This is me studying

Love it Andrew!

Haven't Been Paying Attention

Have you not been paying attention to what's been going on in the Democratic Nomination race?  Do you want the sparknotes version.

Watch it: (yes, and it's only 7 minutes long!)

Debate Reax

So much reading to do, so little time to write.

I'm going to outsource.

To get a general overview of the debate, if you missed it, check out this video:

To get a bloggers reactions, check out Andrew one and two

For Obama fan reactions, check out one and two

For a funnier take, some more video:

And for my opinion:

I'll just put it this way.  Once upon a time, I was a big fan of American Idol.  Since that point in time, I've just begun to watch the last 2 or 3 shows, when the people are actually good.  During this debate, I switch over midway to watch the American Idol results show- with 7 people left on the show.

Plain in simple: that so-called debate, was terrible

To Cleanse All of the BITTERNESS You've Been Feeling

Finally...

I wish I had that kind of money.

The Clinton's release their tax returns.

Check out PDFs complied by The Page from hillaryclinton.com

Pennsylvania

Who's going to win?  What do the candidates have to do?  A map brought to you by Time's The Page.

Hating on Hillary

This is what she is doing to our party... out of her own self-interest.  Not the type of person I want running this country and not the type of person I want to vote for.

"The only path to victory for Clinton is via coup by super delegate.  She knows this.  That's why there's all the talk about poaching pledged delegates and spinning uncertainty around Michigan and Florida, and laying the case for super delegates to discard the popular will and stage a coup.

Yet a coup by super delegate would sunder the party in civil war.  Clinton knows this, it's her only path to victory, and she doesn't care.  She is willing -- nay, eager to split the party apart in her mad pursuit of power."

- Markos Moulitsas, DailyKos

"The bigger the lie, the better the chance they think they've got.  That's been their whole approach.  She's going to lose a whole generation of people who got involved in politics believing it could be something different."

- Bill Bradley on the Clintons

Springterns in the WSJ

Wanna know what Steph and I have been up to over break, check out Ellen's article in the WSJ today.

I Can't Stand This Anymore

Hillary Clinton is a hypocritical liar who plays politics like a game and only does what is best for herself.

If you have any doubts about this, check out her NPR interview that aired this morning...

Got it?  Ok!

I'm done with this.  If Hillary Clinton gets the nomination, she's either going to have to do one heck of a job convincing me to vote for her and she can forget about getting any money, time, or energy from me as a volunteer.

Sadly, as I can already tell, if Hillary Clinton wins the nomination for the Dems, it's going to be another 8 long years with a Republican in the White House.  I'm afraid and you better be too.

VOTE OBAMA '08!  VOTE FOR CHANGE!  VOTE FOR HOPE!  VOTE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW!  VOTE FOR A BETTER AMERICA!

YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN!

More Andrew Praising

I would offer up a lengthy analysis of Tuesdays results, the new numbers from both the Clinton and the Obama campaigns, and new strategies for both campaigns, but I simply do not have the time between studying for my philosophy midterm (which isn't being done right now) and getting ready to head home / to New Jersey for Spring Break tomorrow.

Check this post out from Andrew Sullivan- it highlights what I think the Obama campaign should be doing in the coming weeks.

If Obama gets me on policy, Andrew gets me on everything else!

OBAMA '08

This Is What I Love

This is what I love about Andrew Sullivan...

"If she cannot be stopped, she can still be slowed.  If you are in Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont and Texas, you know what to do.  This is what you call the fierce urgency of now."

Tomorrow, get out there and vote.

We have seen it before and we will see it again- Hillary Clinton does not go down without a fight (not matter how badly she's done).

OBAMA '08

Politics of Fear

Now remind me again... which candidate is displaying Rove-ian tactics?

Why I Dislike Hillary Clinton (the short version, with video!)

I'll be the first one to say that I LOVE everything that Barack Obama stands for- unity, change, new politics, things getting done, etc.

