The Deans, DFA and DFA Grassroots and Netroots are first!

Jessica thank you -- I'm giving it some serious consideration.

3:23 PM EST

in Clinton Country:

http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/484888.html

Posted on Mon, Feb. 11, 2008 01:54 PM

Poll: Clinton leads in Rhode Island

...

THE NUMBERS

Hillary Rodham Clinton, 36 percent

Barack Obama, 28 percent

Uncommitted, 27 percent

Undecided, 9 percent

---

OF INTEREST

Clinton continues to lead in the Ocean State, although Obama is gaining ground. The same poll in September showed 35 percent of likely voters supporting Clinton, while 16 percent supported Obama. Uncommitted is a ballot option for Rhode Island voters.

...

3:27 PM EST

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/straw-poll/

Phil, forwarding the payroll taxes are a mandate on the employer, a condition of engaging in commerce and enjoying the protections of things like the patent office and the courts.  That a portion is being paid by the employee is sort of a fiction that permits the federal government to collect an income tax on a larger amount.  The employee pays a percentage of income tax on the payroll share assessed to him; the employer does not, but rather deducts that as an expense.  Now that a portion of SS retirement benefits are taxed if the person earns over a certain amount, there's an argument that there's double taxation here--you pay tax when the money gets put in on your behalf and then you pay another tax when it comes out.

I'm ticket number 198 for Deanfest as it is unlikely I'll be elected an Obama delegate since I was an Edwards supporter unless we caucus together first to get the fair share won Jan 3rd then I will be like I am now to the next level here a former Edwards supporter now with Obama. (that's not so hard seashell, we only have two choices)

In the unlikely event I go to Denver I'll give my Deanfest scholarship on the basis of need.

That a portion is being paid by the employee is sort of a fiction that permits the federal government to collect an income tax on a larger amount.  The employee pays a percentage of income tax on the payroll share assessed to him; the employer does not, but rather deducts that as an expense.

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

Monica I pay my employees share for them rather than set up some kind of 401K, and saving them the tax on the tax. I do feel it is the duty of an employer to contribute to an employee's retirement; part of the social contract I remit a couple of thousand dollars a month so understand how it works quite well. lol

Authenticity: This is solely my opinion but I think Clinton has a real authenticity problem. Today she said she isn't worried about momentum. On 60 Minutes when asked by Couric if she thinks about losing she commented that she never even thinks about losing. Give me a break. I'd like her a whole lot more if she'd be a *normal* person and not so scripted. When my daughter interviewed with Ivy League schools -- the comments back to her were that she was authentic and not trying to just give them what they wanted to hear.

hmm, forgot that d fest conflicts with the convention. we have not picked our delegates yet, will in april to the state conv then in may to the national. we shall see.

Nearly 100K Indie votes in LA won't be counted.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Up_to_100K...

Yes, I know you know, Phil, but sometimes it's nice to have a hook for what to many is an esoteric topic. LOL

Blog still shifting things around.  4:04 PM est 

Nearly 100K Indie votes in LA won't be counted.

Should be called the Disenfranchisement Party. 

Jessica Falker
Mon, 02/11/08

Jessica,

Thanks for answering my questions on DFEST last thread. I knew there were lots of considerations, just wanted to get them out there. The venue sounds great; hope you won't have trouble finding people in town to speak (politicians get out of dodge in August!).

5.

linda b
Mon, 02/11/08

hmm, forgot that d fest conflicts with the convention

***************************

DemocracyFest is August 16-17. The DNC Convention is August 25-28. Just wanted to make sure people know it's not the same date.

I would have preferred Demfest on Aug. 22-24 in or near Denver (Boulder or in the mountains at a ski resort which is a beautiful place) which would have combined nature, Democracy and the convention. And think of the talent/expertise you could have drawn on since many will be there by then.

Oh well, that's just my preference. DC is good.

Clinton dismisses Obama's caucus wins *dominated by party activists* and LA because of the black votes. Yes, well, at my caucus the people voting for Obama could hardly be called party activists. We had two women over 90 in my precinct and four Republicans and some more Indies - hardly elite activists. I would say we Obama supporters were very positive about our choice.

