Moderation and Reason are First!!

98.

Indy Steve
Mon, 01/07/08

I agree 100^%.  In a perfect world it will be someone who balances, but more importantly it needs to be a common young/change agent theme.

Clinton/Gore (1992) was all about "Young Moderate New Democrats".   

For those who interested in terms definitions..., lol, what means "change", "strength", etc. and generally about "common sense"..., WELCOME!

-----------

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/fron...

Jan. 7, 2008, 10:20AM

Snubbed by Fox, Paul holds own N.H. forum


N.H. GOP pulls out of forum after Paul snubbed
GOP roundup: Romney, McCain clash in Fox debate
Democratic roundup in New Hampshire
Ron Paul takes detour to tape Leno show MANCHESTER, N.H. — Shut out of a GOP presidential candidate forum sponsored by Fox News, Ron Paul staged his own televised town hall meeting today in which he fielded questions from undecided voters two days before the key primary election here.

Part1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxldrCsVB...

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VQcpmfT0...

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/articles/161/...

What Does Freedom Really Mean?

"Few Americans understand that all government action is inherently coercive. If nothing else, government action requires taxes. If TAXES were FREELY PAID, they WOULDN'T BE CALLED TAXES, they'd be called DONATIONS. If we intend to use the word freedom in an honest way, we should have the simple integrity to give it real meaning: Freedom is living without government coercion. So when a politician talks about freedom for this group or that, ask yourself whether he is advocating more government action or less."

by Ron Paul, Dr. February 7, 2005

THIS IS HOWARD DEAN'S BLOG. HOWARD DEAN IS FIRST.

I forgot to link and quote this diary from this morning -- I agree that the American people are not totally stupid. This is the excerpt I like:

Quote

What HRC and Penn do not realize is that times are very different. 2008 is nothing like 2004. Five major events have dramatically changed America. Those 5 events are Terri Schiavo, Hurricane Katrina, The Housing Collapse, $3 Gas, and Where's Osama. And people now spot the BS.

Terri Schiavo awoke Americans to the fact that the Republican Party is controlled by people who are just like the Taliban. And that scared them.
Hurricane Katrina awoke Americans to the fact that Republicans don't care about people. And that angered them. The Housing Collapse and $3 Gas awoke Americans to the fact that Republicans suck on the economy. And that concerned them. And Where's Osama awoke Americans to the fact that Republicans are truly disastrous on foreign policy issues because even Mr. Magoo could capture Bin Laden if given 7 years to do so.

So now the electorate is poised to begin a new era where the Washington Cocktail Party Elitists, the uber wealthy corporate interests, and Washington insiders can rot in hell while the rest of us fix this nation.

Unquote

From the KOS diary:

Why Hillary's Campaign Is Imploding
by davefromqueens [Subscribe]

Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 04:56:28 AM PST

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/7/7...

To my regret -- school work calls -- see y'all later.

12:28 PM ET in N FL where we kinda like our swamps :~) and so do the gators.

5.

Annilow -

Amen to that.

(oh, btw, though you and I are usually on the same "side" [smile] on most issues on this blog here, one thing that I suspect we'll be divided on is this upcoming Sat Jan 12 N E Patriots versus Jacksonville Jags playoff game -- may the best team win [smile])

Obama -- fighting on two fronts (against Clinton and against McCain) and winning both fronts ?:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20080107/pl_cq_politics/politics2652482_2

Obama Opens Up Wide Lead In N.H. Polls

By CQ Staff

1 hour, 29 minutes ago

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has opened up a wide lead over New York Sen. Hillary Clinton in the Democratic contest in New Hampshire, while Arizona Sen. John McCain's contest with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is closer, according to a new round of polls today.

...

The Gallup Poll weighed in this morning with news that Obama now enjoys a 41 percent to 28 percent lead over Clinton, with whom he was in a tie last month. Edwards is at 19 percent. Obama is doing particularly well among Independents, who can vote in either party's primary, and according to another poll - by Rasmussen Reports - that is causing some problems for McCain because he not only is competing against Romney for Republican votes, but against Obama for Independent votes.

...

The Rasmussen poll says that Obama is poised to win a "sizable victory" in New Hampshire while the McCain-Romney contest is too close to call.

A new Zogby poll has Obama ahead of Clinton 39 percent to 29 percent, with Edwards at 19 percent. McCain leads Romney 34 percent to 29 percent. The margin of error is 3.4 percent.

American Research Group has Obama ahead of Clinton 39 percent to 28 percent, with Edwards at 22 percent. McCain leads Romney 35 percent to 27 percent. The margin of error is 4 percent.

Edwards and Clinton are in the margin of error for second.

I'm betting two out of three New Hampsire voters are progressive enough to keep Clinton under 30%

Maine's local news networks are "covering" the schtick in New Hampstuuh.

Mainers do watch their local news--bigtime (NBC, ABC, CBS).

Billary was evading the entire query, re: high cost of oil/gas in Maine & New England.