I will also be the first one to say that if Hillary Clinton gets the nomination, I will vote for her over McCain.

However, my stance on that issue is now wavering.

To all those Hillary fans out there, I just have one question for you...

Is this the person you want to be elected president?

I fully support politicians going after those that wrongfully attack them.  It's part of politics.  It's how it's played.

I am not upset that Hillary is attacking Barack- the race it tight, I expect her to.  

What upsets me with this clip is that Hillary is not attacking Barack on the issues of NAFTA and Healthcare, but rather ranting about his sending out negative (or I would say mailings that in fact counteract little tidbits the Clinton campaign was trying to cover up about Hillary's positions and Obama's positions on these issues) mailings.

In her speech, she decries what Obama is doing.  However, it is plain knowledge that she herself does the same thing- actually to a worse extent, with mailings that are not even backed up with good facts.  To me, it is unfair and just plain wrong to criticize you opponent when you are doing the same thing to.  It's something called being hypocritical.

Now, as I said before, I would have voted for Hillary in November if she was the Democratic Nominee.  What threw me over the edge was not the video above, but what she said at a rally in Rhode Island over the weekend.

In her speech, Hillary is not only mocking Barack Obama's rhetoric.  But also his ideas.  Who's to say that what Obama talks about cannot be achieve.  Do I think that we will be out of Iraq, on peaceful terms with rogue nations, have universal healthcare, have green jobs, have a budget surplus and a strong economy, and have fixed the global warming problem at the end of Obama's first term (possibly) as President.  No!  Anyone who did would have to be completely delusional.

However, it is wrong for Hillary to scream that Barack's ideas are similar to the sky opening and celestial choirs coming down.  Barack's main theme is that he will bring people together.  This is something that can and has been achieved throughout his campaign and his years in office.  He can do this, he has shown that he can do this, and Hillary is just being damn pessimistic about the whole thing.

Hillary is also mocking me and my fellow Barack Obama supporters.  She is supposing that we have our heads in the clouds believing that change can be made in our world.  If you look at the politics of our country, change has been made- Civil Right Era, coming out of the Great Depression, the Oregon Trail, the Civil War, and the Revolutionary War.  Who's to say that change can't happen now?  If I have something that I believe in, why should anyone try to diminish that hope?

This is the reason why I am doubting my support for Hillary should she beat Barack Obama in the primaries.  I want a politician who can tell me, Amy a political science major who obviously has a lot to say about the policies and politics of our country, that change can happen in this world.  So long to the politics of yesterday and the partisan divisions of the past.  Hillary, by the plain fact that she essentially called me out for believe in what she deems Barack Obama's fairy tale has proven to me that she does not care about bringing this country together, she does not care about helping everyday Americans, she does not care what I have to say, all she cares about is getting elected and that is someone who I DO NOT want to be the next President of the United States.

We have been dealing with this type of politician for the past 8 years.  Not again America.  Not again.

Should Barack Obama not gain the Democratic nomination, I might vote for Hillary, but she has more convincing to do for me now than she ever did in the past.

Vote Obama '08!

A Conversation between and Obama and a Clinton Supporter

Dear Clinton Supporter,

I understand your position, I really do... I guess we just differ in how we believe our country needs to be run from here on out.

Don't get me wrong, Hillary is an amazing politician and a great woman. If Obama wasn't running and if our country wasn't in the state of disarray that it is now, I would vote for her. If she gets the nomination i will vote for her (unfortunately according to CNN and Time, I will be throwing away my vote, but I am a full-out democrat and will vote for the democratic candidate). 

I just think that what our country needs now is someone who can bring this era of divisive politics to an end and create a cooperation between republican and democrats that will actually help get substantive policy passed. 

For me, the candidate who has shown that s/he can do this effectively is Barack Obama. To me, experience isn't what should be at issue. If we were choosing our nominee based on who had the most experience, Bill Richardson would be the Democratic candidate and Dick Cheney would have ran for the Republicans. What should be at issue is judgement. Does the candidate have the judgement to do what is in the best interest of the country? Has the candidate shown his / her ability to use correct judgement on trying issues in the past?

