John Edwards Endorses Barack Obama

In a masterful stroke of political genius, the Obama campaign has disrupted Hillary's day after coverage of her West Virginia blow-out win.

How?

By scheduling a huge rally in the Michigan--a state which has come to symbolize America's weakening prospects for its blue collar workers. To ensure major press coverage of the Obama-blue collar worker lovefest, the campaign brought out former presidnetial contender John Edwards for a brilliantly timed endorsement of Obama.

Very smart.

Footnote: While I've not been a big fan of the former senator from North Carolina--too much eye batting and hairspray, today's event, the endorsement, and the image of the two men together is prompting me to reconsider him. I now believe that John Edwards can play a very important surrogate role on behalf of the Obama campaign in Kentucky, if needed, and in the fall against McCain and the GOP.

Young, evangelical ... for Obama?

It appears there's a quiet movement of young evangelicals turning away from the GOP. What is driving them out of the GOP?

Polls have shown that young Christians aren't any less concerned about the "family values" issues that have traditionally driven Christians to the Republican camp. It's just that they're also concerned about issues such as social justice and immigration, issues traditionally associated with Democrats.

What's interesting is that many aim to vote for Barack Obama for president over John McCain.

Young, evangelical ... for Obama?

Puerto Rico Presidential Primary

Puerto Rico is bracing for its relevant presidential political primary ever. The event takes place June 1st. The following are articles and opinion pieces on this historic event. Si, Se Puede!

With 55 delegates, Puerto Rico eager for primary limelight
Ironically, while Puerto Ricans may be pivotal for the selection of the Democratic presidential candidate, they will not be able to vote in November.

Puerto Rico Primary A Chance For Influence, Attention
"It is ironic that the colony may end up deciding who the president of the empire is going to be," said Juan Manuel Garcia Passalacqua, an author and commentator in San Juan. "Actually, it is absolutely amazing. Secondly, this primary will have nothing to do with Obama or Hillary. It will be very local, very Puerto Rican."

Desperation and the Puerto Rico primary
What the candidates' position is on Puerto Rico's status (Commonwealth, Statehood, Independence), how much and how they campaign, and what issues they stress matter more than any "Hispanic vote" precedent in the 50 states.

Obama vows to boost Puerto Rico's economy
Obama's campaign vowed to create a task force to boost economic development and create jobs on the Caribbean island, which has a per capita income about half that of the poorest U.S. states.

Hillary Clinton could lose Hispanic vote in Puerto Rico, according to the island's former governor
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has enjoyed the support of Hispanics in Democratic presidential primaries earlier this year, but she may lack that support in Puerto Rico, according to Rafael Hernandez Colon, the island's former governor.

Gov. of Puerto Rico Endorses Obama
Puerto Ricans, unlike other Latino groups have always had much more affinity with African Americans.

Puerto Rico Complies With Clinton Mandate
Hearing the cry that Clinton doesn’t do as well in caucuses as she does in primaries, Puerto Rico has changed their caucus to a primary and moved up the date to June 1st.

Letter from Barack Obama to Puerto Rico
The levels of unemployment on the Island over the last three decades are unacceptable, which is why I will propose the creation a federal-Puerto Rico joint task force to study and report not later than August 31, 2009 on specific ways to maximize the use of existing federal initiatives to generate jobs in Puerto Rico or on new federal initiatives to achieve that goal.

Support For Barack Obama Grows In Puerto Rico
But on the ground, there is a growing swell of support for Hillary Clinton`s rival, Barack Obama.

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Kathleen Sebelius: The Better VP Choice

Some believe that Obama should take Hillary on as his VP because of her supposed strength in the general election among women and white working class people.

Somehow, we're to ignore the fact that Hillary is an incredibly divisive person, has gargantuan negatives, and worse, has shown Obama no respect.

Hillary as Obama's VP? No way!

A much better choice is Kathleen Sebelius, governor of Kansas. Here's why:

1) A progressive Democrat in a very Republican state, Sebelius was elected there twice.
2) Unlike Hillary, Sebelius is very likable, has a calm, folksy, midwestern accent, and really has her pulse on the heartland of America.
3) Sebelius will have appeal throughout the Midwest and with many working class people.
4) Obama's state of Illinois borders Missouri and Sebelius's home state does as well, and together they may be able to win Missouri.
5) The team may have a shot at carrying Ohio because Sebelius was born and raised there and her father was governor
6) As a Catholic and a midwesterner who understands middle America--and does so a whole lot better Hillary, Sebelius helps Obama in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and could put Indiana in play.
7) As a strong woman with proven political skills, female voters will folck to support her historic quest to become the first female VP.
8) Sebelius doesn't hurt Obama anywhere, but solidifies the Midwest and beyond.
9) There's already a certain amount of mutual respect between Sebelius and Obama, e.g. she was an early supporter of his presidential run. And Obama spent an extra-ordinary amount of attention and effort in Kansas--a primary which he won. (Perhaps, because his mother was a Kansas girl.)
10) Americans typically turn to leaders from the heartland when the country's in trouble, and the smart, classy, accomplished, sensible and forward-thinking leaders from Illinois and Kansas fit the bill.

