OBAMA DAILY NEWS THREAD - Thursday Feb-21-08

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

WELCOME TO THE OBAMA DAILY NEWS THREAD
Thursday Feb-21-08

Feb 21, 2008 Obama Set To Square Off In Texas Debate - Will Be Candidates Only Texas Debate

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[WillYourVoteBCounted]

1. Countdown: The Implications Behind O’Reilly’s “Lynching Party” Quote

February 21st, 2008
Countdown: The Implications Behind O’Reilly’s “Lynching Party” Quote

Keith Olbermann brings on Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson to discuss the horrific history behind Bill O’Reilly’s casual and callous use of the phrase “lynching party” in reference to Michelle Obama’s quote about being really proud of this country and the implications one may draw from it.

You know what lynching was? Lynching was a horrific practice of murder, torture, dismemberment, burning alive, hanging, and the only purpose of lynching was to perpetuate white supremacy in the Jim Crow south. It wasn’t…the idea of course, wasn’t to lynch all black people, but by lynching a few black people…not a few, by lynching some black people to demonstrate to other African Americans that this could happen to you, that you have no power, that we have all the power, and that we can take anything we want from you, including your life. There’s nothing funny about lynching. There’s certainly nothing at all funny or remotely appropriate about the use of a lynching reference to talk about Michelle Obama. And the word “unless” followed by “we’ll track it down,” is way beyond the pale.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

2. Change To Win Labor Federation Endorses Obama

Change To Win Labor Federation Endorses Obama
by Todd Beeton, Thu Feb 21, 2008

Change To Win Endorses Obama
UPDATE, 10:30 Eastern Time, Feb. 21:

Change To Win has officially decided to throw its endorsement behind Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), according to Anna Burger, the chair of the group.

"Change to Win is excited to announce the endorsement of Barack Obama for President. We are the unions that organize and mobilize working people and believe that we can make a huge difference on the ground in the upcoming primaries. Change To Win is the new labor movement, the labor movement of the 21st century and we are excited about our ability to make a difference."

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/02/change_to_win_to_consider_obam.html?nav=rss_blog

[babylonsister]

3. A new face for American diplomacy

Thank you for doing this! :hi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=339737&mesg_id=339737

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/02/21/obama_muslims/index.html

A new face for American diplomacy
Barack Obama is perceived by Muslims abroad like no other candidate. He would begin a presidency with tremendous potential to heal U.S. relations with much of the world.

By Hooman Majd

snip//

Iran will continue to pose one of the prime foreign policy challenges for the next U.S. president. In Tehran, I know, politicians and ordinary Iranians alike would welcome an Obama presidency -- particularly as Iran's own presidency is up for grabs six months after the next U.S. president takes office. Even Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may well be looking forward to a day when he has no more excuses to avoid talking to the "Great Satan." In January, he made an unprecedented announcement about relations between Iran and the United States: "Not having relations with America is one of our main policies, but we have never said this relationship should be cut forever," Khamenei said in a speech in the central province of Yazd, as reported by Iranian state television. "Certainly, the day when having relations with America is useful for the nation I will be the first one to approve this relationship."

Even Iran's arch-conservatives have realized that Iran's chronic economic problems as well as its long-term growth, political stability and national security will be better addressed by a thaw and gradual normalization of relations with the world's leading superpower. With Obama as president, the "Great Satan" would surely have to be renamed anyway; Satan, after all, could not have the middle name of Hussein.

While some Americans might be uncomfortable with a President Obama running around the world making deals with what they consider unsavory regimes and characters, perhaps they shouldn't be so worried. If anything, it's the Republicans more than the Democrats who have run around the world in the past making deals with unsavory regimes and characters. (They conveniently just don't call them unsavory at the time, knowing that Americans by and large are incurious about foreign affairs.)

Obama has spoken clearly about his vision for defending American security and interests. "We can create the kind of foreign policy that will make us safe and will lead to renewed respect of America around the world," he reiterated in a speech Tuesday night, at a campaign rally in Houston, Texas. "You know, as your commander in chief, my job will be to keep you safe ... And I will not hesitate to strike against any who would do us harm. I will do whatever is required." That would include hunting down terrorists, securing loose nuclear weapons, and deploying the U.S. military wisely, he said. He further underscored his foreign policy paradigm: "I want to rediscover the power of our diplomacy. I said early in this campaign I would meet not just with our friends, but also with our enemies ... I remember what John F. Kennedy said. He said we should never negotiate out of fear, but we should never fear to negotiate. Strong countries and strong presidents talk to their adversaries, and tell them where America stands, and try to resolve differences without resort to war. And when we do that, I believe the world is waiting. I want to go before the world community and say, 'America's back, and we are ready to lead.'"