That's just how I view things. I know, maybe it's just because I'm idealistic and truly believe that politics isn't really as bad as it sometimes seems. But really, things can change. And to me, things need to change now.

-Obama Supporter

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Dear Obama Supporter,

I have a major trust issue with Obama. I know this may be an emotional reaction but I don't think that I would feel safe with him as my commander and chief. His comments on Pakistan, when he discussed the importance of securing the nuclear weapons depots as our first priority suggested a profound lack of understanding on that issue (which I have been following for months now). I love his books and I love his speeches but I just don't think that he understands the complexity and the reality of the world in which we live.

I can also totally understand your desire for change. Trust me, after this disaster of an administration I'm ready for a progressive too. I just don't think however, that it is possible for one man to change the entire attitude of our national discourse. I fear that if he is nominated he will be crushed by the McCain and the Republicans as an inexperienced candidate who appears weak on national security issues. I know that Hillary can survive any sort of these attacks and that she can stand toe-to-toe against McCain on national security.

He is inspirational for having such lofty goals (changing the way work is done in Washington) but, to be quite frank, he doesn't have any concrete plans which differ from Clinton to achieve this end. I need someone who is results oriented, experienced, and knowledgeable. Clinton, in my judgment, beats Obama in all three.

- Clinton Supporter

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Dear Clinton Supporter,

A lot of people do have major trust issues with Obama- mostly based on his so-called lack of experience. I would love to figure out some sort of great way to refute your Pakistan thing, but as I am more interested in domestic policy and don't exactly have a ton of time on my hands right now, I sadly cannot (at this moment).

But I do have to say that I disagree with your point that Barack doesn't understand the complex world that we live in. No doubt he is 20 years younger than Hillary, he has had more foreign experience than her. He lived in Indonesia as a child, his father is Kenyan, he has visited Kenya on many occasions, and he is currently working with Kenya at resolving the ethnic conflict that has emerged in that region as a result of their December elections. Furthermore, it was Barack Obama, not Hillary Clinton, who first stood up against the Iraq war- in 2002 when everyone in the U.S. Senate was voting for it. Personally, many of his advisers thought that this was a bad idea, as he was considering a run for Senate in the 2004 election, but he did it anyway and publically gave a speech condemning the war.

Of course it is impossible for one man (or woman for that matter) to change the politics of our nation. However, Barack Obama has shown through his work on ethics reform in the Illinois Senate and in the U.S. Senate, along with this work on taping police interrogations in the Illinois Senate, that he has the ability to work against a system that says that a Freshman Senator cannot pass substantive ethics reform in the most corrupt state legislature in the United States, one dominated by a Republican majority no less. Yet he did do it. He didn't do it by himself, he got Democrats and Republicans to work together on this issue. To me, this is what our country needs now. Pundits and the average American have faulted the newly elected Democratic majority for not accomplishing their Iraq and healthcare goals that they ran on during the 2006 election. The reason they can't accomplish this is because Republicans and Democrats are unwilling to work together to come up with substantive compromises on these issues- mostly based on positions held by the Bush Administration. 

Hillary Clinton would make a great President. However I worry about her ability to bring Republicans and Democrats together to work on meaningful solutions to the important issues that our country is faced with now. Polls and Hillary herself has shown that she is a divisive figure- you either love her or you hate her (or you're a crazy Democrat and will vote for her just because she is a fellow Dem). Hillary works within the system, continuing the divisive politics that our country has been plagued with since the Reagan era. Obama has shown that he will bring new people into the process, not only by increasing the amount of the electorate that votes, but by working with Democrats and Republicans on issues open before the American public. This is what is needed for America. Americans need a president that they can trust to work in their best interests and make compromises that are important to actually getting things done in federal government. Barack Obama can and has done this. One of my worries with Hillary Clinton is that she will not be able to do this, as shown in the past with her work in healthcare.