Whoops - here's the link of Clinton's comments

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2...

Denise, I would have signed your petition, which is worthy, but changed my mind after the snarky comment you made to Audrey....and others.

******************************** 

The Democratic Party is going to be facing a lot worst than that video if Hillary their nominee.

The democratic party is going to be facing a lot worse than that video if BO is their nominee. 

Just for fun or whatever, here's a little of Todd Beeton's firsthand report of the Obama rally in College Park today from myDD:

"I raced down to College Park to hit the first of two rallies Barack Obama is holding here in Maryland today. This one's at the Comcast Center and, well, let's just say it seats 18,000 and this place is full. I've actually never seen anything like this, as far as political events go. I was a bit lost wandering the arena before I found the press entrance and was up in the nosebleed sections and got a view of the place from the top and it was pretty breathtaking; you expect this from a U2 concert. By the way, more than 2 hours after 'doors opened' they're still letting people in, the guards shouting to people 'Come on, you can still make it, Yes you can!' Pretty funny.

" . . . .

"Obama entered to a thunderous roar of the crowd, as you might expect. This crowd is so excited, faces beaming. Obama had to tell everyone they could sit down and relax.

" . . . .

"'What I'm most excited about the crowds we get is the young people who keep turning out.' Place goes nuts. 'The pundits said "oh Howard Dean did that but they never vote."' He then talked about how college students came out in droves for him in Iowa and the place roared. His line about George Bush not being on the ballot got a huge response too. I don't think I've ever seen Obama this comfortable at one of these rallies. He's improvising and the crowd is right there with him."

" . . . .

"The thing about Obama lately is that he's not so much giving a speech as he is having a conversation with the people in the stands. He's wrapping up: 'And I'm talking particularly to the young people in the audience, this is our moment, this is our time. If you stand with me, if you vote for me tomorrow, we will not only win Maryland, we will win the Democratic nomination, we will win the general election, we will together go forward and change this country and change the world.' Place goes nuts. He was definitely on today. A very very confident candidate."

13

Fine with me if you think calling someone a racist and never apologizing for it is OK in your book. It happened about a month ago, and I even wrote to her on her DFA link account to set things right. Not a word from her.

And it's not my petition, seashell. It's for the good of the country.

Why do people think anything they do for the sake of democracy is for someone, personally? How silly!

seashell wrote "Denise, I would have signed your petition, which is worthy, but changed my mind after the snarky comment you made . . ."

Good reason.  The Dean coalition is officially dead.

Democratic insiders agree that Al Gore is the ultimate prize among uncommitted superdelegates, and Clintonistas well understand a Barack Obama endorsement by Bill Clinton's veep would be a huge blow to Hillary.

They're hoping Gore will stay on the sidelines, but shudder over reports Obama has been courting Prince Albert for months.

They also believe that Gore must be sorely tempted to stick it to the Clintons, whom he blames in large part for his defeat in 2000.

"The level of animus between them is unbelievable," a well-placed Hillary partisan confided.

A prominent Democratic strategist with close ties to both camps echoes: "The Clintons and the Gores can't stand each other."

A look at the origin of "si, se puede," which BO has co-opted and not ever given credit to.  He's quite fond of taking credit for ideas, quotes and slogans that are not his.  I wonder who is really is.

Phil, I have 3 choices, should I vote at all in the primary. 

************************** 

An April 11, 2006, Washington Post article with the headline "The Enduring Motto of a Movement" noted:

[The slogan's] origins lie with the Hispanic farmworker labor movement. In 1972, César Chávez, a United Farm Workers of America co-founder and Mexican American labor leader, embarked on a 25-day fast to protest Arizona's anti-farmworker labor laws. When supporters began to doubt that the laws could be changed, UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta, also Mexican American, responded, "Sí se puede."