Obama has also surrounded himself with capable and respected foreign policy advisors, including seeking advice from a preeminent and forceful U.S. negotiator, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, whose reputation overseas is less sullied than it is back home. With foreign policy, there is no indication Obama will give away the store or, contrary to what his opponents might charge, that he will be a Chamberlain-like appeaser.

Rather, a President Obama will likely engage the world in the way it should be engaged -- with respect, understanding and a clear sense of purpose. He will be, at the very least, a symbol of what can restore greatness to America -- a greatness that millions of people outside America want to believe in, but have up until now had difficulty reconciling with the facts. From their perspective, if a black son-of-an-immigrant with a Muslim name can become an American president, then anything truly is possible in America. And that's a country that would be very hard to be enemies with.

[babylonsister]

4. Battle for Texas Latino vote challenges conventional wisdom

Battle for Texas Latino vote challenges conventional wisdom
Some analysts say Clinton is the front-runner, but a new report shows Obama has erased her advantage among Latinos.

By Juan Castillo
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Political strategists trying to size up the race between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are talking a lot about former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk these days.

When he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2002, Kirk — an African American originally from East Austin — was virtually unknown in predominantly Mexican American South Texas. So, he blitzed the region, appearing there 15 times during his campaign.

It was a reliable strategy thatpaid off in one of the poorest regions in the nation but historically one of the richest sources of Democratic votes in Texas.

"It was a love affair, if you will," Kirk recalled. "They fell in love with me, and I did fall in love with them."

In fact, Kirk beat a Hispanic candidate in the primary with strong support among Latinos statewide.

Though he ultimately lost to Republican John Cornyn, Kirk's success with Hispanics undermines the oft-quoted idea that antipathy between blacks and Latinos will hinder Obama's own pursuit of Hispanic votes.

more...

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/02/20/0220latvote.html

From here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=108x126023

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

5. Independent Group to Air TV Ads Echoing Clinton Attacks on Obama

Hillary Clinton's campaign is nearly broke, her donor base is limited, so
this 527 gives the maxed out donors another way to help her.

Independent Group to Air TV Ads Echoing Clinton Attacks on Obama


» WHEN MONEY TALKS |

As Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton launches fresh attacks on Sen. Barack Obama after a string of electoral defeats,
several of her major financial backers have formed an independent group to air television advertisements
echoing her message that she is more qualified than Obama to fix the economy.

By Matthew Mosk

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

6. Forbes: Today on the Presidential Campaign Trail

Today on the Presidential Campaign Trail

By The Associated Press 02.21.08

IN THE HEADLINES

McCain says report suggesting inappropriate relationship "not true" ...

Obama wins Democrats Abroad global primary, his 11th straight victory ...

FEC chair says McCain can't withdraw from public financing until loan questions resolved ...

Change to Win labor federation backs Barack Obama for president ...

Clinton urges Texas supporters to vote early ...

Huckabee casts himself as Washington outsider best to address change ...

Feingold says he's 'inclined' to support Obama in 2008 race

McCain says report is "not true"

details at the link

[babylonsister]

7. Barack Obama declines to comment on McCain

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/barack_obama_declines_to_comme.html

Barack Obama declines to comment on McCain

by John McCormick

AUSTIN, Texas -- Sen. Barack Obama declined to comment today on a blockbuster story in the New York Times about a relationship between Sen. John McCain and a Washington lobbyist.

During a tour of a football facility at the University of Texas, Nedra Pickler, a reporter for The Associated Press, asked Obama whether McCain had an inappropriate relationship with lobbyists. She was immediately scolded by head coach Mack Brown.

"Do you know it's inappropriate while we have his time to ask him these inappropriate questions?" Brown asked.

Said Obama with a grin, joking: "Coach solved that one, didn't he? Shame on you Nedra."

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

10. good for him

I read somewhere that Obama's unlikely strategy of not attacking the other candidates
had broken the rules of politics by actually working.

No one wins by attacking a war hero.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

8. Obama To Receive Endorsement Of Cleveland Mayor

Obama To Receive Endorsement Of Cleveland Mayor
February 21, 2008

Sen. Barack Obama received the endorsement of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson on Thursday, at an event with Obama's wife Michelle at Cleveland State.

Obama now has the backing of the mayors of Ohio's top two cities: Columbus -- whose mayor Michale Coleman announced his support in October -- and Cleveland.

