Am I Paranoid?

Written by: john nelson on Jul 15, 2008 5:27 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

I have not been on this website for a few weeks due to my crazy work schedule; so maybe this has been discussed. I am a strong Obama supporter and do not consider myself to be paranoid or a conspiracy guy. However, I have some concerns I want to share and see if any of you agree.

In the past week the following things have happened:

1.) Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz; co chair of the Clinton campaign, made derogatory comments about Obama not reaching out to Clinton supporters. Her comments were pretty strong against Obama.

2.) Bill Clinton said that Obama had to kiss his ass.

3.) Hillary, in an appearance with Obama, gave a backhanded compliment saying the Democratic party is like a disfunctional family.

4.) Jesse Jackson, who has forty years of experience and should know better, was caught saying things into an open mic.

5.) The New Yorker cover appears. I heard on the radio today that the publisher of the New Yorker is a friend of Harold Eckies.

6.) Hillary sends out a letter to donars asking that in lieu of a refund, that they rollover their contribution to 2012. Apparently she wants Obama to pay off her current debt and she wants to keep her own $ for the future.

7.) Full page ads are run in newspapers saying that Howard Dean has turned the DNC into the Boston Tea Party.

Is there a connection between all these events or am I paranoid? Are the Clintons running an underground campaign to either hijack the nomination at the convention (by driving Obama's numbers lower) or drive his numbers lower so he loses this year and she will have another chance in 2012? I just get the feelings that the Clintons won't go away and Obama better watch his back. Any thoughts about this?

11 Reasons to be Optimistic About Obama in North Carolina and Indiana

Written by: john nelson on May 4, 2008 1:51 AM EDT

This is written primarily for Obama supporters who read these blogs.  If you are anything like me (even though the nomination process is essentially over) I have been extremely nervous about the rough couple weeks that Obama has experienced; and the polls showing Clinton ahead in Indiana and closing the gap in North Carolina.  I sense and believe that the bleeding has stopped and that Obama has turned the corner and will win North Carolina by double digits and have a dead heat in  Indiana.

There are 11 reasons I feel this way:

1.)  His press conference was widely praised and I believe put the Wright story behind him, at least for now.

2.)  The switch of influential ex DNC Chair Joe Andrew to flip from Clinton to Obama and urge superdelegates to join him.

3.) Former DNC Chair Paul Kirk endorsing Obama.

Read more

Hillary, Take Your Kitchen Sink and Get Out!

Written by: john nelson on Mar 7, 2008 12:53 AM EST

As someone who has closely watched Presidential campaigns since 1960, I have seen a lot of crazy behavior; but I have seen more crazy behavior in one day from Hillary, than I have in the last 48 years combined.

- NAFTA Gate - It's pretty clear that the Clinton campaign set this up; and that Hillary flat out lied about it. This must backfire on her.

- Comparing Senator Obama to Ken Starr. This is nuts. Just because the Obama campaign wants her to make public their taxes and the donations to the Clinton Library and open up the papers from the Presidential years. She has her own rules and says whatever she wants about anyone. She is acting just like the Bush White House.

- Ann Lewis, accusing the Obama campaign of being negative! Are they all nuts!

- Three times (at least) praising Senator McCain over Senator Obama. This is unheard of, even in the most contentious races I have seen.

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Call to Arms for Obama Supporters! We May Never Have This Chance Again!

Written by: john nelson on Feb 18, 2008 12:29 AM EST

As I am writing this, it is about 32 hours until the polls open in Wisconsin and a few more hours until they open in Hawaii. I believe that the next two days will prove to be THE most important days in determining who the nominee will be.

Obama supporters - we may never have this chance again. We had a chance to put the Clintons away before New Hampshire; but we came up short. We had a chance to put them away on Super Tuesday, had we won California, New Jersey and a couple other states. Again, we did well; but fell short of the knock out punch. In the next two days we have one more opportunity and if we fall short; we may never have this chance again.

For many reasons, I believe that what happens in Wisconsin and Hawaii, will have a domino effect for the rest of the campaign. If Obama wins Wisconsin and Hawaii, that momentum will carry over to Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island on March 4. We will raise more money, have more volunteers and much more energy. The Clintons will have more difficulty raising money and less energy in their campaign, and the in-fighting among campaign staff may continue. It may well lead to March 4 victories for Obama in Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island, that could be the knock out punch.