Went on a mini-rant about "reducing dependency," & "developing alternative policies" spiel.

Yadayadayada doesn't bode well in New England...esp. Maine.

Bullsh^t.

Print and TV media is swamped w/nothing but stories of Mainers choosing between food, medicine, foreclosures, bankruptcy, and heating oil/gas.

Over 80% heat homes w/oil.

"Policies," be damned.

She's toast (pun intended).

http://tinyurl.com/2drxbe

Granny D endorses Edwards.

http://tinyurl.com/3727rl

I hope the NH result in the dem primary ends up with Clinton placing third (a IA redux for her).

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Joseph Somsel
American Thinker
January 4, 2008

"There is nothing wrong with your thermostat. Do not attempt to adjust the temperature. We are controlling your power consumption. If we wish to make it hotter, we will turn off your air conditioner. If we wish to make it cooler, we will turn off your heater. For the next millennium, sit quietly and we will control your home temperature. We repeat, there is nothing wrong with your thermostat. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to… SACRAMENTO!"*

Building codes and engineering standards are generally good things. Updating and improving codes and standards better protect us against earthquakes, for example, as we better understand the weak points and failure modes of existing construction techniques. Requirements that ensure proper handling of sanitary wastes can be largely credited with the increased life spans in industrialized countries through the reduction of communicable diseases.

In California, we have 236 pages of state-mandated standards for building energy efficiency, known as Title 24. This prescribes methods for calculating the sizes of your home windows, the capacities of your air conditioner and heater, the thickness of the insulation in your attic. A small cottage industry has sprung up to perform these engineering calculations that are required for any new commercial or residential construction or major change to existing structures. While I’ve never personally been involved in this branch of retail professional engineering, I’ve had colleagues who would moonlight doing Title 24 calcs. It is now just part of the mandated paperwork involved in the construction business these days in California.

Printable version

In a speech to students, he said the time was not right to restore ties, but if it were ever in Iran's interests he would endorse such a move.

The US and Iran cut their diplomatic ties after the 1979 Islamic revolution and the subsequent takeover of the US embassy by militants in Tehran.

Relations have been further strained by the row over Iran's nuclear programme.

"We have never said these relations should be suspended indefinitely," said Ayatollah Khamenei.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

no wonder the gun boat flap occured, can't have this kind of news

If you regard the subject with interest, as opposed to an opportunity for political mudwrestling, there is a (very) lengthy, thoughtful analysis regarding the origins and properties of Obama's personality as a political pragamtist and strategist.  From the New Yorker last May, called the Conciliator, it's by Larissa MacFarquhar.  It's not a fluff article or a hit piece.  Here are just a couple excerpts.

"Despite the criticism he has received for being all inspiration and no policy, Obama has so far stuck to what appears to be an instinct that white papers belong on Web sites, not in speeches. It is surprising, given the recent electoral record of Democratic policy wonks, that he is not given more credit for the astuteness of this approach, but it’s true that it’s not just strategy—it’s who he is. 'He doesn’t have the handicap that a lot of smart people have, which is that they come across as "You’re not smart enough to talk to me,"' George Haywood, a private investor and a friend of Obama’s, says. 'Adlai Stevenson, another Illinois guy, had that—he came across as an egghead and it was off-putting to people. Barack is the opposite.' Probably one of the reasons for this is that Obama seems not to attach much value to cleverness as such. Even in law school, perhaps the place more than any other where sheer cleverness is prized and love of argument for its own sake is fundamental to the culture, he was not much interested in academic jousting.

"No, Obama’s detachment, his calm, in such small venues, is less professorial than medical—like that of a doctor who, by listening to a patient’s story without emotional reaction, reassures the patient that the symptoms are familiar to him. It is also doctorly in the sense that Obama thinks about the body politic as a whole thing. If you are presenting a problem as something that they have perpetrated on us, then whipping up outrage is natural enough; but if you take unity seriously, as Obama does, then outrage does not make sense, any more than it would make sense for a doctor to express outrage that a patient’s kidney is causing pain in his back. There is also, of course, a racial aspect to this. 'If you’re a black male, you don’t have to try hard to impress people with your aggression,' Haywood says. 'There was a period when black politicians started to be successful, and it was understood that if you wanted to be mainstream you’d better have gray hair. Doug Wilder was an example. David Dinkins. Mayor Bradley in L.A. To be popular with the broader white electorate, you’d better look safe, you’d better not look angry. Now, I don’t think Barack made a conscious decision to come across this way, but it is a happy accident. Some people may have seen his speech at the Democratic Convention, or heard that he rocked the house, and they may be disappointed, but the mainstream is not ready for a fire-breathing black man.' (It seems likely that, consciously or not, Obama has learned from these examples, and knows that the election of a President Obama wouldn’t mean a revolution in race relations, any more than women prime ministers were a sign of flourishing feminism in South Asia. Bigotry has always made exceptions.)

" . . .