Chávez adopted the slogan, as did the UFW, which still uses it. According to the UFW's Web site, www.ufw.org, the "sí se puede attitude" is one of the group's core values. The organization defines it as the "embodiment of a personal and organizational spirit that promotes confidence, courage and risk taking."

http://mediamatters.org/items/200801160010 

"and not ever given credit to." ....to  my knowledge.  Perhaps s/o here has heard him give credit to the farm workers as well as the Hopi and can bring us a quote.

The comment shifting makes it too hard to follow conversations here. I'll stick around for the rest of this thread, but if people ever want to find me, I usually hang out at www.howardempowered.com (HEP).

Clinton dismisses Obama's caucus wins *dominated by party activists*

If that is true it means the Clintons are in really big trouble since party people are who they've counted on for support. 

26. LOL, I would hardly say so ;-)

5:02 pm est

It's not dead for most of us Tom, though I'm not sure what you actually meant by that...LOL.

5 Debbie or Dan Downers don't bust up a coalition that strong. Nor do the Paranoid Patties. Or the fearful Frannies.

 Stat Man quoted from a New York Daily News story that "A prominent Democratic strategist with close ties to both camps echoes: 'The Clintons and the Gores can't stand each other.'"

This is new reporting on an old story.   Here is John Heilemann on the subject in New York magazine almost 2 years ago, speculating on whether Gore would run to displace the party front runner, Sen. Clinton:

"Gore’s relationship with Hillary has long been the subject of close study by those in their respective orbits. But few of the extant theories involve the concept of bonhomie. 'He intensely dislikes her,' says one former Gore adjutant. 'It all goes back to 1993 and 1994, when there were two vice-presidents: Al Gore and Hillary Clinton. They fought for turf, for resources, for projects. It was almost like a sibling rivalry over who was the second-most-important person in the White House. Second, they’re highly similar people. They’re very intellectual, very moralistic, very black-and-white—whereas President Clinton’s view was "You’re my enemy today, you’re my friend tomorrow. You fuck up today, you’re going to save the day tomorrow. I want to get along with everybody." And third, when Gore-istas say, "We think Clinton was a negative for Gore in 2000," high on that list is Mrs. Clinton’s running for Senate in 2000—so instead of her and the president being seen as a fading force and letting Gore emerge, it was the Clinton dynasty being seen as an ever-present force in American politics.'"

Hey Thankful are you still in Chicago??

Hi Thankful! Have you been able to access your email yet? It may take you a whole day just to read the emails from me. LOL.

Hey Denise ~ took me a few to find your comment, sheesh!

Yep, waiting for a clear driving day. Looks like Thurs. maybe.

5:14 pm est

OK be safe out there sunshine! I owe you a phone call.

Tonight I have to go to the local university to check out their evening degree program - I think it's time to finish it up, finally. Then I can retire LOL

I can't get into email most of the time I get a little connection. will have to brave the very cold weather and get to the library. I did see the list yesterday, but nothing would actually open. Krezzy. 5:17 pm est

From the previous thread.

57.

Indy Steve
Mon, 02/11/08


You're welcome to read my profile at the DFA-Link anytime.

I wasn't much for blogging until recently. I'm not very good at writing but I sure do like to read. I read everything. Mostly I like to study belief structures. Politics is full of them. Some of them are fascinating.

Denise wrote "It's not dead for most of us Tom, though I'm not sure what you actually meant by that...LOL."

Very simply, this: When Obama invokes Dean's name in his address to the huge crowds of people coming to hear them, he is reminding them of what Dean began.  The underdog, asterisk candidate, breaking onto the political scene; the attacks at the party gates, disgusted at the craven capitulation of the Democratic establishment to Bush's war plans; the rallying cry to young people; the vibrant internet presence, turning almost overnight into a huge fundraising machine; record breaking appearances before crowds of 10, 15, 20,000 people; the call to independents and disaffected moderates who had given up on the partisan rancor in Washington, giving them a reason to finally vote; all of it.

There's an Obama coalition now.  Here, the divisions are bitter, small, and myopic.  After Dean left, rigor mortis set in on the movement.  It took a long time, but the fault lines have finally sheared.

Has anybody been watching C-SPAN today? The Senate presented several new amendments to FISA. Dodd and Feingold were very good.