I am scared about a Hillary vs. McCain match up. The thought has crossed my mind many times during this nomination season that the accusations and lies told by the Clinton campaign, that maybe I would vote for McCain if there was a Clinton / McCain match up in November. I don't doubt that many of my fellow Democrats feel this way, as do the Independents and Republicans that voted for Obama in the primaries. To me, Obama is electable when put with McCain because he represents something entirely different than McCain's conservative platform- a progressive approach to politics based on change. If Hillary is the nominee, I have no doubt that all of the Independent voters will vote for McCain because of Hillary's sad stance that people either love her or hate her. Sadly, I also know that if Hillary is the nominee, while I will vote for her, I will not take an active role in her campaign at all. This is sad because I love campaigning and because Hillary's nomination would mean loosing Democratic supporters like myself who are disillusioned about the bickering way that the Clinton's run their politics.

Sorry about making this so long- feel free to double my length if not more. I love talking about this stuff. The Obama Campaign officially owns about 36 hours of my week with about 48 additional hours of my week dedicated to watching the news, reading the newspapers, and checking blogs- so basically- I am completely politics dominated 24/7 (and I love it!)!

- Obama Supporter

Clinton...

Let me preface this by saying that I am extremely excited about the 10 for 10 that Obama has won in the contests following Super Tuesday.  Now... off to Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island (where I will be this weekend canvassing), and Vermont for March 4th.

Something the networks did not show at the time, before Hillary went on to speak last night in her "concession, but not a concession" speech, Machinists union President Tom Buffenbarger did a little intro for her.  Most of his speech as a tirade against Obama- worse than what Former President Clinton did in South Carolina with his "false hopes" speech.

The media, just now pick up this story is now playing Buffenbarger's remarks all over the airwaves.

Here's just a quote of what he said, "Give me a break!  I've got new for the latte-drinking, Prius-driving, Birkenstock-wearning, trust fund babies crowding in to hear his speak!  This guy won't last a round against the Republican attack machine.  He's a poet, not a fighter."

Of course, I have many objections to this remark.

First- Why did the Clinton campaign let him talk like this?  They saw how the public reacted in horror to Bill's speeches in South Carolina.  And now this?  It's worse!

Second- Supporters.  Obviously Bufffenbarger means this as an attack on all of the supporters of Obama.  As Wisconsin clearly showed, Obama supporters are men and women from all backgrounds, races, and socioeconomic platforms.  So how does Buffenbarger's generalization work again?

Third- Me.  Ok let's test Buffenbarger's theory number 1 about Obama's supporters.  We'll us me as a test subject.  Well, I don't drink lattes (I don't like hot drinks), but I do have my fair share of Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks iced coffees because sometimes I just need that extra caffine kick like every other American.  I don't drive a Prius, but I do plan on eventually owning a hybrid, not because I'm rich (I certainly am not) but because I believe in doing my part to help save the environment- is this such a bad thing?  I do wear Birkenstocks because I like the way the feel and the way that they last forever- such a good investment.  And I certainly do not have a trust fund.  So I fit in 1 out of the 4 categories.  But the question I have for Buffenbarger is- does Clinton hate people who need caffine, people who want to save the environment, people who like to make smart investments, or people who save for their children?  According to him, I guess she does.  Wow, that's something I didn't know about her.

Forth- Republican attack machine vs. Obama.  McCain's speech last night showed that it seemed like he would try to use the same attacks against Obama that Hillary's campaign has been using- but have obviously been failing.  So much for attack machine.

Fifth- Republican attack machine vs. Clinton.  She ran for Senate virtually uncontested and the Republicans "tried her" and made her "battle ready".  Hmm ok?  What about the fact that she stayed with Bill after he cheated on her repeatedly?  What about her failed healthcare plans?  What about Clinton scandals in the White House?  Yeah, they've tested her enough already... sure.  Just see how far that idea gets you in the general election.