"Obama’s voting record is one of the most liberal in the Senate, but he has always appealed to Republicans, perhaps because he speaks about liberal goals in conservative language. When he talks about poverty, he tends not to talk about gorging plutocrats and unjust tax breaks; he says that we are our brother’s keeper, that caring for the poor is one of our traditions. Asked whether he has changed his mind about anything in the past twenty years, he says, 'I’m probably more humble now about the speed with which government programs can solve every problem. For example, I think the impact of parents and communities is at least as significant as the amount of money that’s put into education.' Obama encourages his crossover appeal. He doesn’t often criticize the Bush Administration directly; in New Hampshire recently, he told his audience, 'I’m a Democrat. I’m considered a progressive Democrat. But if a Republican or a Conservative or a libertarian or a free-marketer has a better idea, I am happy to steal ideas from anybody and in that sense I’m agnostic.' 'The number of conservatives who’ve called me—roommates of mine, relatives who are Republicans—who’ve said, "He’s the one Democrat I could support, not because he agrees with me, because he doesn’t, but because I at least think he’ll take my point of view into account,"' Michael Froman, a law-school friend who worked in the Clinton Administration and is now involved in Obama’s campaign, says. 'That’s a big thing, mainstream Americans feeling like Northeast liberals look down on them.'

"After Obama’s Convention speech, Republican bloggers rushed to claim him, under headings such as 'Right Speech, Wrong Convention' and 'Barack Obama: A Republican Soul Trapped Inside a Democrat’s Body.' The Convention speech was uncharacteristically Reaganesque for Obama, being almost uniformly sunny about America, which he called a 'magical place'; these days, he tends to be more sombre. Even so, Republicans continue to find him congenial, especially those who opposed the war on much the same conservative grounds that he did. Some of Bush’s top fund-raisers are contributing to Obama’s campaign. In his election to the U.S. Senate, Obama won forty per cent of the Republican vote; now there is a group called Republicans for Obama, founded by John Martin, a law student and Navy reservist shortly to be posted to Afghanistan, which has chapters in six states . . . . Of course, not all Republicans like Obama—John Martin receives a steady stream of rude e-mails. 'Hi John, Just wanted to let you know that there aren’t Republicans for Obama Hussein Barack,' one woman wrote. 'Please remove me from your mailing list and get over your white guilt.' 'Some Republicans you scum are!' a man from Hobe Sound, Florida, wrote. 'This is someone who has a 100% left wing voting record in the Senate, including rejection of Roberts and Alito and wants to repeal our tax cuts. Screw him! And screw you too!'"

Printable version

More so than any other since the toppling of Saddam Hussein, 2008 is set to be a make-or-break year for Iraq.

(...) casualties, showed a sustained decline.

But none of the threats to Iraq's stability and future has been definitively defeated.

None of the factors feeding into the improvement is irreversible.

Window of opportunity

And there have been many warnings that if the security gains are not underpinned by political and economic measures, they risk being squandered.

So there is a window of opportunity which could close sharply if it is not exploited.

But that vision could turn out to be a pipe dream - it is not hard to imagine a much grimmer scenario, such as:

• bickering Iraqi politicians fail to rise above their differences and agree vital legislation, which is already months behind schedule and would weld the country together
• as US forces start to thin out to pre-surge levels by July 2008, al-Qaeda begins to make a comeback
• Sunni "local security" forces established by the US, clash with Shia militias, which laid low until the American grip loosened
• Iraq disintegrates into sectarian strife, perhaps descends into unequivocal civil war.

"You're certainly not going to hear from me that al-Qaeda is defeated and that victory is at hand," said the US ambassador, Ryan Crocker.

"Al-Qaeda has shown an extraordinary persistence, and they are persisting now, although clearly, their abilities have been badly damaged."

The US troop surge, built up over the first half of 2007, saw the Americans directly and more proactively tackling the militant Islamist groups linked to al-Qaeda under the umbrella of the "Islamic State in Iraq".

The result: by the end of the year, around 80,000 Sunni youths were on the US payroll as local guards looking out for al-Qaeda infiltrators.

You're certainly not going to hear from me that al-Qaeda is defeated and that victory is at hand," said the US ambassador, Ryan Crocker.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

and so the failure of neo-con policy is complete since there was no al-Queda in Iraq before we invaded

the next President has one h*ll of a mess to clean-up after

PICTURE =1K WORDS

what's with all the picks of males for VP on the last thread, huh?  why not have a strong woman, one who the repugs like less than Obama or Edwards (and probably Hillary, too!), but has shown to be a strong leader in the Senate and a real progressive -  I think Barbara Boxer would be an ideal VP pick for any dem candidate!

lol - good photo, hujo!

Boxer won't be on any VP list for obama. She's got too many guts and would tilt the ticket far too liberal. Obama will likely choose a middle candidate to "unify" the ticket. And as Linda said, someone with hawkish foreign policy creds.