 Here, the divisions are bitter, small, and myopic.  After Dean left, rigor mortis set in on the movement.  It took a long time, but the fault lines have finally sheared.

~~~~~~~~~

150,000 took part in the pulse poll, hardly a small group 400 plus active meetup groups too, and I see the same divisions on the blog I have seen in Democratic politics for four decades, if you can kind of lump the norml libertarians of past decades with the current Ron Paul crowd.

I just don't see the shearing, but keep trying. If I were paid by Clinton I would sure want to try to kill it too. lol

Ahhh.....I see now Tom. Well the majority of us still have that Dean feeling. I know I do. Thanks for pointing out the similarities between the Obama campaign and Dean's, though there are some differences, as you know.

Let the bitter be bitter. Those of us that "get" elections and know that none of us are going to get everything we want (collective "we") won't be disappointed.

I'm just glad that Bush won't be around much longer. That we can all agree on!

Obama's large crowds and satisfying wins make up for the jeers of our supposed naivety and imminent buyer's remorse.

Tom, I beg to differ... Dean people are *everywhere*. Many got involved in politics for the first time and *stayed* involved. We may argue but it is what we have in common that transcends our differences. Sure there are divisions here, there always has been, but bigger than that, is the fact that what Howard started has continued and that many victories have been won. Fault lines, a few rumbles, whatever ~ to say there's oceanfront property in AZ is plain krezzy.

5:33 pm est

"Now that a portion of SS retirement benefits are taxed if the person earns over a certain amount, there's an argument that there's double taxation here--you pay tax when the money gets put in on your behalf and then you pay another tax when it comes out"

It's not an argument it is a fact.  They are taxing you on the payments they are making to you from the taxes they collected from you in the first place.  Who came up with this system anyway??

Chelsea drew 150 college students at her stops in Milwaukee today. She is out stumping for her mom, but sounded pretty defensive answering questions about her mothers war vote. (what I heard of it on WPR). But I give her credit for trying.

Phil wrote "If I were paid by Clinton I would sure want to try to kill it too. lol"

That's kind of ignorant, but setting it aside for the moment, there are, after all, Clinton supporters here.  Gore, the person who, as we've learned, hates Hillary Clinton,supported Dean on his ascent to take the reins of the Democrat Party from the Clintons.  The Clintons then set Clark on Dean in a counter move.  After the push for Gore candidacy dies a natural death, some supporters opt for Clinton or Dean's other political antagonist, John Edwards. 

You were one. In fact, you were a one-time supporter of DLC president Vilsack's campaign.  Not to ratify it but, employing your logic, were you paid to kill the Dean coalition?

38.

Tom Bearse
Mon, 02/11/08


I think that it's Obama who is apart of the Dean coalition. He quoted Gov. Dean in the last speech that I heard him deliver. Gov. Dean won the DNC Chair by building a coalition around the 50 state strategy. It's obvious to me the Clintons never liked the 50 strategy because they only built their campaign in those states where they were built it in the past. If Hillary wins the nomination you can count on them recoiling back into their old way of doing things very quickly. I don't care how many pledges were signed. Camp Hillary didn't keep their promises in Florida when they claimed she had won the state. Which was and is a ridiculously absurd and totally arrogant assumption for the Hillary camp to be making. It's all rather embarrassing when you think about it and down right shameful.

 Dean's other political antagonist, John Edwards

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

since you have a half dozen untruths in one post lets start with that one

Howard Dean and John Edwards have gotten along well for years. and I see no evidence that Al Gore "hates" anyone

my support for Tom Vilsack as a really decent human who would make an excellent President is true through

haven't followed him to Clinton though

Iowa Gets Funding to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies: Former Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack launched a statewide project called "Iowa Initiative to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies" that will focus on women ages 18 to 30. "As a woman, as a teacher, as a mother, I believe we have a responsibility to give all women in our state the knowledge and the means to prevent unintended pregnancies," she said. From the Des Moines Register:

