Latino Bloggers Celebrate Obama's Victory

In a quick survey of Latino political bloggers, it's apparent they reflect the joy, pride and sense of relief so many Americans feel in the historic election of Barack Obama as the 44th U.S. President. Some though are set to hold President Obama accountable from Day One on issues of critical importance to Latino voters.

The following is a sampling of Latino political blogger reactions:

Octogenarian first-time voters
Lotería Chicana
This morning, despite both having nagging colds, Papá Chepe and Mamá Toni went out to vote. My dad helped them fill out their sample ballots and drove them to their polling place in Hacienda Heights. They waited half an hour before voting. When they got home, Lori made them pose for a photo. They were proud to show off their stickers. Later, I called Papá Chepe on his cell phone.

“¿Votaron por Obama?” I asked.

“Sí,” Papá Chepe responded. “Lo tenemos que meter.”

YES, WE DID
Chicana on the Edge
I was in Grant Park on Tuesday night, not in the actual event, but standing with thousands of people just outside of the fenced area. When CNN called it for Obama, everyone started yelling and cheering and hugging each other. I stood there stunned for a minute before I began to clap and cheer also. Couples embraced, people cried, including me. The huge Jumbotron showed the words "Obama" and "president" and it was an incredible moment.

Last night “That One” became our President-Elect!
LatinoPoliticsBlog
We witnessed history in the making yesterday folks in selecting the first African-American President-Elect to govern this great nation. This is monumental, not only for our African-American brothers and sisters, but for all non-WASP people who have ever dreamed that one day, we may achieve success in this right-center, Anglo dominated country. Barack Hussein Obama, born to an immigrant father and a white woman from Kansas, represents the new face of America, one that is not so easily categorized but reflects the true complexity of what our nation has become.

You Can Call Him "President-Elect Obama" Now
Latino Pundit
There are no words to describe how immensely ecstatic I am right now. I am so lucky to have been able to witness history in the making.

President Barack Hussein Obama!
The Unapologetic Mexican
CONGRATULATIONS TO BARACK OBAMA, the 44th president (-elect) of the United States of America. And to all who supported and worked for or contributed in some way toward this moment. It has been an overwhelming and amazing night. Here’s looking toward the future, and all it may contain.

Some thoughts on last night's election
South Texas Chisme
Obama won by a landslide! OK, I admit it. I'm glad. Obama's way better than the other guy. But, I am still mad about a few things - tone deafness with respect to women, the FISA vote and 'the end justifies the means' campaign tactics. OK, I have hope. But, I am watching and hoping he selects strong women and Hispanics to be around him. Hoping he undoes the damage Bush did to our constitution and the basic fabric of our governmental institutions.

Yes we can.... and we did!!
BrownViews
Tonight I can go to bed at ease... this nightmare of the Bush administration is almost over, and none too soon. I pray for our new president - there are just too many people filled with hate and remain concerned, in large part a result of the McCain gutter campaign. But now is a time to hope, to celebrate. Now, we really can hope. Now we can really instill in our children the possibility of their becoming a future president of the USA. Choosing hope over fear. "Keep hope alive!"

That Whole Latino Vote Thing : A look at the Numeros
VivirLatino
What's next for Latinos, voters or not? Ensuring that at the top of the agenda is ending the terrorism of ICE and that U.S. policy towards Latin America moves away from colonial paternalism. A tall order that not even an Obama presidency may be able to fill.

Political Jargon
no controles
Democracy is like banana bread. Even if you don’t always like all the nuts in it, ya have to admit, it’s pretty good! And i have to admit, i’m happy McCain got his personality back as a parting gift.

Congratulations To El Presidente! We Love You World!
Guanabee
You are probably in a particular good mood today world. Right? Right? So are we. Today, with the confirmed election of Barack Obama as the future President of the United States, there is light at the end of the tunnel during these difficult times.

Obama Must Usher In Era of Rational and Transparent Government
Of América
Lastly, an Obama Administration should set a more humane and rational tone around immigration, a tone that shuts down the borders of irrationality and violence in government while also fostering greater understanding of and openness to the geopolitical, legal and other complexities of immigration today.

Felicidades to Obama and Fortuño
Puerto Rico Sun
As a Boricua, it is amazing and inspiring to see that the first African-American has been elected to serve this country. I am happy I was able to witness this historical moment. Yes we can!