Colin Powell or possibly James Webb would fit the bill.  Not Richardson -- I think he's working hard for Clinton.

Edwards will pick Obama.

  I think Barbara Boxer would be an ideal VP pick for any dem candidate!

So do I, but unless we really expect to kick Repug ass in the senate elections, we should leave our sitting senators be.

The congressional Dems have squandered any chance of an election landslide by their cowardice and inaction. They'll be lucky to hold on.

Jennifer Granholm, the current Michigan Governor comes to mind as an attractive and articulate choice for VP.

Howard Dean is always first at the bfa.


---

(video) Howard Dean, the original Internet candidate, speaks about the influence of the Internet on political campaigns. http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=11...

I'm here in New Hampshire canvassing and doing visibility for Dennis Kucinich.

I have heard a lot of conversation about Jim Webb being a good VP choice. I agree that he would.

Dean's intro to the Dem event on Friday was excellent - as was my candidate's remarks.

David A. Stevenson
Mon, 01/07/08

Hi, David,

Give us a report from the field! Good luck.

On Webb, I have never really trusted him. He regards Reagan as a great President and supported him as secy. of Navy. He is a closet hawk although against the way the iraq war has been run. And he has been a huge disappointment this year. No applauding from me...

21.

Colin Powell is a Republican.



Senator Boxer would be a wonderful Vice President. I would love to see her as President of the U.S. Senate.

btw, Senator Boxer hosted a fundrasier for Senator Obama. But she has not endorsed anybody for President.

Indy, I am with you on that, and I have let it be known.

Our city committee cochair works in Webb's Va Beach office and I let my feelings be know.

Susan wrote: Colin Powell is a Republican.

That's my point. Obama will pick someone following his unity/compromise message.

linda b
Mon, 01/07/08

Linda,

I know you have! And Webb is better than his former opponent, no question. But I had high hopes that were dashed. I have Bayh here to vote for....whooopeee! He or Richardson will be Clinton's VP pick (but she won't get to make it, hopefully ; )

A look at General Election polling now after Iowa

...Kentucky.

SurveyUSA. 1/7. Registered voters. MoE 4.2% (12/16 results)

Huckabee (R) 53 (46)
Clinton (D) 41 (47)

Huckabee (R) 54 (51)
Obama (D) 35 (38)

http://www.surveyusa.com/index.php/2008/...


...Huckabee has gained and PULLED support from these Democrats.

Duncan Hunter will not drop out of the race. Well, that's a hohum, but he said, "Some Dorpoate knucklehead at ABC kept him out of the debate and then asked when he was going to drop out. Bill Schneider at CNN said "Good for him, that's what I would have done". But then, he went on to explain that networks hosting the debates don't want an overcrowded stage.

Well, an overcrowded stage is what democracy looks like. These candidates who have been shut out for the purpose of promoting the media "fix", Rep. and Dem, should get together and deliver a blow to the Corp.

Linda*in*SFNM
Mon, 01/07/08

People are so fickle, it's scary. How would Edwards do? Oh, yeah, he is being completely ignored by the pollsters and MSM. They want to bury him. That should tell us something.

Kentucky is not likely a Dem pickup state anyway, is it?

Ed Schultz is saying that the Clinton campaign has now moved it's "fire wall" to Denver. This means a brokered convention.

How many of you Deaniac Dems are going to be there as delegates? Could this be where we take over the Party? I'm starting to get intersted again.

People..........for Gods sake...........the coiuntry is on war mode right now.........remember 1984? Geraldine Ferraro................lets wise up...........the Republican ticket of Mccain/Huckabee already smell blood in the water with Mr Compromise himself, Obama..................

Alice Cooper warned us in the 70s..........no more Mr Nice Guy...............I smell disaster

Indie of course I know there is no chance any of them would choose BB - but I love her (and think she's doing a fine job right now anyway)!  it's just wishful thinking - I would love our first female president to be much like her.

Indy.....

I don't think Edwards would pick Obama as VP. He also needs to pick someone with experience. Dean would be a good match for unity. Dean suggested we should support him after he dropped out. Of course Webb would be a good choice for any of them. Also, Barbara Boxer, or Maxine Waters, my favorite. i think Maxine has enough House terms under her belt to qualify for experienced.

....Convention....  Go to the mattresses!  LOL

39. Audrey...I don't either.

gotta' go. 

Linda*in*SFNM
Mon, 01/07/08

Thanks, Linda. Hadn't seen that one.

It isn't just that the MSM is covering trivialities, of course. They want to bury Edwards and his message about corporate control, disastrous economy,  ASAP. Sadly, it looks as if they may succeed. I just don't like the Obama hope/unity/compromise hype. It is either naive or dishonest and that doesn't cut it with me.

27.

Susan Rowe
btw, I thought it was the other way around, Obama did a

fundraiser for Senator Boxer....that was when he called her, "a cutie".

