrat in Michigan.
Some electeds as well as bloggers and newspapers from Michigan weigh in below the fold, and on their behalf, I'd like to ask Kos to post about what Democrats who don't have a candidate in Michigan really should do: Vote Uncommitted.
In his latest column, while articulating the reasons David Brooks <3's Barack Obama, he lets us in on this little tidbit which, I think, says a lot about both men:</p>
Obama’s great skill is his ability to perceive and forge bonds with other people. Everybody who’s dealt with him has a story about a time when they felt Obama profoundly listened to them and understood them. One of mine came a few years ago.
I was writing columns criticizing the Republican Congress, but each time I’d throw in a few sentences slamming the Democrats, subconsciously trying to make myself feel good. One morning I got an e-mail message from Obama that roughly said: David, if you want to critique us, fine. But you’re just throwing in those stray sentences to make yourself feel good.
Wow. Somehow this gem passed through the media without much attention, but I cannot believe Hillary Clinton would make a gaffe of this size. Somewhere buried in an article about Clinton's rebuttal against her falling poll numbers:
She did not spare President Bush in her remarks, either. In Hampton on Sunday night, Mrs. Clinton ribbed Mr. Bush for saying he had looked into the soul of President Vladimir V. Putin. "I could have told him Putin was a K.G.B. agent," she said. "He has no soul."
A lot has been said about tonight and what it means for our American Democracy. But there is at least one thing that is certain: Democracy is alive and well in the heartland of America.
With over 236,000 people voting in the Democratic caucus, as opposed to 114,00 in the Republican caucus, Iowa told America that Democracy is not going to give in to security. Iowa told America that Americans still value freedom and liberty. Iowa voted for change. Iowa said, "We've made mistakes in the past. But the Democrats are my party. I may not be liberal, but I know enough to know that America is better than to be lead long by fear and hate."
This will be the final installment of my "Obama: The Only Thing You Need to Know" series, which will also be my "closing argument". For what it's worth, I've been for an Obama presidency since 2004.
To me, it didn't matter when, or where, or how it happened. When you see a brilliant, inspiring man with real integrity and progressive ideals have a shot at the Presidency, it is my belief that you jump in head first and do everything you possibly can to make him the next President of the United States.
But where did this man come from? I was determined to find out..
(Cross-Posted at Bleeding Heartland and Blue Hampshire)
OK, so I'm bored of the primaries already. Aren't you? Yesterday I wrote a diary about political punk, and some people on here seemed to have come into politics out of the same world.
I am curious what punk / hardcore / alternative music you grew up listening to that inspired you, if any, to get involved or care about politics? Give me your list.