The Senate is playing a death march while they're waiting for the Senators to gather for a vote on FISA. I wonder who gets to choose their music.

Phil wrote "Howard Dean and John Edwards have gotten along well for years. and I see no evidence that Al Gore 'hates' anyone."

That makes one person who doesn't.

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez of TX to endorse Obama.  He is the son of Henry B. Gonzalez, who was a big time civil rights leader of hispanic voters in TX.   I believe he was called voice of the people.  I hope this helps Obama in TX.

Tom.....

You're not going to drag out those old cut and paste things by Josh somebody who disses Dean from one end to the other. You seemed to enjoy them so much.

Howard Dean in '12, or '08 in case of a turn of events.

audrey wrote "You're not going to drag out those old cut and paste things by Josh somebody who disses Dean from one end to the other. You seemed to enjoy them so much."

I think they're libelous trash.  Have you read what he had to say about Sen. Obama?

  Gore, the person who, as we've learned, hates Hillary Clinton

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

I have never seen evidence by anyone this is true, that is stretching an "office politics" rivalry from a decade ago way too far. Gore isn't the "hating" type anyway. you might be gullible enough to believe a Republican slanted rovian rumor as true but I am not. Gore's politics is closer to Deans and that endorsement was a natural, and had nothing to do with Wes Clark.

Tom you are just packaging a bunch of negative gossip and calling it true and I'm not buying it anymore than what Martha posted as coming from Obama

Phil wrote "Tom you are just packaging a bunch of negative gossip and calling it true and I'm not buying it anymore than what Martha posted as coming from Obama."

Well, "hate" may be a little strong.  I should have said they "can't stand each other" and that Gore "intensely dislikes her."

I have seen several posts on other blogs about Clinton not paying the bill for offices they have rented.  Didn't think much of it.  Thought maybe it was bookkeeping errors or something.  But I'm beginning to wonder.  Here is a clip of a guy who has been trying to collect cleaning charges for offices back in Iowa.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/3677250#23114259

19.

seashell :-)
Mon, 02/11/08


All the progressive politicans say Yes We Can in California. Senator Boxer says it all the time. It rallies everybody to any progressive social justice cause.

Awesome Phil ~ Iowa is way down on the lists when it comes to responsible sex ed. Eliminating any abstinence-only program is a huge step forward. From the Illinois Campaign for Responsible Sex Education
http://www.responsiblesexed.org/il/respo...

* 50% of new HIV infections occur in people under 25
* 40% of Illinois' new Chlamydia and gonorrhea cases are among youth aged 10 to 19
* nearly 18,000 births occur each year to girls aged 19 and younger

It's clear that abstinence-only programs aren't working. Comprehensive sex ed programs - that combine an abstinence message with the facts about birth control and STDs - are proven to delay sexual activity and prevent disease."

6:25 pm est

Screw abstinence only programs!

Sorry it slipped out.

Ummm.....I better stop now

Well Tom I "dislike" people putting down Howard Dean and his post Presidential effort while doing it on his blog, but sometimes I just let it go unremarked, othertimes not, but I have had enough personal interactions with Al Gore to know he is just not the "hating" type, but like me and my "dislikes" I'm sure he has some too. I'm pretty sure "intensely dislikess" too strong also.

45.

Susan Rowe
Mon, 02/11/08


p.s. I've even heard Gov. Dean use Sí se puede, Yes We Can. It is used often. There is nothing co-opted about it. All the unions use it too. It's sort of like saying You Have the Power, Taking Back Our Country or Dean is first!

Phil wrote "I have had enough personal interactions with Al Gore to know he is just not the 'hating' type, . . ."

That forces me to decide if you know him better than a prominent Democratic strategist with close ties to both camps and a former Gore adjutant.

According to the Clinton camp.

UT doesn't count because there are not enough Dems there - it's a red state, Maine doesn't count because it is a small state, DC won't count there are too many black people there, WA doesn't count because it was a caucas and it is activists who caucas (also people who caucas don't have jobs, the people who would have voted for her are  working people and can't get off work), Alaska doesn't count for the same reason as UT, Illinois doesn't count, Obama is a Senator there (even though HRC was born there), but Hawaii won't count because Obama was born there, Missouri doesn't count because it borders Illinois, Kansas doesn't count Obama has roots there.

28