Obama should read between the lines – Latinos matter
The South Chicagoan
I say that because Obama got strong Latino support, even though he ran a presidential campaign that at times seemed not to care about the part of the U.S. population that is skyrocketing in size.

Christopher London: Obama's Victory Was The Dream of My Father (also)

I found myself standing among friends and family last night in the Sheraton Ballroom in New York City with tears streaming down my face. While I was happy and moved, for a few moments I was alone in my thoughts. After Obama surpassed 270 Electoral votes, the room went crazy as some of NY's leading Democrats ascended on stage in a triumphant spirit. Watching Governor Patterson speak before Obama came on screen, I looked around the room and so many people had tears in their eyes, black, white, Spanish, Asian, young, old, from students, young professionals, creatives, business men and women. It was so beautiful. And I thought of my father, a great American Citizen who was born in Colombia, South America who came to the United States to go to college and marry my Chelsea, New York City born mother who was of Italian and German heritage. I remember his words so clearly. "Some day my son, I hope that you will have someone who inspires your generation, in the same way that JFK and RFK, Bobby, did for mine, and then America will clearly have brighter days ahead." To my father in Heaven, "YES WE DO" Dad and I love you and my country even more today. I wish you were still here and that I could share this moment with you. You gave me the ability to reason, think independently, to appreciate all cultures and gave me profound respect for the less fortunate. Every day that I see a small piece of you in me and my brothers I salute you. You may not have been born in America but you were truly one of its greatest citizens.

This morning I got ugly emails from a handful of Republicans who were like "let's see if your magical black man can produce now." And then they wonder why I find such a hard time with the Republican brand and a party that refuses to respect the will of the people and the right of all citizens, lower income and minorities included, to vote and participate in the political process. Only a deluded right wing nut job cannot appreciate the breadth and extent of this historic victory and how people all over the world love President Elect Obama and will love America again. Make no mistake GOP Vote Suppression efforts were successful. Hundreds of thousands of registrations and votes were knocked out in battleground states, preventing an even greater margin in the electoral college and holding back even greater gains in the Senate. They could not steal this election in its entirety. The revolution of the people was too overwhelming but they sliced and diced at the margins. Consider Al Franken one of its victims and Michele Bachmann one of its beneficiaries.

Watch as in the coming days the RNC/GOP will send out the talking points that Obama's win, while historic, does not give him a mandate. That is the biggest load of bullshit. My friends, if we have learned anything, never become complacent, there are dark forces who like Freddie Kruger want to steal your dreams. Remain hopeful, determined and vigilant. Stay engaged in the political process. The transformation has only just begun!

God bless Democrats, Independents and yes Obamacans, thinking and thoughtful Conservatives who crossed party lines to support Obama. But most of all, god bless America. As Barack said last night, let's wipe away the tears and roll up our sleeves. This is our time. Americans will face some of the most challenging times since The Great Depression we must band together. In the words of another Kennedy, Teddy: "The work begins anew, the hope rises again and the dream lives on."

Sincerely,

NYC Consigliere's Corner

Launch of www.librerialectorum.com with Mirta Ojita, Esmeralda Santiago & Victor Villaseñor Nov 19 in NYC

New York City's oldest Spanish bookstore, Librería Lectorum, closed last year. Many were saddened by the shuttering of the specialty bookstore -- a long time fixture on 14th Street and symbol of New York City's century plus Latino influence.

However, the good news though is that Librería Lectorum has been reincarnated as the nation's premier Spanish-language online bookstore. Continuing its decades-long commitment to the Latino community, this Fall Lectorum will launch a new Spanish-language website for consumers, offering tens of thousands of adult and children’s Spanish-language titles.

Bravo!

The founders and distinguished Latino authors are celebrating the launch of http://www.liberialectorum.com/ November 19th.

While the launch is an invitation-only, private event, members of the public are encouraged to log on to http://www.librerialectorum.com/ starting November 17th to see all that the site has to offer, including a recording of the Café Literario event.

Related: New York City's Oldest Spanish Bookstore to Close

The Most Credible and Authentic Independent Latino Blog

It's an honor whenever readers--especially fellow bloggers--think enough of what you do to recommend it to others.