Both Jackson and Coleman's support should play a helpful role for Obama in the state's upcoming March 4 primary. Sen. Hillary Clinton deemed Ohio (and Texas) as her campaign's firewall. And while the New York Democrat holds a relatively substantial lead in recent polls, Obama has recently gained steam, aided in part by his 11 straight primary wins.

Jackson, the first African-American Italian mayor of the city, won election in November 2005 with 55 percent of the vote. His brief tenure has, for the most part, been a positive one, as he has pushed for changes in the city's police force and a joint-tax sharing venture between Cleveland and its suburbs. Recently, he snubbed his local congressman and former presidential candidate Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio), by endorsing Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman to take his seat.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

9. Clinton Aides Split On Whether To Attack Obama ... Asking Supporters For Advice

Clinton Aides Split On Whether To Attack Obama ... Asking Supporters For Advice

Clinton Aides Split on How to Take On Obama

By ADAM NAGOURNEY
Published: February 21, 2008
WASHINGTON — When Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton meets Senator Barack Obama at a one-on-one debate in Austin on Thursday night, one of her final opportunities to change the course of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, she will again face the challenge that has repeatedly stymied her: how to discredit her popular opponent without hurting herself.

Skip to next paragraph
Enlarge This Image

Jacob Silberberg for The New York Times
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday at Hunter College in New York. Mrs. Clinton’s advisers are divided on strategy.

With the Texas primary approaching, Senator Barack Obama’s rally Wednesday in Dallas.
Even now, after a string of defeats, her advisers are divided over how to proceed as they head toward what could be her last stands, in Ohio and Texas on March 4.

Some — led by Mark Penn, her chief strategist — have been pushing Mrs. Clinton to draw sharper and deeper contrasts with Mr. Obama, arguing that she has no other option, campaign officials said.

Others, particularly Mandy Grunwald, her media adviser, have pushed for a less aggressive approach, arguing that attacks would not help Mrs. Clinton’s campaign in an environment in which she is increasingly appearing to struggle, aides said...

[grantcart]

11. There has been a major change in Super Delegates and I will keep

updating it through the day. Please keep kicking it so it stays visible

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4690456&mesg_id=4690456

[grantcart]

12. Since that was posted there have been 4 more delegates for Obama

2-20-08 - Moved DNC John Rednour (IL) to Obama from Clinton. His son, also John Rednour, is on Clinton's steering committee
- Added DNC Donald Norcross (NJ) for Obama.
- Switched DNC Dana Redd (NJ) from Clinton to Obama
- Added Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX) , Rep. Ron Kind (WI)

Here are the most recent 4
, Rep. Kathy Castor (FL) for Obama
2-21-08 - Added DNC Jason Rae (WI) for Obama.
- Added DNC Margaret Xifaras (MA) for Obama
- Added Rep. Steve Kagen (WI) for Obama

[goclark]

13. K

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

14. For Some Superdelegates, a Chance for Revenge

When Super Delegates Strike Back

For Some Superdelegates, a Chance for Revenge
by Steve Kornacki | February 21, 2008




It should come as no surprise that Democratic Party officials haven’t exactly been rallying to Hillary Clinton in her time of need.

While most Democratic voters remember Bill Clinton’s presidency with fondness,
as the era of peace and prosperity and two straight wins in presidential elections,

more than a few elected officials and Democratic leaders remember him as the selfish careerist who, time and again, threw them all under the bus.

Sure, he won re-election in 1996—the first Democrat to do so since Franklin Roosevelt—but at a steep price for the party.

When he came to power, Democrats enjoyed overwhelming majorities in the House and the Senate,
marking only the second time since the end of L.B.J.’s presidency that the party controlled both the executive
and legislative branches. But when he left, the G.O.P. owned both houses of Congress, the presidency and a majority of governorships—and within two years, Republicans gained a majority of seats in state legislatures for the first time in five decades....

[grantcart]

16. Pictures tell it so much better lol

[goclark]

15. Thanks

for the Code Rapper

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

17. Saturday Night Live's Obama problem

SNL Can't Ignore Obama Anymore

by Jason Horowitz | February 20, 2008 |
So Saturday Night Live is finally addressing its Barack Obama problem.
When last I spoke to SNL's writers and its creator, Lorne Michaels --
way back in the old days, when Hillary Clinton was still the consensus front-runner-by-a-mile --
they didn't think he was funny enough to lampoon. Now, I guess, they've got no choice.

