Obama: Positive Vibrations

[H2O Man]

{1} "Senator Edward M. Kennedy, rejecting entreaties from the Clintons and their supporters, is set to endorse Senator Barack Obama’s presidential bid on Monday as part of an effort to lend Kennedy charisma and connections before the 22-state Feb. 5 showdown for the Democratic nomination.

"Both the Clintons and their allies had pressed Mr. Kennedy for weeks to remain neutral in the Democratic race, but Mr. Kennedy had become increasingly disenchanted with the tone of the Clinton campaign, aides said. He and former President Bill Clinton had a heated telephone exchange earlier this month over what Mr. Kennedy considered misleading statements by Mr. Clinton about Mr. Obama, as well as his injection of race into the campaign. …." – New York Times; Kennedy Chooses Obama, Spurning Plea by Clintons; January 28, 2008

Among the numerous news reports about the democratic primary this week are two that remind me of Senator Ted Kennedy’s endorsement of Barack Obama. The first is Bill Clinton’s claim that Bill Richardson "promised" him that he would not endorse Obama; and second is the report that Hillary Clinton, in a last ditch attempt to persuade Richardson to not make his endorsement, said that "Obama can’t win."

The discussions between Bill Clinton and two of the top democratic leaders in the country show that the former president reacts angrily when he finds that they support Barack Obama. With Richardson, it is evident that Bill felt there was an issue of loyalty involved. Even if we support Barack Obama, I think we can appreciate that a person could react angrily when they believe someone betrayed a sense of loyalty.

So James Carville was tasked with publicly calling Bill Richardson a "Judas," and spreading details of Bill Clinton’s interpretation of his talks with Richardson. This is the same James who was revealed in Woodward’s "State of Denial" as giving inside information from the 2004 Kerry campaign to his wife Mary Matalin, who then delivered it to her boss, VP Dick Cheney. And the same Carville who hosted a fund-raiser for I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby in his home. Who better to call Bill Richardson a "Judas," I ask?

Hillary Clinton’s statement that Obama can’t win is also interesting. From everything that I have seen, I am confident that Senator Clinton sincerely believes that she would be more likely to win the general election in November. It is almost certain that she believes, based upon polls, that Barack Obama would have a far more difficult battle in the general election, and that if he is the nominee, that John McCain would be elected to the third term of the Bush 2 presidency. So I have no problem with her saying what she did.

But Senator Kennedy’s reading of the polls makes more sense to me. After a careful and detailed study, Ted Kennedy concluded that four things were true: that Hillary Clinton’s "negatives" were so high, that she would not win in November if she were the nominee; that Barack Obama would be able to win the general election; that the Clinton campaign was engaged in negative tactics that threatened to cause serious fractures within the party; and that the "coat tails" issue indicated a Clinton candidacy would make congressional and state-wide elections more difficult, while an Obama candidacy would help the party make significant gains across the board.

{2} "A year later, near the end of Mr. Obama’s first year in the Senate, Ethel Kennedy asked him to speak at a ceremony for her husband’s 80th birthday. At the time, she referred to Mr. Obama as ‘our next president.’

" ‘I think he feels it. He feels it just like Bobby did,’ Mrs. Kennedy said in an interview that day, comparing her late husband’s quest for social justice to Mr. Obama’s. ‘He has the passion in his heart. He’s not selling you. It’s just him.’ " –NY Times; 1-28-08

There are going to be some important contests in the nest three months. The Obama campaign is in a position of strength. Our candidate is winning because he offers a positive democratic message, rather than the negative message of fear that we associate with republicans.

I am hoping that Obama supporters will continue to follow our candidate’s lead, and focus on the positive things that our campaign offers to this country. There will be some people who react angrily, who say that Obama can’t win, and who may even say that they will not vote for Barack Obama in November. We are only responsible for our own actions. And it is more responsible, in terms of electing Obama and making gains in congress and in state elections, that we stay positive.

In the past, I’ve spoken about the three groups we find in every election: those who support you; those who oppose you; and the undecided. It is important to try to widen your "group a" base, by making sure that family, friends and neighbors are registered voters. Also, it is important to reach out to "group c," with letters to the editor and similar actions. And it is also important to avoid engagements with "group b," unless it is in a setting that helps reach "group c" voters.