Conversely, if the Clintons do much better than expected in Wisconsin and Hawaii, it could change the whole dynamic. They would have the momentum going into March 4. They would raise money more easily, get more delegates and have a chance to impress the Super Delegates. We may have a great deal of trouble reclaiming the momentum going into Pennsylvania. I'm afraid that if we let her off the hook for the third time and don't put her away, Hillary may be in the drivers seat and we may never have this chance again.

If things go badly for Obama on March 19; we never get to turn back the clock to "what might have been." There are no do-overs here. But it is still March 18 and we can still make a huge difference. Please, if you can on Monday, make phone calls to Wisconsin and Hawaii. They do make a difference. Also, please contact anyone you personally know in those states and urge them to vote for Obama. A few votes may make the difference in both delegates and perception. Make a difference while you still can.

Then on Tuesday, get on the phone to get out the vote. Both campaigns have a good ground game; the weather will be brutal in the land of the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field; and with those conditions; sheer will and determination may make the difference. Get on the phone, find out who needs rides; we will get them rides. Please do whatever you can. Like I said, there are no do-overs. We get one chance to do this. Don't watch the returns Tuesday night and say "if only I had done more." Seize the moment and do everything you can now. Then together we will make history. Thanks.

If You Are Undecided Please Read This!

Written by: john nelson on Feb 2, 2008 7:29 PM EST

I am supporting Senator Obama because I like his positions on the issues, his character, his integrity and his ability to unite, rather than divide.

If you are undecided and you like both Obama and Clinton; then please consider the following: if you like both of them and think they will be equally good as President; then it should probably come down to who has the best chance to win against Senator McCain. It is clear in my mind, that Senator Obama would do much better in a general election.

In a general election, Clinton will get heavy support from strong Democrats; but not a lot from independents, cross over Republicans or new voters. Her vote will be much like the Kerry and Gore votes; although with less independents.

If Senator Obama is the nominee; he will get the people who would already vote for Clinton; PLUS a huge amount of Independents, a HUGE amount of first time voters and some Republican cross over who are inspired by him. It will make an extraordinary difference in close states like Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado and many other close states.

Maybe I'm wrong, but most voters know Hillary. They either like her or dislike her. A Huge amount dislike her enough to come out and vote against her. If they are not happy with McCain, they may not be motivated to come out and vote against Obama. Also, McCain does very well among Independents. If Hillary is his opponent, he will probably get a large percentage of independents. Obama will take many independents if he is the candidate; and split that vote that McCain needs. Hillary will get virtually no crossover from Republicans; Obama will get some because he inspires them. They may not agree with him on all the issues; but he inspires them for change. Also, Obama will get many new and young voters, many of which may otherwise not vote. Finally; as I said, everyone knows Hillary. Her base will not expand. Not as many people know Obama. It seems that as they get to know him better, his base will expand.

If you are undecided; please consider these things as you make your decision. Thanks for taking time to read this.

Five Days That Could Change The World

Written by: john nelson on Jan 31, 2008 2:06 AM EST

The next five days could be extraordinarily important to the future of this country and the world. The next five days could decide who the nominee of the Democratic Party will be; and possibly who the next President will be. Who that President is; will shape our country and the world for the next four to eight years; and maybe well beyond, with at least three potential Supreme Court appointments possible.

 Also, the next five days could help create history by moving us along the path towards electing the first African American President. Something I never thought I would see in my lifetime, and something that some day, I want to tell my future Grandchildren that I was part of. This is an overwhelming moment  and opportunity in our nation's history. I proudly support Senator Obama and urge all of you to consider the monumental magnitude of this moment. If we miss it, it may not come again for a very long time.

I am not going to get into why I feel that Senator Obama and not Senator Clinton should be the nominee. I could write pages on that; however I do believe that Senator Obama is a once in a generation candidate; the likes of which I have not seen since Bobby Kennedy. It's not just his integrity and his honesty and character, but his ability to touch people and to inspire people are extremely special, the likes of which I have rarely seen.

I am asking (pleading) for all Obama supporters to please do everything humanly possible to help his campaign over the next five days. That's 120 hours that could change history. If you live in one of the 22 primary states, please do everything you can do in your state. If you live in the other 28 states, there are many things you can do. Donate to the Obama campaign to help run another advertisement, print 100 more brochures or feed volunteers. You can call anyone and everyone that you know in those 22 states and ask them to please vote for Senator Obama. If we all contact just a few people it will add up; and could mean a percentage point here and an extra delegate there. You can go to Obama web site and join the national phone bank and call voters in those 22 states and make a difference. Please do what you can.