[MadBadger]

18. Another Wisconsin Superdelegate, Steve Kagan Endorsed Obama

He said he would endorse whoever won his district, and Obama took it with 56 percent

[MadBadger]

19. Russ Feingold is now leaning towards Obama

[catgirl]

20. Obama Gains in Pennsylvania (Franklin and Marshall College poll)

http://www.wgal.com/download/2008/0220/15357472.pdf

Hillary 44, Obama 32, 20% undecided

Just one month ago Clinton had a 20 pt. lead

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

21. Make That 11 for Obama

February 21, 2008, 1:15 pm
Make That 11 for Obama
By Brian Knowlton

WASHINGTON — Senator Barack Obama won his 11th straight nominating contest on Thursday, carrying the Democrats Abroad global primary by a 2-to-1 margin over Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and prevailing among American expatriates in every region of the world.
The results represented thousands of ballots submitted from Americans in 164 countries and territories from Feb. 5 to 12.

The overseas Democrats were allocating a small number of delegates –­ 4.5 — on Thursday, under a proportional system that allotted 2.5 to Obama and 2 to Clinton. A further 2.5 will be determined at a Democrats Abroad convention on April 12 in Vancouver, Canada. The group also holds 4 superdelegate votes, for a total of 11 votes at the national convention in late August in Denver.
But in a close contest, Democrats Abroad said they felt particularly engaged.

Democrats Abroad for the first time allowed votes to be cast online, though others were cast by mail, fax or in person, and they came in “from Antarctica to Zambia ­– from A to Z,” said Christine Schon Marques, the group’s international chair, in a phone interview from Geneva. “Many people overseas are very concerned about the war in Iraq; they’re looking for change.”

...
Mr. Obama won by strong majorities in every region and nearly every country. The senator, who was born in Hawaii, did particularly well in the Asia-Pacific region, winning 79 percent of the vote in Japan and 76 percent in Indonesia, where he lived as a youth. He also did well in Europe, carrying more than 70 percent of the vote in France and Switzerland.
Mrs. Clinton won in Israel, the Dominican Republic and the Philippines...

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

22. Profiles of the Candidates: "The Supervisor, the Champion, and the Promoter"

Emily Yoffe does a fascinating psychological profile of the three presidential candidates.
It actually IS an interesting and fun read.

The Supervisor, the Champion, and the Promoter

What psychological personality tests reveal about Clinton, Obama, and McCain.
By Emily Yoffe

Posted Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008,
Emily Yoffe was online on Feb. 21 to chat with readers about this article. Read the transcript.



During the 2000 presidential campaign, I applied the principles of personality assessment, based on the theories of psychiatrist Carl Jung, to candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore. Forgive me if it sounds like gloating, but here's what my research revealed about the personality type of the future 43rd president of the United States: "They are decisive and little bothered by second thoughts and self-doubt." "Since do not reflect very much on their errors or analyze their mistakes to any great extent, it is difficult for them to learn from their errors, and so they can become caught in a loop, repeating their mistakes."

It's time again to apply the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to our presidential candidates. (I did not include Mike Huckabee in my evaluations, because I couldn't bring myself to imagine a Huckabee administration.) The MBTI was developed by a mother-daughter team that wanted a practical application for the ideas of personality developed by Jung. By mixing and matching four poles of personal style—extravert and introvert being the best known—the women came up with 16 personality types. Read more about it here. ...


...Hillary Clinton is a Guardian, and her specific type is an ESTJ, what Keirsey calls "the Supervisor." ...Barack Obama—no one will be surprised to learn—is an Idealist. His specific type is an ENFP, what Keirsey calls "the Champion." ENFPs, says Keirsey, are "filled with conviction that they can easily motivate those around them." ...John McCain is an Artisan, and his specific type is an ESTP, what Keirsey calls the Promoter. The ESTP is, according to Keirsey, "practical, optimistic, cynical, and focused on the here and now."

read more at the link

[babylonsister]

23. Obama campaign criticizes pro-Clinton 527 group

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/obama_campaign_criticizes_proc.html

Obama campaign criticizes pro-Clinton 527 group

by John McCormick

AUSTIN, Texas – Sen. Barack Obama's campaign is criticizing an outside group that has been launched to help Sen. Hillary Clinton in the days before primaries in four states on March 4.

The group, American Leadership Project, a so-called 527 committee, has prepared television ads that are expected to run in Ohio and perhaps in other states.

In a conference call with reporters this afternoon, Bob Bauer, a lawyer for Obama's campaign, called the effort a "cold, calculated move to violate the law."

An initial ad, posted on YouTube, shows pictures of Clinton, while it takes subtle swipes at Obama without specifically naming him.

"If speeches could create jobs, we wouldn't be facing a recession," the ad says, a similar line of attack Clinton has used herself in recent days.

Asked whether Obama's campaign would actually file a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, he suggested that would be left to others. "I don't think we will be the only ones raising the stakes extremely high for this organization," he said.