Linda*in*SFNM
Mon, 01/07/08
___________________________________________________________________________

Linda,

The way it works in this democracy is that the media picks the matchups..sorta like the best games of the NFL on the weekend..Obama, is the media darling.......guaranteed to bring in lots ov viewers...........the clasic matchup will be the minority canddiates who espouses hope and compromise(a sign of weakness if barked too much) agaainst probably the military darling, John Mccain or the Evangelical answer to the rapture himself, Huckabee..................

Michael Ellis
Mon, 01/07/08

And the alternative is to get behind a fighter like Edwards. I know that's tough for you, Mike. But what would you propose? Edwards numbers are rising as Clinton's fall. Don't know if there's enough time. And, there's SC and NV to get through.

 It is either naive or dishonest and that doesn't cut it with me.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ahh, Indy..........these guys are politicians.........what do you expect?

Indy Steve
Mon, 01/07/08

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You haven been reading my posts..........I have come to the conclusion, but will not vote ....that Edwards is the best overall candidate, with a Dodd maybe VP to take on Mccain/Huckabee.........

Some things I like about Obama..........some things I dont.  I dont support Edwards, but feel he is the best chance of winning in November.............

Michael Ellis
Mon, 01/07/08

Right. But it wouldn't work if people weren't so dam lazy and manipulated. Everyone is suddenly an "agent of change". LOL!

We should not be rewarding politicians who are openly dishonest or naive.

My view is that Obama has become a "vessel" that everyone can pour whatever they want into it. His speeches are so vague and full of platitudes (but sound grand) that leaves a lot of leeway to make him into whatever one wants.

This isn't to bash him; just to point out what his strategy is. Don't take unpopular stands, speak about convictions and principle and let others make up the rest.

I saw the aknowledged "ugliest man alive - except for Keith Richard" perform that song on Letterman a few years ago.

I would characterize Obama as a very likely winner in a matchup against any of the R's.

And the notion of white voters answering pollsters with "Yeah, I'd vote for a black candidate." - then doing the opposite in the voting booth. That notion was put to rest in Tennessee in '06 - where Harold Ford, Jr. did better on election day than he did in pre-election polls.

 Note: The previous statement is by NO means a complement from me about Harold "Mr. DLC" Ford.

5.

Annilow
Mon, 01/07/08

THIS IS HOWARD DEAN'S BLOG. HOWARD DEAN IS FIRST.

6.

* rdorgan
Mon, 01/07/08

5.
Annilow -
Amen to that.
(oh, btw, though you and I are usually on the same "side" [smile] on most issues on this blog here,...
--------------

...lol,

Well first of all that is NOT “HOWARD DEAN'S BLOG” but “Democracy for America blog” since long, long ago! And “Democracy” (the “real” one, of course), is not the mater of “ownership” by either Party or non-Party, or whatever else. It belongs to ALL and EVERY ONE of us!

Secondly, I’ve already said it here (at least) once that because of such a universal kind of ownership such a Democracy has NO LIMITS for enhancements and improvements.

One may confuse him/her-self very deeply when falling into believe that Party’s LABEL or any other LABEL has any MONOPOLY on the “real” Democracy. If that would be true the proper name for such a monopoly would be something close to fascism..., which may have many faces!

Yes, former, this blog belongs to all and each and everyohe of us, and we say it's Howard Dean's blog. That's the beauty of it.lol

These candidates are way more complicated than you give them credit for and probably the smartest policy wonks of the group, and they all have enough Democratic values to come through on most issues with a progressive Congress. It is really important to consolidate the gains of 06.

For the life of me I don't see why Clinton didn't shed the Bill team and run as her own self, but since she did not, her change argument, with Bill in the picture creates conflicting messages.

That leads me to believe Obama has the better political instincts since his team hasn't put him at odds with who he is as a person.

John Edwards is the most authentic in matching his values to his message, what dissonance there would be for Obama to articulate the "epic battle" line.

I'm with Mike, a McCain/Huckabee ticket would require the greatest of care in a selection of a VP because this isn't going to be easy whoever we pick. 

42.  Well, he is really gaining momentum and is getting the real  support for being the real populist providing the REAL change.  So...we'll see.

...The Nation, Ed Schultz, Granny D, Helen Thomas, Katrina Vander Heuval.....

....the surge. 

52.

audrey.nc
Mon, 01/07/08


Yes, former, this blog belongs to all and each and everyohe of us, and we say it's Howard Dean's blog. That's the beauty of it.lol
-------

...lol, you are correct indeed!

And if blog decides (I guess, by voting?!) that if is not allowed here to reference Ron Paul regarding Democracy or anything else then so be it, I, of course, will obey and will have to look for another blog.

That's the beauty of it..., lol.

whomever whatever

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We can't simply replace a group of corporate Republicans with a group of corporate Democrats and expect change. I've never taken a dime from Washington lobbyists or political action committees. That's why I'm the candidate of change who can take them on – and win for the American people.

I know who the underdogs are in this fight. I know that the fight to save the middle class will be an epic battle – but I will never give up.