The publisher of my oh my oh my oh has done just that in Pensamientos con los blogueros -- a search for the best online Latino oriented election coverage. She/he picked the best of the Latino Netroots in these three categories: Individual Bloggers; Intentional/Professional Blogs: and Spanish Language websites.

Here are the top choices:

Individual Blogger

American Taíno - The most credible and authentic independent Latino blog I found, author identified himself and covers a variety of topics with an open and independent mind.

Intentional/Professional Blog

Latinos for Obama Blogspot - “Latinos for Obama is part of the Democratic National Committee Hispanic Caucus’ CasaBlanca Project, a grassroots group.”

Spanish Language Website

Tu voto es tu futuro - The Spanish Language news service of AOL. Good continuous balanced coverage of both candidates – sort of looks foreign after looking at so many one sided blogs and web sites. One of the two Latino or Spanish language pieces on McCain’s address to the National Council of La Raza that I found (the other was at American Taino) and the only place where I saw strong anti-Obama comments posted from users.

Very cool.

Katrina to Sink McCain?

John McCain--the one time maverick Republican--has hitched his wagon big time to W's failed Iraq War and economic policies.

A winning platform in the fall? I don't think so.

However, McCain losing his bearing in pursuit of the presidency doesn't explain his lackadaisical attitude in regards to Katrina, the most horrific natural disaster on U.S. soil and W's single biggest domestic failure.

Kossacks (Daily Kos bloggers) and pro-Obama partisans believe McCain's lackadaisical positions on Katrina and its aftermath will be a major issue in the fall election.

"John McCain - Going Down" is the first video in the campaign:

Top 10 Political Websites

Hitwise reports that these are the 10 most trafficked political websites in the U.S. The percentage is of market share within the politics category.

It used to be that editors would get their cues from the NYTimes. Increasingly, they are getting their leads from web sources--and these sites are some of the primary sources.

Some of these sites offer insightful analyses and opinions, while others are forums for bigots and the dimwitted.

I'll let you discover for yourselves which is which. Clue: Smart (and decent) is rarely the most popular.

1. http://www.freerepublic.com/home.htm 5.14%
2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ 4.51%
3. http://www.dailykos.com/ 2.57%
4. politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com 2.17%
5. http://www.townhall.com/ 2.1%
6. http://www.buzzflash.com/ 1.95%
7. http://www.politico.com/ 1.9%
8. http://www.humanevents.com/ 1.84%
9. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ 1.72%
10. http://www.democraticunderground.com/ 1.69%

Who Won the Yahoo! Democratic Candidate Mashup?

9/17 Update: Obama now leads Clinton by just 3 points in the Mashup online poll - 35% to 32%. Edwards trails at 12%.

I just completed watching the full 2+ hours of the 2008 Yahoo! Democratic Mashup--YAHOO!news' entry into the growing list of novel presidential forums.

The difference is that the "Mashup" is an online series of pre-recorded video snippets taken from interviews of the 8 Democratic candidates conducted by PBS's Charlie Rose. Topics were limited to Iraq, Education and Health Care. Additionally, funny man Bill Maher throws each candidate a question designed to make things more interesting.

Because it's prerecorded and broken into bits of viewable video, viewers can access the Mashup anytime between now and September 21st, and they can chose to view only those pieces they prefer, and in which ever order best suits them.

Mashup?

It's a Mashup because viewers can select candidates and compare their responses against each other --and it's done online.

Co-sponsored by The Huffington Post and Slate, the Yahoo! Mashup is billed as a ground-breaking innovation in terms of campaign dialogue. I'm not so sure.

The good thing is that each candidate gets a chunk of time to respond to questions from each topic--and they mostly tried to give full and thoughtful answers. The negative is that too often the candidates fell back to scripts--except, of course, in response to Bill Maher's queries.

Also, since each candidate was interviewed separately, missing are the atmospherics of a live forum or debate. There is something to be said for being able to witness the interplay--verbal and nonverbal--between the contestants.

Who won?

According to the online Yahoo! poll, Barack Obama was leading with 37% to Hillary Clinton's 32%.