It's just five days; 120 hours to make a difference that may be one of the most historic moments in our history. Please be a part of it.  

Hillary, you embarrass me!

Written by: john nelson on Jan 14, 2008 12:57 AM EST

Being a baby boomer, just a few years younger than Hillary, I always thought and hoped that our generation would do extraordinary things after the 60's and 70's. I thought we would promote peace and justice; make huge progress on racism and sexism; and leave an everlasting mark on this country that our generation could be proud of.

Now it appears that one of the most important people of my generation; a person who claims to have supported all the ideals listed above, for the last 35 years; only believes in those ideals if they are convenient for her.

I guess, in the case of Hillary Clinton,  when push comes to shove; ideals fly out the window if they are not working. In Hillary's case, it appears that the attitude is if we can't win above the fray, we'll settle for victory in the gutter. Whatever works. Apparently we really didn't know Hillary until now. I am so disappointed that one of the leaders of our generation has taken this route, when the going got tough.

Todays comments by Robert Johnson and yesterdays by former Senator Kerrey, about Barrack Obama clearly tell me who the real Hillary is. On the way to her crowning, Senator Obama got in the way (how dare he). Since then Hillary has played the race card, gender card, drug card, MLK-LBJ card, Obama is too liberal card, Obama is too conservative card; and completely twisted his positions on important issues such as abortion and Iraq.

Finally last week she played the tear card, and it worked. I've never seen her cry over our Marines and soldiers getting killed in Iraq, or over people losing their jobs, or over people without healthcare, or anything else. But when it appears she may lose an election she crys. That's because it's all about her. It's always been that way with the Clintons and their do anything, say anything strategy to hold on to and gain power. It's never about us; it's always about them. I for one, am embarrassed that they represent the Baby Boomer generation. Are we really that selfish and spoiled as the Clintons portray us? 

Why Liberals Love America

Written by: john nelson on Sep 7, 2007 10:14 PM EDT

I am so sick and tired of conservatives wrapping themselves in the flag and proclaiming that they are the only great Americans and true patriots. In my lifetime they have been doing this since Nixon and Agnew in the late sixties. They have a common refrain that liberals hate America and the conservatives proclaim it with an ongoing drumbeat that I am afraid is seaping into some people's subconscience. They are on the offense and we are on the defense.

I think it's long past due that we go on the offense and give them back some of their own medicine. Conservatives seem to think that the only true Americans are people who are just like them and agree with them on virtually everything and march in lockstep with them. Anyone else, especially liberals hate America.

Sorry conservatives but you are wrong! Dissent is central to the story of American democracy. Actually dissent is a driving force behind democracy. Using dissent, public opinion has been swayed, laws were made, slavery was abolished, unions were organized, women got the vote, Jim Crow laws were invalidated. Over the years, dissent has given America hope and made it a better place to live.

With that in mind, I have some thoughts to share:

Liberals love America because they dissent to make it all the better. Conservatives must hate America, because they hate dissent.

Liberals love America because we care that nearly 4,000 of our best and brightest have been killed in a civil war; not to mention the hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians who have died. Conservatives must hate America because they support putting and keeping our troops in harms way. They approve of longer deployments that have brought the military to a breaking point and military families scars that will never heal.

Liberals love America because we care enough to take action about global warming. Conservatives must hate America because they ignore global warming, in the name of profits.

 Liberals love America because we want a world class health system for all. Conservatives must hate America because they think we have the best health care system in the world, despite the fact that millions of Americans can not afford to use it.

Liberals love America because we want world class public schools. Conservatives must hate America because they hate public schools.

Liberals love America because we fight for and protect our rights proclaimed in the Constitution. Conservatives must hate America because they want to disband many of those rights. 

Liberals love America because we want America to be the best it can be for everyone throughout the world. Not a bully who says "be like us or we'll attack you," but a towering beacon throughout the world that most nations respect and admire.      

It Can't Be Hillary!

Written by: john nelson on Sep 2, 2007 12:46 AM EDT

I've been active in the Democratic party since the McCarthy campaign in 1968. In those nearly 40 years, I don't think I've ever seen a Presidential race as winnable as we have in 2008. Virtually everything is alligned in our favor. Except for one thing : If Hillary wins the nomination.