We're going to take this fight to save the middle class and to speak up for those who have no voice all the way to the convention and to the White House. And we're going to look our children in the eye and tell them, "We left you a better life than we had."

I'm asking you to join me in this epic battle – a fight to preserve the greatness of America.

Click here to make a contribution

Franklin Roosevelt said, "There is nothing I love so much as a good fight." He spoke for the underdogs and the voiceless of an earlier generation of Americans.

Today, the fight for bold and lasting change continues. With your help, I will fight for the real underdogs of America every single day.

Sincerely,

--John
  January 6, 2008

Edwards is in this until the convention as well. He said it without question on This Week on Sunday. Good for him. He is rising as Clinton is falling. Polls have Edwards within 8 points of Clinton and moving up.

On to Feb. 5 and let voters decide whether they want change through compromise or change through fighting for it.

The Hillary Clinton Farewell Tour song :

When I was number one it was a very good year
It was a very good year for corporate girls and hard-nosed war words
We'd hide from Code Pink on the Senate floor
When I was number one

When I was still ahead it was a very good year
It was a very good year for "I'm your girl" who threatens terrorist states
And when will those dark-haired guys finally come undone ?
When I was hanging on at number one.

Then I was poll-diving fast - it was a very shaky year
It was too da*n a good year for black-skinned skinny guys
Of change-driven means, he'd be much better off with eight years more practice !
And I was poll-diving fast

But now my numbers grow short, I'm in the autumn of the campaign
And now I think of my life as poll-driven mistake -where's that da*n jerk McAuliffe ?
From the brim to the dregs, and it poured sweet and clear
It was a very good year

Edwards on This Week last Sunday...no lobbyists in an Edwards' Whitehouse. We need him to go to Denver and beyond.

former......


Because Howard Dean's blog belongs to all and every one of us is the reason you can post for Ron Paul or anyone else.

Just please don't post miles of thread like our resident Obama supporter does. People get cranky when they have indigestion from being overstuffed.

Ron Paul is a man of principle former, I respect you for sticking it out with him when many of his views are anti-thetical to so many here..

I would never vote for him because his principles lead to harm IMHO to too many people, and his basic judgement just in which party he is in leads me to question his intelligence, but not his own convictions.

I love to see Paul bashing the phonies with him on stage in a Republican debate.

I will probably see Jim Webb when the General Assembly is sworn in here in Virginia on Wed.

If I do, I will ask him why the votes?

Go John Edwards.

Go Howard.

Go LSU.

Now where are my pompoms???

linda b
Mon, 01/07/08

Let us know his answer. THe last one was the last straw. Funding with absolutely no accountability. Complete capitulation to Mr. 28%. Made Dems look weak (which they are).

Indy......

Yes, Corporate control of our gov't and our lives is THE issue above all others. Dean used to tell us they needed to be regulated and reigned in. Kucinich also. Since Edwards has taken on that message, he needs to be pushed all the way. It really matters little what any of their past positions or comments have been, Corporate greed is killing us, and it
needs to be stopped. Edwards is willing to carry the ball and seems to know it's not going to be nice, he needs all of the help and defense action we can put together, because they will be coming after him in my opinion.

I have stolen a diary from KOS for BFA because it is extremely important.  If the telecom immunity bill goes through, the only significant result will be that Bush has had his illegal spying approved retroactively.  Thus, in addition to evidence that's been "lost" or shredded or otherwise disposed of, another cause for impeachment will be removed.

Why would the Congress be willing to do that?  Because, as I have been arguing, the corruption isn't to be found in the corporations or the lobbyists, but in the public officials who are willing to shirk their responsibilities and are willing to be bought.  Some public officials in the executive have a common interest with public officials in the legislative branch.  They're in cahoots.

There is some puzzlement in the diary why Senator Rockefeller made a hand-written complaint about the secrecy early.  I'm not puzzled.  It was simply an ass-covering gesture which is no longer needed now that he's chair of the committee and fairly sure he won't be compromised by an untimely release of information.  He does have to stand for re-election this year.  Now there's a seat that needs to be contested.  Why is it that Rockefellers decide to settle in poor states like West Virginia and Arkansas and ....... 

http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/23471 

I don't see Edwards being shut out by the media - at least not on msnbc and cnn - he and his wife have had more interviews this past week than any of the others.

62.

Phil Specht
Mon, 01/07/08


Ron Paul is a man of principle former, I respect you for sticking it out with him when many of his views are anti-thetical to so many here..

I would never vote for him because his principles lead to harm IMHO to too many people, and his basic judgement just in which party he is in leads me to question his intelligence, but not his own convictions.
-------

Sorry to hear that...., especially from you.

I'll dedicate it to the lack of time you have "to study" his points very (!!!) carefully.

He IS NOT a good speaker (although improving greatly for the last several weeks, probably thanks to his campaign managers..., lol) but his (the deepest I ever seen around among candidates as well as non-candidates) knowledge of economical laws and its implication on people's life is incomparable to anyone else's.