TIME America's 5 Best Governors: Kathleen Sebelius/Kansas
Kan. Governor Draws National Attention
Sebelius Plans To Endorse Obama
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Delivers Democratic Response to President Bush's State of the Union Address
Kansas Governor Endorses Barack Obama
Kansas

The Economist Endorses Obama

The London-based editors of The Economist (Almost there - 5.8.08) offer a powerful rebuttal to Hillary's claim to the Democratic Party presidential nomination because of the white bigot vote:

"Meanwhile, Mr Obama attracts other voters in a way Mrs Clinton never has. For every white bigot who switches sides because of Mr Obama's skin colour, there is likely to be a white independent—especially a young one—running to support him. The data show that young people, both black and white, prefer Mr Obama. Against Mrs Clinton, Mr McCain might have swept up all the independents; with Mr Obama he will have to split them. Mr Obama has raised money from close to 1.5m individuals, far more than anybody else ever has. That will stand him and his party in good stead come November. Each of those donors will be working hard to make sure that their investment is not wasted: an army of footsoldiers to fight the Republicans."

Touché!

In contrast to the behavior of Hillary/Bill and other presidential wannabes, The Economist finds Obama to be more deserving:

More than any other candidate this year, he has articulated an idea of a nobler America. That is partly because of who he is.

How true.

Obama has won! (Rush, Hannity & the Clinton Machine lost.)

Senator Barack Obama has won! He will be his party's nominee--and the next president of the United States of America.

Not only has he withstood the Clinton Machine's "kitchen sink" assault of the last month, but he has also beaten back a vicious assault by the rightwing led by Rush Limbaugh and his Operation Chaos and radio/cable screecher Sean Hannity. Actually, it was fun watching an angry Hannity last night try desperately to piss on Obama's victory over the forces of evil.


Now, even the Clintonistas have begun admitting that the contest for the Democratic Party presidential nomination is all but over.

Yes, we can!

The only real question now is how Bill and Hillary step down while saving face. Speculation last night included everything from Obama absorbing the Clinton Machine's campaign debt--a mistake in my mind--to agreeing to a Clinton hand-picked VP--an even bigger mistake--to giving in on Clinton's favorite policy positions such as a summer gasoline tax holiday--OK, maybe I can live with that.

The Clintons have cancelled all media and public appearances today as they strategtize on next steps. Key to their decision is gauging undecided super-delegates for more Clinton campaigning.

The exit negotiations and the orchestration of a events which results in 1) the Clintons really stepping down and 2) lining up fully behind Barack Obama will be just as important as all that has come before.

A major concern has to be that the Clintons--while pretending otherwise--will secretly undermine Obama's fall quest as they prepare for a 2nd Hillary bid in 2012.

Obama Nation Map: +North Carolina

Obama has won the North Carolina Democratic Party Primary by double digits (56% to 42% w/83% of the vote). In addition to losing this critical battleground state, the Clintons "game changing" results failed to materialize.

The Drudge Report has just posted that the Clintons will huddle with undecided super-delegates tomorrow to gauge if they can continue their campaign. Actually, the fact they these folks are still undecided about Hillary says it all. Great news!

Gingrich to GOP: Seek Real Change or Perish

While the Clintons and their allies in Rightwing media mock Obama's call for change, former Speaker of the House and GOP strategist Next Gingrich is imploring House Republicans to seek "real change to avoid a real disaster".

This is too funny. W has been a complete disaster. And leadership, vision or innovative ideas have in short supply in the U.S. House for years. But the idea that at this late point, the GOP House leadership and rank and file will finally get down to proposing real solutions to the country's problems--many created or made worse by a mean-spirited, elitist national GOP--is nuts!

And Gingrich offers a summer gas tax holiday as a serious solution!

On second thought there is something the House GOP could do which would be bold, helpful to the republic and could possibly ensure a John McCain victory: The House GOP could resign.

BTW: Is there any doubt that a shameless Hillary dons the agent of change costume for the Fall--in the event the Clinton Machine steals the nomination?

Gingrich warns GOP of ‘real disaster' this fall

Reason #8 Why the Clinton Campaign Needs To Be Shutdown: Clinton Rules (i.e., the art of lying and cheating)

The single most destructive lesson taught to America's youth by the Clintons--as well as Bush/Cheney--is that rules are meaningless.

For almost two decades, these folks have been putting on a clinic in how to take a rule or law and distort, re-interpret or ignore it in order to serve their personal/political agendas. Simply put, these "leaders" are teaching America's children that it's OK to lie and cheat in order to get your way.

Changing the rules in mid-play for deciding who wins the Democratic Party nomination is yet but the latest chapter in this tragic story. Offering a product that even Democrats don't want (i.e., a 3rd shot at the U.S. presidency for Billary), the Clintons are ignoring the established rules for choosing a party nominee (rules which they signed off on). Instead, they have offered a stream of self-serving redefinitions and pronouncements based solely on their political interests.
Keith Olbermann does a great job in this video of exposing the Clintons shameful behavior.

Reason #7: Queen of Mean is NOT a presidential qualification
Reason #6: Self-Indulgent, Undisciplined, Orwellian
Reason #5: An Out of Control Bill
Reason #4: Clinton Money Machine Sputtering
Reason #3: Only 37% have positive view of Hillary
Reason #2: “Audacity of Hopelessness”
Reason #1: Pretending Not To Be Using the Race Card