Has anybody been watching C-SPAN today? The Senate presented several new amendments to FISA. Dodd and Feingold were very good

Susan

Yes, very interesting debates by the Dems on the three FISA bills. Two good bills, one bad one. Whitehouse gave his usual prosecutor perspective on both the good ones asking for a vote for either of them, though one is not quite as good as the other one and the third one is just a bad bill.

Mighty important stuff there on the Senate's C-span II.

I just don't see the shearing, but keep trying. If I were paid by Clinton I would sure want to try to kill it too. lol

It's amusing that Phil accuses others of being on the Clinton payroll when he always sticks up for the corrupt party establishment.  

47.

Denise -- LOL

Young people love saying Yes We Can


Estudiantes, " SI SE PUEDE " Venezuela http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9onAepBc...

According to the Clinton camp....UT doesn't count because there are not enough Dems there - it's a red state, Maine doesn't count because it is a small state, DC won't count there are too many black people there......

What does count is that Obama has won more delegates than the Clintons. 

Phil wrote "I have had enough personal interactions with Al Gore to know he is just not the 'hating' type,

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

you haven't provided any "on the record" statements by anyone refuting my assertion to question my personal take on the half dozen times I've spent some time with Gore, but heck I could be wrong, I just always question stories with a spin and the reason for it, and I will stand by my statement

Whether or not Al Gore hates the Clintons is scraping the bottom for something to argue about.

For All you Soccer Moms. Si se puede!


The World Cup Theme Song
(sung in spanish)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=244-xfal5...

Hi rae ~ sounds like HRC thinks how she spins it is what counts :-) In the meantime, the momentum for Obama is adding up.

Phil wrote "you haven't provided any 'on the record' statements by anyone refuting my assertion."

They're on the record, obviously, or they couldn't be reproduced here.  However, they're certainly not for attribution, as neither Gore nor anyone who knows him would ever agree to be identified as the source for confirmation of the fact that he can't stand the spouse of the president in whose administration he served, and who is a leading figure in the Democratic establishment.  I guess we both must realize that.

nor anyone who knows him would ever agree to be identified as the source for confirmation of the fact that he can't stand the spouse of the president

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

so it makes the perfect rovian lie because it is pure drudge

Tom

It also is a good rumor to put out pre-emptively so as to minimize a potential Obama endorsement as some kind of a long standing cat fight thereby minimizing it, but you might just be un witting pawn in that game, and maybe don't even get that paycheck, who knows?

Phil wrote "so it makes the perfect rovian lie because it is pure drudge."

Your fantasy world is boundless.  Statements on background, from unidentified sources, get reported as news everyday.  There'd be no way around the cloak of secrecy in Washington otherwise.

Pawns feet on fire
Spinning up stormy weather
True colors emerge

7:22 pm est

21.

Sitka
Mon, 02/11/08

The LA County ROV is a Republican. SoS Bowen made LA County put all their Diebolt touch screen machines in storage. It was all over the TV news. The newspapers were littered with LTE smearing Bowen but we had a counter letter writing campaign.

I think the Demfest announcement has to be posted every three days, or so.  So everyone sees it.

In Memory of Congressman Tom Lantos 1928-2008

Tom Lantos, a Hungarian born-Holocaust survivor and veteran California Democratic Congressman, died early Monday at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Maryland.

Lantos, 80, was surrounded by his wife, Annette, two daughters, and many of his 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Annette Lantos said in a statement that her husband's life was "defined by courage, optimism, and unwavering dedication to his principles and to his family."

Lantos disclosed last month that he had been diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. He said at the time that he would serve out his 14th term but would not seek re-election in his Northern California district, which takes in the southwest portion of San Francisco and suburbs to the south including Lantos' home of San Mateo.

Lantos, who lost nearly his whole family to the Holocaust, was named chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee last year after serving for years as ranking member under the Republican majority. At the time, he said, "In a sense, my whole life has been a preparation for this job."