Here's my take:

Barack Obama - I agree that Obama does very well because the format really works to his strengths. As in a typical Charlie Rose interview, the guests are allowed to give lengthier answers to important questions--and Obama does exactly that. Obama did well with all of the questions, but I thought he did especially well in response to Iraq and education. He gave a very sensible answer to how to extract the U.S. from Iraq while ensuring the stability of the region. I also liked his commitment fixing urban public schools. Grade A

John Edwards - I thought the format also worked for John Edwards. For the first time in my experience watching him, Edwards seemed really comfortable--and even genuine. Edwards' strongest responses were in Health Care where he promised to keep the drug lobbyists from vetoing real change, and Education where he promoted universl pre-k and free public higher education. Grade B

Dennis Kucinich - I thought Kucinich did well, too. He hit all of his key points--out of Iraq, dump No Child Left Behind and it's obsession with testing, and do universal health care through a nonprofit system. Grade B

Mike Gravel - Gravel was a hoot. Not only does he just let it rip, but I find myself actually agreeing with a number of his points. He's always admonishing voters to follow the money, but his point really struck a cord when he talked about health care. His point is that real change is not likely as long as the drug company lobbyists keep buying off the politicians--including those he's competing against. Grade B

Bill Richardson - Richardson's performance was OK--not brilliant but not bad. What I don't understand, though, is why Rose felt the need to ask only Richardson--not once, but twice--about immigration. I also found it offensive that Rose asked only Richardson about him settling for a VP slot. Grade C+

Hillary Clinton - I don't think that the format (nor the lighting) was as friendly to Hillary. It also seems that she's more interesting as the center of a network--a network that includes a lot of interesting, passionate and committed people. But on her own, one-on-one in a straight-up interview with Charlie Rose, she's seems diminished. Hurting her were her cautious and uninspiring responses on education, health care and Iraq. Grade C+

Chris Dodd/Joe Biden - Dodd and Biden loved the extra time to talk, which is what these two men seem most skilled in doing. It's hard for me to take either of these two guys seriously, since they talk with so much urgency but say so little and have done even less in their long congressional careers. Grade C-

Click here view the Yahoo! Mashup.

Latino Bloggers on the Univision Democratic Presidential Forum

A number of Latino bloggers tuned in for last night's "first-of-a kind" Univision presidential forum. Below are links to their insightful, sometimes irreverent, but always unique posts on what they saw and heard. Check them out.

Also, Latino Netroots has a compilation of blogs and a podcast of the debate--and Latino Pundit has his list, too.

Univision Debate: Latino Blogger Reactions (Man Eegee)

Underdog Gravel shines as star candidates gives Latinos more of the same (VivirLatino)

Candidates Debate in Spanglish on Univision: LIVE (La bloguera)

Destino 2008 : Univision's Democratic Presidential Forum (culturekitchen)

Univision Debate Proves Refreshing (LatinaLista)

Thoughts on the Spanish-Language Debate (Matt Ortega)

Post Univision Debate Hang over (La bloguera)

Photo credit: AP

Obama's Army Surges to 250,000

Barack Obama may have set a new record for the number of people contributing to a presidential campaign. In an email message to supporters, the Obama campaign announced that it has secured support from nearly 250,000 people in the first six months of the year. And those supporters have made over 330,000 separate contributions.

Actual results for all of the campaigns will be made public shortly after June 30th deadline.

The previous record was set by Howard Dean in 2004 when his internet-based campaign effort received contributions from 70,000 supporters. Of course, while the numbers were impressive, Dean didn't raise the most money in that primary cycle nor did he win the nomination.

With today's big news, combined with the friendly surroundings of Howard University, Obama enters tonight's PBS Democratic Presidential Forum with what odds makers would tag as a favorite to win--the debate, that is.

Click here for the blogging of tonight's forum.

Read Nearly 250,000 open wallets for Obama.

Blogging The PBS All-American Presidential Forum

I'm honored to join a distinguished and diverse panel of bloggers in covering tomorrow night's presidential debate at Howard University.

Not only do I get a front row seat to history in the making, but I also get to blog about it onsite.

Sweet!

I'm hoping that all of America tunes in for the All-American Presidential Forum on PBS moderated by Tavis Smiley.

The blogger coverage of the debate is coordinated by Media Bloggers Association. Click here for a listing of the invited bloggers--and for an aggregation of their commentaries.

The Opening

Very nice of Smiley to recognize the young people from Memphis who paid for their trip to DC by washing cars. Governor Deval Patrick got a bit of face time for his future run for national office. He's one Massachusetts politician that can go places.