Sixth- Fighting.  Obama doesn't stand for partisan fighting- that's his whole message.  Why do we need a fighter in government?  Obama answers his attacks, but doesn't push back in an extremely harsh manner.  Isn't it time to move on?  Grow up Buffenbarger!  Didn't your mom ever teach you the Golden Rule?

Sometimes I just HATE Hillary Clinton supporters and their stupid comments.

Colbert...

I know this is late, but it is still just as funny!

Hillary and the Band

Hillary's response video to "Yes We Can".

Remember, this video was paid for and created by the Clinton campaign.  The "Yes We Can" video was created by supporters only.

"His to Lose" The Economist

The second article from The Economist...

Objections:

The article states, "Mr. Obama's message of 'change' and 'hope' is becoming a little tiresome".  Why might I ask, if Obama's "Change We Can Believe In" is getting old, is Hillary Clinton joining on the change bandwagon?  Obviously, the country is not tired of hope and change, the country is embracing it.

Important points:

The article overall does a good job outline the Hillary Clinton campaign's downfall following Super Tuesday... 

- Losing 8 out of 8 primaries / caucuses

- Obama taking Hillary's base of whites, women, Latinos, and people over 65

- Her failure to campaign adequately in any of these 8 states

- Her quick withdrawal from Wisconsin

- The changes in the structure of her campaign staff

- Giving $5 million to her own campaign

The most salient point was that all of the crises that have been hitting the Clinton campaign following Super Tuesday "undermines her claim to be a CEO-type figure who will be ready to run the country on day one".  Obama on the other hand "has run a steadier campaign.  He has consistently out-organized and out-planned his rival".

Finally, the most important point... "If Mr. Obama can prevent Mrs. Clinton from winning the triple [Ohio, Texas, and Pennsylvania], then no amout of arm-twisting of superdelegates will save her campaign".  All Obama has left to do is take one of the three firewall states from Clinton.  It is going to be tough, but this campaign has been fighting against the odds since it began.  Change can happen.  Change will happen.

8 for 8

Barack Obama has gone 8-for-8 in the primaries and caucuses following Super Tuesday.

First... Nebraska, Louisiana, Washington, and the Virgin Islands.  Then Maine.  And finally, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Check out the campaign site for pledged delegate counts and wins.

The Hillary Clinton campaign has tried to diminish Obama's successes...

- "Those states don't count because they were caucuses"- Well, Louisiana, Virgin Islands, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia weren't.

- "He only wins among black voters"- Well Maine, Nebraska, and Washington are pretty white.

- And the best by far... "We didn't put any resources into the smaller states"- Big mistake my friends.  The Hillary campaign overestimated their success for February 5th.  When Obama was running ads in post-Feb. 5 states, Hillary was just working on Feb. 5th states.  And now, Hillary is leaving Wisconsin a day before their primary on Tuesday to jet off to Texas and Ohio.

Now it is onto Hawaii and Wisconsin.

Then off to Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Get out and vote!  Or help phone bank for the campaign.

Quick on Results (more to come later...)

Barack Obama has gone 8-8 over the past 4 days of primaries since Super Tuesday.

Many of his wins have been decisive with 20-30 point leads over Hillary Clinton.

This, combined with Obama's money-making grassroots machine show that he's a candidate that needs to be reckoned with by the Clinton campaign.

Check out the fundraising goal of the Obama campaign (above), along with the total as of now.

I think the Obama campaign is going to have to increase their goal!

Now onto Wisconsin and Hawaii to finish out February.  Then off to Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island, and Vermont on mini-Super Tuesday March 4th.

More to come later about breaking down the recent results, personal campaign experience, and the Clinton spin.

As of right now, I encourage you to make a donation to the Barack Obama campaign.  Do something that you believe in.  Make a difference in the 2008 Democratic Nomination process.  Change America.  Change Politics.  Change the World.

OBAMA '08!