I am writing this from a neutral position. I support no individual candidate. I am still hoping for a miracle with Gore. But I have come to the conclusion that Hillary cannot win the general election. To have her as our nominee would be the ultimate wasted chance.

In my job, I travel throughout my home state of Michigan, and have regular contact with people in many other states.  I don't work in a political job, but sometimes political discussions do occur. I don't believe I have ever heard anyone as despised by regular people (not conservatives) as Hillary. She is the focus of many jokes, even from apolitical people. Even on a college football game today on T.V., there was a player whose last name is Hillary and the announcers were commenting on how unpopular the name is. It's totally ingrained into the national fabric. I don't know how it can be overcome.

It's not a sexist issue. Here in Michigan we have Gov. Granholm and Sen. Stabanow. But I seriously doubt Hillary could win Michigan. In addition to there being a Bush fatigue in the country, there is a Clinton fatigue.The comments I hear most often is we need new blood in the new administration; not Bush or Clinton retreads. I also hear that the perception is that she's just plain mean; that she would run over her mother to advance her cause. We've been polarized  as a nation for too long; and if elected, I believe she would be even more polarizing than Bush. We need someone to bring us together and make progress on major issues; not have roadblocks because of personalities.

I believe we are facing a very mediocre Republican field; and under normal circumstances, we would win convincingly. However if Hillary is the nominee, people will be coming out of the woodwork to vote against her; people who would be unlikely to vote otherwise. I also know of many Democrates who will not vote for her. They won't vote for the Republicans, they just won't vote. I don't believe she can win one state that Kerry lost and I don't think she can win every state Kerry won, especially the close states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

I for one do not want to blow this chance to take back the White House. Somehow, some way, we need to unite behind a candidate who, if nominated, will have a good chance to win the general election. Between Iraq, Iran, health care and the Supreme Court, I believe it's essential we take advantage of this opportunity to win in 2008. Thanks for your time.  

Why Al Gore Must Run

Written by: john nelson on Feb 3, 2007 12:55 AM EST

Rarely in my life, have I felt the overriding importance of who occupies the White House as I do now, heading into 2008.  Although rarely in my life has the world been in such chaos and turmoil; possibly on the brink of World War 3, not to mention global warming, health care, education,  the credibility of the United States with the rest of the world,  and a list that goes on almost to eternity.

As I look  for a candidate to support in 2008, I have three basic conditions in my criteria: 1.) They must be able to put together a campaign for the long haul, with resources, both staff and financial, to win the nomination.  2.)  They must be able to put together a campaign that can win a national election, once they win the nomination.  3.) Once elected, they must be able to hit the ground running on day one, bring in the best and the brightest, and actually have the ability to govern in a manner to help find solutions to these issues in a way that will bring our country together, not further polarize it. I believe that the only person who can do all of the above is Al Gore.

I see only four potential candidates that can put together a campaign capable of winning the nomination; Clinton, Obama, Edwards and Gore. All  four can obviously attract  the financial resources and capable staff, both national and in each state to go the distance.  

Of  those four, I think Clinton would be the least likely to be able to win a national election and Gore would be the most likely; with Edwards and Obama somewhere in between. I think Clinton could not win for two reasons: A.) there is, in this country a "Clinton and Bush fatigue." I believe voters are yearning for fresh ideas and a fresh cast of characters, and B.) in 2004 John Kerry received the second most votes in history - second only to Bush. The turnout for Bush made the difference. In 2008, there is no Republican that will receive a voter turnout like Bush did in 2004; unless Clinton is the Democratic nominee. I believe she is the one thing that could save the Republicans. They would mobilize and turn out to vote against her. I believe if our candidate is Obama, Edwards or Gore; the Republican turnout will be much less; we will get a much greater percentage of the moderates and we will win. Of the three, I think Gore would have the greatest potential to carry the most states.

Once elected, I don't believe there is anyone else in this country that could govern as effectively from day one as Al Gore. He has the experience, he could attract the best and brightest to his administration and he has great credibility worldwide. He would not be a polarizing figure. We need someone in the White House who can bring this country together. This country has been completely polarized since the mid '90's. With his experience and credbility, he could reach out  to most reasonable people in the United States and world wide. I believe he is head and shoulders above anyone else in his ability to get this country out of the mess of the Bush years. I know I'm being selfish in wanting him to run, but I'm frightened; I'm frightened for my future, my kids future, my grandchildrens future, but mostly for the future of this country and the planet. That's why I believe Al Gore must run!