I only hope you (as well as others here) will have some time to study him and understand his points CORRECTLY!

On my part I may only repeat: his stances "ultimately" MEET those of Dean's (and vise-versa), whatever strange and ridiculous it may sound today.

3910

60.

audrey.nc
Mon, 01/07/08

former......

Because Howard Dean's blog belongs to all and every one of us is the reason you can post for Ron Paul or anyone else.
-------
...lol, Thanks!


Just please don't post miles of thread like our resident Obama supporter does. People get cranky when they have indigestion from being overstuffed.
-------
Have I ever done that?
I don't remember.

43

Barbara Boxer is a sweetie isn't she. I think she would be a great President or VP.  I have noticed that Senator Obama uses sweetie alot when he is talking with people.  Kind of like alot of people use dear.

49

Respectively disagree with you on this.  Simply what I see in Senator Obama is someone who did not vote for the Iraq war, I believe he is honest, caring, intelligent, was a respected constituional professor.

Your statement that he hasn't taken an unpopular stand isn't true, he took the stand against the Iraq was when it was unpopular to do so.  You know when John Edwards voted for it.  No disrespect intended.

It isn't just that the MSM is covering trivialities, of course. They want to bury Edwards and his message about corporate control, disastrous economy,

Every time I turned on the news yesterday there was his drawling mug. If they're burrying him in anything, it's free publicity. 

Pls. give a quick virtual vote in this very unscientific and statistically invalid Maine U.S. Sen. and U.S. House primary "poll" (Chellie & Tom).

Thanks~

http://www.newsofmaine.blogspot.com/

Your statement that he hasn't taken an unpopular stand isn't true, he took the stand against the Iraq was when it was unpopular to do so.  You know when John Edwards voted for it.  No disrespect intended.

Edwardians are trying to rewrite history with rovian determination. Plenty of disrespect intended.

Ron Paul on the issues, if you really want to learn why not to vote for him.  he has a lot of good qualities but overall his values do not match mine:

http://www.issues2000.org/Ron_Paul.htm

Jo*in*Vermont
Mon, 01/07/08

That's because they're working hard to get on. But the commentary from pundits is undeniably negative. They want to write him off or bury him. But he and Elizabeth won't stand for it. Yes, he's been everywhere. I don't know when either of them get any sleep.

s m
Mon, 01/07/08

Obama didn't have to vote because he was in the IL STATE Senate and preparing a run for the IL Senate. Taking a stand against Bush and the war was not unpopular in that primary race. In fact, it was a great political move. I'm talking about since: he has played it safe.

Sitka
Mon, 01/07/08

Back to your insulting and lying ways again, Sitka.  Get a life.

32.

Indy Steve

FYI

My hubby and I went to college with Evan Bayh. He's not his Daddy that is for sure. I can't stand Evan Bayh. He's worst than Lieberman. Little Evan Byah was a spoiled brat then and he is even a worst brat now. He'll never be Clinton's choice for a VP. He voted against a women's right to choose. And the idiot actually tried to strong arm the DNC Indiana delegation to vote against Gov. Dean's 50 State Strategy. Don't you read the Indianapolis Star? Evan Bayh was the President of the DLC. That Camp Bayh cult emersion process thing he has going on in Indiana for young people is a total joke. He came to California when he was thinking about running for President last year to raise money and plan a tour. He was exposed for what he really is. He didn't have the tour and dropped out of the race. He hasn't been back since.

Edwards on NCLB..... 

<> <> Voted for the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001.

<>Criticizes President Bush for not requesting enough money to fully fund the act.

Did not vote on a failed Democratic amendment to a 2003 appropriations bill that would have increased funding to No Child Left Behind from $11.4 billion to $16 billion.

Back to your insulting and lying ways again, Sitka.  Get a life\

You really should stop looking into a mirror when you type. Get some manners. 

75.

Jo*in*Vermont
Mon, 01/07/08


Ron Paul on the issues, if you really want to learn why not to vote for him. he has a lot of good qualities but overall his values do not match mine:
-----

???
Wrong address to learn, imo!
His voting statistics on the bills one now nothing about (except its name) IS WRONG ADDRESS TO LEARN!
Strange, (modestly speaking) how such "yes-no" info in front of bill name may educate anyone?!

I may understand now why practically none here knows any significantly deep info regarding his stances.

Those who really wants to learn may want to read his articles, go to his site or (I think, the best yet way) search and listen to him on "Your Tube"!

Indy wrote of Obama "Don't take unpopular stands, speak about convictions and principle and let others make up the rest."

This type of misconception is common.  The following is from a NYT report on 5/7/07:

"Senator Barack Obama of Illinois criticized American auto companies today for doing too little to lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign oil and said the United States must adopt a more aggressive energy policy.

"In a speech that hit hard at the failings of Detroit automakers, Mr. Obama, a Democratic presidential candidate, said Japanese companies had done far better than their Detroit counterparts to develop energy efficient vehicles.