As a general rule, when we are involved in discussions – be they on campus, at work, or even on the internet – we should avoid attempts by those in "group b" to engage in arguments in which their goal is simply to fan the flames of anger, and to divide the democratic party. What they say and how they vote is not our responsibility. That’s up to them. Our focus has to be to send out those ripples of positive energy that Senator Robert Kennedy spoke of in South Africa years ago, and that Ethel Kennedy has concluded that Senator Obama represents today.

The Obama campaign is leading in the number of primaries won, in caucuses won, in popular vote, and in fund-raising. Those are all significant "positives." The "super delegates" are comparing two candidates’ campaigns: one who is winning with a positive message of hope we can believe in, and one who is losing with a negative message, which is reportedly trying to scare the super delegates with Rev. Wright.

The Obama campaign’s positives mean that we have no need to step into the gutter. We can keep it positive. And we will continue to win.

(Note: I have no idea why the second half of this came out in different type. It was unintended.)

[stellanoir]

1. Did you see this . . . ?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/01/AR2008040100885_pf.html

Richardson responds reasonably.

[H2O Man]

2. Yes, I did.

Thank you for adding that to this thread. I think it shows the type of person that Governor Richardson is. He comes across as honest. His sense of integrity comes through, and I believe that is why he endorsed Obama.

[stellanoir]

4. You are very welcome

and I agree.

The degree of disingenuousness and desperation coming out of the Clinton camp is really quite stunning IMHO.

[H2O Man]

6. I agree.

We are witnessing people from their campaign staff to grass roots supporters reacting angrily. It is important that Obama supporters not respond to this type of thing.

[niceypoo]

61. Obama has been letting his supporters spew venom on his behalf for months

Which is exactly what Bush did in 2000 and 2004. Randy Rhodes is a result of Obama allowing it to run out of control, it is turning into open hatred for many. Until he tells his allies in the media and his supporters to stop their smear campaign, I see no difference whatsoever between him, Clinton and McCain. Three republicans running.

http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2004/08/28/moore_rove_swift_boat/">Smear Artist

"Rove developed a template for smearing opponents. The goal was to have his candidates hover above the fray while urging their opponents to concentrate on issues, thereby constantly putting them in a position of having to play defense and deny unfounded accusations. Eventually, the Rove client, according to the script, would step out to demand an end to the ugliness. Of course, Rove wrote the narrative of these plans in such a way that calling for a truce would not occur until the damage had already been done to his opposition."

[mhoran]

64. So you're saying that...

...Obama is somehow orchestrating a smear campaign by his supporters? Would you care to offer some proof or evidence of this? Of course, not...there isn't any. Which makes your post exactly what you are railing against - an unsubstantiated smear.

[H2O Man]

65. Please

do not encourage the people who want to cause dissent to post here.

[ginnyinWI]

22. the best line was "That era....has passed" n/t

[stellanoir]

24. Yup

It certainly has.

In all the rancor over sexism and racism, I really feel ageism is a much stronger factor.

That coupled with Clinton fatigue will sink her.

[crispini]

3. .

:kick:

[H2O Man]

5. Interesting news ....

MSNBC reported that NJ Governor Jon Corzine, a democratic "super delegate," said that he reserves the right to change his vote from Senator Clinton to Senator Obama, if Obama wins the popular vote.

[Coexist]

9. Oh my -

now he may be on 'the list'

I hope this ends soon so we can concentrate on McCain!

[Me.]

45. That Corzine Thing Is Big, Or In DU Parlance, Hugh

Blows me away

[IsItJustMe]

7. Wise. Will try to keep it in mind. Must admit that I do fall short in this area at times though.

[H2O Man]

10. As the news

becomes increasingly positive for the Obama campaign -- for example, as more "super delegates" move towards Obama -- there is an increasingly negative reaction on the part of some of the Clinton campaign/supporters. And as that happens, it can be hard for Obama supporters to not respond to some of the negative things we see and hear. But it is also more important that we do. (The "let it sink" concept remains the best way to "respond" to the attempts to stir the pot of hostility.)