Born in Budapest in 1928, Lantos was only 16 when the Nazis took the city. He escaped twice from a labor camp and eventually made it to a safe house. Annette Lantos, his childhood sweetheart, also escaped, but both lost almost their entire families in the death camps.

After spending three decades teaching economics at San Francisco State University, Lantos was elected to Congress in 1980. He founded the Congressional Human Rights Caucus in 1983.

"It is only in the United States that a penniless survivor of the Holocaust and a fighter in the anti-Nazi underground could have received an education, raised a family and had the privilege of serving the last three decades of his life as a member of Congress," Lantos said upon announcing his retirement last month. "I will never be able to express fully my profoundly felt gratitude to this great country."

http://www.cadem.org/

Statement from CDP Chairman Art Torres

Statement from DNC Chairman Howard Dean

58.

Susan Rowe
Mon, 02/11/08

Reply to this
For All you Soccer Moms. Si se puede!


The World Cup Theme Song
(sung in spanish)
--------
This reminds me of a woman at my caucus. Her son was there and called her an *Obama Mama*. LOL

CDP Election Protection

Secretary of State Debra Bowen needs your help. She stood up to Diebold and Sequoia to make sure our votes are counted; now it's time for us to stand up and support her courageous battle for election integrity. Now there are TWO ways you can Stand up for Debra Bowen.

Sign our petition of appreciation today. We'll deliver our message of support to Debra Bowen on Valentine's Day. Add your name to the message and show her some love.

http://www.cadem.org/

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and tell the world that it's more important to count our votes accurately than to count them quickly. We've made it easy for you with talking points and all the information you need to contact your local paper.

• Justin Webb
• 11 Feb 08, 03:42 AM GMT

This is best and wittiest take I have seen so far on the Maine victory for Obama and the Clinton spin of that and
the weekend's other setbacks for her campaign.

History will relate that the wheels came off the Clinton bus somewhere around the time she showed up in Florida for that fake victory speech

Gosh, even the guys are getting into it today.

Leave Phil alone.  He's one of the good ones.

Denise, I signed the petition the first time around.  You didn't really think I'd not do what's right for the country.  I simply was making a point...that snarkiness should not be engaged in nor responded to. 

Too bad DFest is so far away...first on the west coast, now on the east.  Maybe someday it could be in between.  Kudos to Jessica for all her hard work putting it together.  I'll be there in spirit.  

I have nothing to say.  LOL

And Phil, that's great news from the first lady.

Annilow, Indy, Monica, and all ~ hope to see you all at Dfest!

Gotta run, bbl

♥'s to all

Kindness is free!

7:35 pm est

Women's vote in MD and VA going strongly for Obama per ARG.

http://americanresearchgroup.com/

Chris Matthews is doing everything he can to call Obama and Clinton even. She was hammered this week - let's face it. Sheesh. CNN still saying Clinton is ahead in delegates. Tucker Carlson saying if Edwards endorses on substance that Hillary wins that endorsement.

MSNBC is bending over backwards about the Chelsea comments of one lame reporter.

seashell wrote "Leave Phil alone.  He's one of the good ones."

Phil is a great American patriot and a good Democrat.  We have discussions about disagreements, that's all.  I leave the personal comments about sucking and being Rove or Clinton plants strictly to others.

Christine Samuels first superdelegate to change from HRC to Obama.

Thank you Christine.  Hope you are the first of many more to come.

http://news.scotsman.com/world/Obama-surge-stuns-Democrats.3766623.jp

81

Well said !

Jessica ~~ put the DFest logo and link up at baby.

http://eatapyzch.blogspot.com/

(sidebar)

8:12 pm EST

But you did respond Seashell - that's why your posts make me smile.

Some of the best advice I ever got was "know who you're talking to so there are no surprises." It keeps my humor in tact. Lately this place has been quite entertaining, so thanks for being part of this wonderful community.

5:22 PM PST

Senator Dodd is so great! I hope you all watching C-SPAN.

85.

seashell :-)
Mon, 02/11/08

DemocracyFest was in Austin, TX in 2005 and San Diego in 2006. San Diego was a lot of fun. My hubby and I has such a good time at it in 2006 that I went to the one last year in New Hampshire. My hubby had to work or he would have also attended.

An inevitable collision appears in the offing on the graph that charts trends in the Gallup national daily tracking poll.  Here is a description of the most recent results:

"Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are now essentially tied in the Gallup Poll Daily tracking results for Feb. 8-10, with Clinton at 46% and Obama at 44%. Clinton's lead over Obama has eroded over the past five days. The current three-day rolling average is the first to begin to reflect the results of Obama's strong wins in three primary and caucus states Feb. 9, although he was gaining even before those results became known to Democrats."

Michelle Obama on Larry King Live in a few minutes (MST).

OK all you latte drinkers - drive your Volvo's over to Starbuck's if you have AT&T broadband. It will soon be free there - T Mobile lost their contract with them.

Don't drip on your Birkenstocks

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...

Wow, that’s something I’ve expected not earlier than 6 months from now..., lol, kind of updated/modified philosophy, principles, ideology, seems too early to expect it (which indicates that things to the contrary to what is officially reported go very badly now).

Anyway, about only starting to conceive new movement “for real change” should not be distracted and diffused by fresh, “progressive” phraseology (our professionals are masters in “framing” science..., lol). The push by this movement for new America to become try World leader must only intensify.

---------

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/11/rand.in...

U.S. deficient against Muslim insurgents, study says

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. military is seriously deficient in meeting "the threat of Islamist insurgencies," says a Pentagon-commissioned study released Monday.

The Rand Corp. report characterizes "U.S. military intervention and occupation in the Muslim world" as "at best inadequate, at worst counter-productive, and, on the whole, infeasible." The Pentagon asked the nonprofit research organization to review strategies to thwart insurgents.

The United States should instead focus its priorities on improving "civil governance" and building "local security forces," according to the report, referring to those steps as "capabilities that have been lacking in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"Violent extremism in the Muslim world is the gravest national security threat the United States faces," said David C. Gompert, the report's lead author and a senior fellow at Rand. "Because this threat is likely to persist and could grow, it is important to understand the United States is currently not capable of adequately addressing the challenge."

The Pentagon did not respond to calls Monday from CNN seeking comment.

The report is titled "War by Other Means: Building Complete and Balanced Capabilities for Counterinsurgency."

It focused on the increase of about 30,000 U.S. troops in Iraq over the past year -- the "surge" -- which supporters have credited for a decrease in insurgent attacks.

But "it would be a profound mistake to conclude from [the troop increase] that all the United States needs is more military force to defeat Islamist insurgencies," Gompert said. "One need only contemplate the precarious condition of Pakistan to realize the limitations of U.S. military power and the peril of relying upon it."

The study notes that U.S. military interventions can be risky as well as costly because of the tenacity of jihadists, "infected by religious extremism." It says massive military interventions against insurgencies usually fail.

Looking at some 90 conflicts since World War II, the report concludes that establishing "representative, competent and honest" local government is the way to go.

"Foreign forces cannot substitute for effective local governments, and they can even weaken their legitimacy," said co-author John Gordon. The study says the United States would have more success if the insurgency were defused early and it must develop ways to interpret early "indicators and warnings."

Along with building "effective and legitimate local governments," the report says the United States must do a better job of organizing, training and equipping local security forces, and gathering and sharing information.
................

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/11/rand.in...

try World leader = true World leader

Susan,  I went to San Diego and it was wonderful except that there were only 2 or 3 taxis for the whole city.

Just ask Paine and thankful.  :-)  

There is a new thread, where of course Howard Dean is first no matter what anyone else says :-)

9:30 pm est

Hey sea ~ San diego was indeed a great time. Hope you can make it to DC, flights are many and relatively inexpensive...

9:36 pm est

Thankful2Thankful4Dean
Mon, 02/11/08

May go to DC in August...all depends, of course. Remember camping with you and Charlie Grapski in the pouring rain at the last Dem convention? Geez, want to do that again???!!