Slow start

We're 26 minutes into the debate and we've only had one question--and that question illicited what sounded like bits from the standard stump speeches.

Education

Such an important topic--education, but it's too broad a question. The candidates are saying they for education and for all sorts of programs. Although I do like that Gravel and Kucinch drew the linkage between the squandering of billions on a bad war and the need to invest in quality education for the nation's children.

I also think that Obama's point that we need to see the country's poor children as our children as a necessary ingredient towards improving educational results is a good one.

I honestly don't know what Hillary offered because she seemed to scream her response.

Health

They're all for health care for everybody, but it was the question on HIV that got the most attention--and laughter.

Biden just said that he spent last summer in the Blaaaack sections of town educating Blaaaack men that it's OK to wear condoms. Really?

Then Biden further embarrassed himself by saying that he and Obama got checked for AIDS.

That revelation prompted Obama to interject that it was he and Michelle (and, I guess, not Obama and Biden) and that they did so as part of a mission to Africa. Very funny.

Does Biden know how silly he sounds?

Economy Disparity

Hillary: Those with the most must contribute to this country. OK.

Biden: blah, blah, blah

Richardson: Give incentives to those companies that invest in the inner city.

Ouch! Smiley just cut-off Richardson and told him he was finished.

That's it! Next question.

Smiley is trying to speed things up and these already over hyped candidates now seem like they're on speed.

Criminal Justice

Dodd wants to end the disparity between between crack cocaine and powder cocaine. Hmmm. Hey, Hillary is for that, too. Biden wrote the drug court legislation and he's introduced legislation to also deal with crack and powder. Richardson somehow squeezed having people join unions.

New Orleans

The question has to do with whether the candidates support a federal law guaranteeing the return of displaced residents? Yes.

This is a hugely important topic: what to do about the people displaced by Katrina? But the candidates just do not have time to give thoughtful answers. Edwards and Obama are for giving the people of New Orleans a role in the rebuilding of the City--as opposed to giving fat contracts to the Bechtel and Haliburtons. OK, interesting idea.

Outsourcing

Hillary just mentioned her initiative in NY to create jobs--especially in Upstate NY. She didn't however mention that that initiative has done zippo. Upstate has fewer jobs now than it had before she ran for senate. I'm not trying to pick on he. It's just that I happen to know the facts in this specific instance. Lost of promise, no results.

Edwards: Eliminate tax breaks for companies that export jobs abroad.

Obama: Reinvesting in communities burdened by globalization.

Kucinch: Cancel NAFTA and the WTO.

We're at the last question?

Darfur

Dodd: US ought to act.

Hillary: No fly zone over the Sudan. Shoot down their planes.

Biden: Stop talking, start acting. Send in American soldiers.

Richardson: Fighting genocide is more important than sports. Don't forget Africa.

Edwards: Make primary education available to 100MM children around the world.

Obama: Trade and invest in Africa.

Kucinch: Make companies stop exploiting Africa.

Gravel: Need moral judgement. And most of the people on this stage don't have moral judgement because of what they've done. Say what?

Obama, Memphis Students Win; Tavis, PBS Lose

Wow, the pacing of the debate was all off.

It started way too leisurely--hugging, posing for photos, mentioning your horoscope sign--and became strangely frenetic.

I liked that the forum lacked the stiff formality typical of most televised debates/forums. Warmth and friendliness are good things. But the pacing was all wrong. Very unfortunate.

In terms of the questions or issues discussed, that was somewhat disappointing as well. I felt that the question were too general--prompting very general responses.

However, most inexcusable was that the questioners failed to ask about the major issues of the day: the War in Iraq, immigration reform and climate change. Why?

In terms of the candidates, we learned very little new about them and their positions--other than that Gravel is a bit of a loony tune. Probably a nice guy, but a loony tune.

The winners?

I don't think anybody won because the format was so bad. Actually, Obama is the winner because he seemed comfortable, didn't yell, didn't insult anybody, looked in command, knew what he was talking about, mentioned his wife and offered a moment of levity.

The children from Memphis.

And Governor Deval Patrick.

The Losers?

The debate format.

Mentioning your horoscope sign.

Tavis Smiley and whomever was directing the debate coverage for failing to properly manage the flow of the forum.