"Mr. Obama, speaking to a sold-out meeting of the Economic Club of Detroit, proposed stricter fuel economy standards, wading into a debate under way in Washington on increasing the corporate average fuel economy, now at 27.5 miles a gallon for cars and 24 miles a gallon for light trucks.

“'For years, while foreign competitors were investing in more fuel-efficient technology for their vehicles, American automakers were spending their time investing in bigger, faster cars,' he said, according to a text of his remarks. 'And whenever an attempt was made to raise our fuel efficiency standards, the auto companies would lobby furiously against it, spending millions to prevent the very reform that could’ve saved their industry.'"

It's probably safe to say that In the Senate, Obama and Edwards tacked towards the center in their voting records.  There is an obligation for elected office holders, and a burden for those who are running for president, to represent their diverse constituency. 

The difference is Edwards has run for the presidency twice.  When he was a senator, the administration's saber rattling seemed like a worthwhile plank to nail into his platform.  He even encouraged his running mate, Sen. Kerry, to show resolve by not recanting his Iraq authorization vote, in spite of Kerry's growing reservations. 

When Edwards was through with presidential run No. 1 and out of office, he seized the opportunity to do what he advised Kerry not to and disavowed his own war vote, taking up his fiery, populist as a private citizen. 

Obama is running for the presidency for the first time.  He didn't have pro war sympathies to renounce.  He also, like Edwards, has managed to run a campaign to the left of Clinton, but as a sitting senator, challenging the auto companies on environmental reform, not as a private citizen but as an elected official  bidding for the presidency.  It's a substantive difference between the two candidates.

The great communicator?
Bill Clinton saying that he can't make her taller or make her a man, but she would make the best president.

Whoa! Thanks Bill for helping us out. She should have left him at home, or better yet, kicked him out when he was at home.

Bill most often acts as if he doesn't really want to be the first "First Gentleman."

My view is that Obama has become a "vessel" that everyone can pour whatever they want into it. His speeches are so vague and full of platitudes (but sound grand) that leaves a lot of leeway to make him into whatever one wants.

This isn't to bash him; just to point out what his strategy is. Don't take unpopular stands, speak about convictions and principle and let others make up the rest.

Please cite Edwards' unpopular stands (any Edwardian who agree with the above statement.)  I doubt if there are any since they all seem to be poll driven.

Bill most often acts as if he doesn't really want to be the first "First Gentleman."  

No surpirse there.  Too much scrutiny.

74.

Sitka
Mon, 01/07/08

Back to your insulting and lying ways again, Sitka.  Get a life.

Indy, you get a grip. I don't recall one instance where Sitka lied.
And pointing out facts is not insulting in my book.
Just my point of view.

4:28 pm EST

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSYqEVfFmtw

New thread

http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/23472...

As far as VP choice…
Dems cannot afford to lose any more Senate seats. If BO or HC win, Dems are down a set and must depend on Lieberputz to control the Senate. This assumes nothing else changes.
For BO and JE, there are plenty of good, former Senators or Reps such as former Senator Bill Bradley. Dollar Bill talks like he is chewing a jar full of peanut butter but he would do great in the debates. Besides, he can always hit the long J.
Dems need to fully adopt Howards 50 state campaign and add enough Senate seats to get a super majority (if Repubs get the POTUS) and offset the defectors that plague Dems .
But stop reducing Dems numbers in the Senate.
If HC wins, it doesn’t matter who the VP officially is because Bubba has the job. I hear he is out shopping for blue dresses.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/23472

New front thread. 

This woman is seriously stupid--

Clinton and Obama, Johnson and King

Clinton rejoined the running argument over hope and "false hope" in an interview in Dover this afternoon, reminding Fox's Major Garrett that while Martin Luther King Jr. spoke on behalf of civil rights, President Lyndon Johnson was the one who got the legislation passed.

Clinton was asked about Obama's rejoinder that there's something vaguely un-American about dismissing hopes as false, and that it doesn't jibe with the careers of figures like like John F. Kennedy and King.

"Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act," Clinton said. "It took a president to get it done."

Clinton didn't explicitly compare herself to Johnson, or Obama to King. But it seems an odd example for the argument between rhetoric and action, as there's little doubt which figure's place in history and the American imagination is more secure.

"The power of that dream became real in people's lives because we had a president" capable of action, Clinton said.

The interview was taped, and I listened in. It's set to air later today.

sm, LOL I guess we could call her that,   But a Senator speaking to another Senator is different and it wasn't Sweetie he called her, it was Cutie.    That would be like Senator Boxer  introducing him and saying , isn't he a hottie.  I don't think that would go over too good either.

Linda,  LOL, you got me there.  Well she is cute too.  Guess what I was trying to say is Obama speaks like all the time.  I don't really think he meant anything by it.

Looks like you live in New Mexico, New Mexico is absolutely my favorite state.  My favorite place Chaco Canyon.