The truth is that far more of the "super delegates" have made up their minds than are being reported in the media. Again, in the context of the "behindthe scenes" activities, as things continue to become more positive for Obama, the other campaign becomes increasingly negative. Hence their attempts to use Rev. Wright as a fear factor.

[mmonk]

8. The Obama campaign has been pushing hard

as each primary state comes up in the registering of new voters. This registration upsurge is something that can give untold advantages to democrats running across the board. Many party leaders are beginning to see this.

[H2O Man]

12. Right.

Our party's "leaders" see the number of voters being registered, and something else: they see how much money the Obama campaign has raised. The energy of the Obama movement appeals to the better nature of politicians who are serious about restoring our Constitutional democracy. It shows that we have the vehicle and the fuel to make progressive advances across the country.

[kevinmc]

11. The Majority of the Country wants Positive ....

we have gone almost 8 solid not stop negative fear mongering BS years. I am glad younger people are getting the numbers up and hopefully they will make a difference for a Positive future. Time for a new generation to take charge.

[H2O Man]

16. Yes.

I think that bringing the younger generation into this is very important.

Also, Obama will be in a position to bring the most talented democrats in the country together in his administration. That is something that is available to those who concentrate on the positive message of "Yes, We Can!"

[PA Democrat]

13. Great post H2O Man. As a former Edwards supporter, I have to say that

after Edwards dropped out, I was leaning toward Obama, based upon his stance on the Iraq War. What has placed me firmly in his camp is the overall positive tone of Obama's rhetoric, as well as seeing my 18 year old son's reaction to Obama. I am encouraged by how Obama is mobilizing new voters and young people.

[H2O Man]

17. I keep thinking

of the difference between Obama inspiring young people to register to vote, and McCain being part of the machine that forces young people to register with the Selective Services.

[PA Democrat]

25. I know. My son registered to vote on the same day he registered for the selective service.

I know he realizes how important his vote is to prevent that selective service registration from becoming a threat. He tries to talk to some of his friends, but so many of them don't believe that war will touch them personally.

[walldude]

50. With General Cody, Army Vice Chief Of Staff

warning people yesterday that the army doesn't have the manpower or the equipment to even defend us let alone launch another crazy war,(he even mentioned the "D" word) it's no wonder young people are mobilizing. My oldest will be draft age before the next 4 year term is up. Another reason I prefer Obama.. But any Democrat will do at this point..

[BumRushDaShow]

14. K&R

:kick:

[H2O Man]

21. Thank you. n/t

[blogslut]

15. K&R

I try to be positive but I am weak. I shall try to do better.

I know that this is just a message board and that the majority of posters have their minds made up. Regardless, I also believe that there are folks who are unsure and are still willing to hear. I also know that people spread good ideas by word of mouth and those good ideas will expand far outside of DU.

[H2O Man]

23. This has turned

into a tough fight, and it is only natural that people on both sides have both felt insulted, and lashed out. That happens.

I agree that DU provides a wealth of information for people to take from here and use to campaign at work, on campus, in letters to the editor, and in their community.

[antigop]

18. H20Man, didn't you used to be a boxer?

Thought you might want to see this thread...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3098646

[H2O Man]

20. Yep.

I sure did. And that is an interesting OP .... it's funny, because my younger son and I were just talking about the democratic primary in terms of a boxing match. (He's out doing roadwork right now!)

[ginnyinWI]

19. Winning with a positive message

That is what the Obama campaign is all about, and what we as Obama supporters at DU should also be about. Like the old adage says, "if you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all."

We need to take as role models Obama's surrogates: Kennedy, Kerry, Richardson, McCaskill and others. They will criticize Obama's opponents on their policies, but not launch personal attacks. Obama too, of course. On Ed Schultz yesterday, Ed threw him a softball about McCain, how he has a quick temper. But Obama just calmly acknowledged that everyone has seen McCain's temper, but then brought it back to policy issues. It would have been so easy for him to take a cheap shot at McCain--but he didn't.

That's how we need to act here. Seems to me that the majority of us are acting civil. The rest of us just need to get a grip on those flying fingers at the keyboard. It's easy and fun for the moment, but damaging. If you need something to tell yourself at moments like that, just think that the haters are very happy to get something to push back against, and feel morally superior about. Don't make them happy!

Another thing we can do besides restraining our own fingertips: we can rebuke fellow Obama supporters when they do it. That might mean more than when opponents do it.

[liberaldem4ever]

26. I love reading your posts ginnyinWI

That is a great message. I feel like that too. I've read several positive messages from both sides today and I hope that it keeps up. All the anger back and forth is only helping McCain in the fall. I have 4 draft age sons and cringe at the thought of President "100 year war" McCain.

[Voice for Peace]

27. bold text... you bold it at the beginning, and have to un-bold it when you

want it to stop. in brackets b (bold), then in brackets: /b (un-bold)

Thanks for a great post, K&R

[H2O Man]

30. Thanks.

I am from the stone age, in terms of understanding "technology." (grin) The had typed theessay on "word pad," then copied and pasted it on DU and the other sites I contribute to. It turned out "normal" on the other sites.

[ekwhite]

57. I'm only bronze age when it comes to HTML myself

I believe the reason it comes out differently in DU is they have a different way of implementing HTML - with square brackets [] instead of angle brackets <>.

BTW - does anyone who actually knows what they are talking about when it comes to HTML have a comment? I'm a microbiologist, not a programmer.

[blogslut]

62. This board uses UBB code

Or a derivative of it. But, you are correct. One should use these [] instead of these <>. My guess is Mr. Waterman forgot to close a boldface font tag. No bigs. Happens all the time.

[myrna minx]

28. K&R.

I find this very encouraging. I try to keep positive, but I, too, have spent my time in the gutter during this primary season. We need to keep our eyes on the prize and not muck around with the petty squabbles. Yes We Can!


"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars" -Oscar Wilde

[H2O Man]

31. I think that

after enduring almost 8 years of the viciousness of the Bush-Cheney administration, that we can expect people -- including those of us who have supported any of the announced democratic candidates in this primary -- might have a bit of anger and frustration that gets vented now and then. And we know that there are times when it's good to vent, and times when it is better to promote the positive. We are in a stretch where, for the next 90 days, that it is important that we are staying positive.

[Bonobo]

29. Kick

[H2O Man]

32. Positive Vibrations

by Bob Marley


.....

If you get down and you quarrel everyday,
You're saying prayers to the devils, I say. Wo-oh-ooh!
Why not help one another on the way?
Make it much easier. (Just a little bit easier)

Say you just can't live that negative way,
If you know what I mean;
Make way for the positive day,
'Cause it's news (new day) - news and days -
New time (new time), and if it's a new feelin' (new feelin'), yeah! -
Said it's a new sign (new sign):
Oh, what a new day! ......

Rastaman vibration, yeah! (Positive!)
I'n'I vibration, yeah! (Positive!) Uh-huh-huh, a yeah!
Iyaman Iration, yeah! (Irie ites!) Wo-oo-oh!
*Positive vibration, yeah! (Positive!)

[Me.]

33. Coattails

The Clintons never had them and from what I've read they don't care about them. It was why we lost the Congress when he was prez. The strategy, until Dean, has been to concentrate on the big, mostly industrial, states. I've never agreed with that as it's risky and in essence says to a good portion of the country that we either don't want, or need, you. Why would they vote for dems if they never come "courtin" That strategy became a self fulfilling prophesy.

I heard, this morning, someone describing Obama's campaign as the new paradigm. Bottom up is good for the country and bodes well for the future if the beltway babies and the DLCers get a clue.

I understand the Carnivals are leaving DC. Not a minute too soon as they have jumped the crawfish. But hasn't NO had a hard enough time already?

[H2O Man]

34. If Obama was not running,

it is possible that Senator Clinton would have been in a position to help democratic candidates across the country. Again, I think more highly of her than of her husband. The issue of Bill Clinton reacting so extremely to people like Bill Richardson publicly and Ted Kennedy privately is the type of thing that indicates the Clinton campaign of today could also damage democratic candidates.

[Me.]

35. That Is A Sentiment Echoed By Many

on the state and local level

[H2O Man]

38. Right.

More people have been lining up with the Obama campaign in the past two months. That translates into his being able to deliver more for the party in the fall.

[berni_mccoy]

36. Nominated.

Another awesome post H2O Man.

[calimary]

37. Agreed completely!

I always enjoy H2O Man's posts. I always learn something.

[H2O Man]

39. Thank you.

[grantcart]

40. Obama supporters should relax and act lilke we have won the election because we have

I am hoping that Obama supporters will continue to follow our candidate’s lead, and focus on the positive things that our campaign offers to this country

[PA Democrat]

41. Kick. Back to page 1. A positive thread is badly needed.

[H2O Man]

44. I agree.

In the last few days, there have been some very positive messages, and they have come from supporters of both candidates. But there have also been an increasing number of the mindless, inaccurate, and mean-spirited posts. We can do better.

[elmerdem]

42. K & R

Thanks H2O Man!

[H2O Man]

43. Thank you.

I appreciate DUers trying to keep a positive message going.

[joanski0]

46. Thanks for this post. I remember when JFK said

something like "Teddy is the real politician in the family". Senator Kennedy has really been a good Senator. He gave the Republicans hell again on the Senate Floor today.

[H2O Man]

47. Both John and Robert

were impressed with Teddy's skills. When Robert was elected to the US Senate, he would look to Teddy for advice.

In 1988, I spent some time in Boston. I remember my father saying that he would show me something interesting. We started riding around in taxis, and my father asked the various drivers if they thought Ted Kennedy should be president? Almost to a person, they said no: they thought he was the greatest Senator of his time, and they believed that is where he could serve the nation best.

In many ways, he has had the most successful Senate career in American history.

[mod mom]

48. rec'd. Thank you H2O Man.

[cooolandrew]

49. Very intresting what I posted yesterday. Let's just be as positive as humanly possible.Enthusiasm is

the key.

[mcollier]

51. Powerful

Lets enjoy watching John McCain get beat too...

http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/012095.php

Obama = more that just an educated guess.


He's the right answer...

[Bongo Prophet]

59. Your post was valuable, coolandrew - we are in the early stages of renewal here, i think.

It is still too early for "healing" to take root, but a constant enrichment of the soil here will help facilitate the interior dialog in many people as they process the trends. As long as there are some voices of reason and reconciliation, it is far easier for those who are ready to let their anger and frustrations subside or at least be given perspective. Keep it up, by all means!

The best soldier fights
without vengeance,
without anger
and without hate.

He puts himself humbly
below his comrades,
thereby eliciting
the highest loyalty from them.

This is the power of non-belligerence
and cooperation.
It is the ancient path to the Great Integrity (Lao Tsu).

[L0oniX]

52. K&R

[ms liberty]

53. K&R. A necessary reminder, thank you! n/t

[NC_Nurse]

54. An excellent post, as always. Thank you.

I am trying to stay positive although I REALLY want Obama to win and win soon.
I am putting my energy into local efforts. We've been registering voters, signing up and training volunteers
and putting out the word about early voting. I'm trying to keep my focus on what I can DO, and not on the
folks whose minds can't be changed. :-)

[Robeson]

55. Easily recommended, H2O Man.

[Swamp Rat]

56. k&r

[ClayZ]

58. K and R

Thank you!

[caseycoon]

60. K&R I hope all Obama supporters will

try their best to remain positive. We don't need to be nasty to others.
Thanks for pointing that out!
:applause:

[leftrightwingnut]

63. Why your post came out in that funny font...

In my browser they came out bold and turned red whenever I
moused over them!  I had to find out why, so I looked at the
html source.

Watch out for brackets!  '[' and ']'

It appears that you tried to embed an ordered list such as:

  1. first item;
  2. second item;
  3. third item

by typing 

[a] first item; [b] second item; [c] third item

Those items were translated to html tags <a> and
<b> which made them targets and bold.

An example of making an ordered list: 
[ol]
[li] first item;
[li] second item;
[li] third item;
[li] etc.
[/ol]

Hope this helps...

BTW, enjoyed reading your post.

[DearAbby]

66. Thank you H2Oman, and I am proud to K&R this post...n/t