McCain's Lie of the Day:Raines

In an ad and in a speech this morning John McCain once again tells a flat out lie to the American People. He claims that Franklin Raines is an advisor to Barack Obama. This is a flat out lie. In fact he has never met with Barack Obama, ever.

This is an amazing false accusation considering that John McCain's Campaign Manager lobbied for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That 700 lobbyists are involved in his campaign in one form or another.

Once again John McCain proves to America that he is a:



Honesty is the most important trait in a President, John McCain is not qualified to be President

Edwards says "It's Barack Obama!"

John Edwards fantastic speech endorsing Barack Obama to a delighted crowd in Grand Rapids Michigan. To some a bit late but the timing worked out perfectly. Despite the West Virginia primary it is clear the momentum remains with Obama and he is the presumptive nominee.



If Obama wants to remain consistant in his message of change not only in this country but in politics as a whole including within the democratic party, John Edwards is the perfect choice for a running mate.

It will not be pulling one of the party cronies like Ted Strickland in, it will not be cow towing to Hillary. It will be a bold, successful move that will be good for the campaign and the country.

I am thrilled by this endorsement as a former Edwards supporter in this campaign but more so I am thrilled as an American.

Truth Trumps Loyalty

Since well before the first vote was cast in this nominating process, the Clinton’s have acted as if Hillary was owed this nomination. They have gone to every contact, every friend, and every party official calling in favors and expecting their support. It has worked with many. Stephanie Tubbs Jones on numerous occasions cited “loyalty” as her reason for supporting Hillary.

Yesterday one man chose truth over loyalty. Bill Richardson the governor of New Mexico, despite his friendship with the Clinton’s, despite the fact that his career was if not made possible but at least greatly enhanced by the Clintons, endorsed Barack Obama. Richardson showed with his endorsement that to him, Truth is more important.

This was not easy for him. He knew the arrogant wrath he would get from the Clinton’s and he has. When he did the honorable thing and called her to inform her of his decision, he received a heated response. Clinton supporters have struck out at him calling him traitor and today James Carville called him “Judas.”

But Richardson chose the truth. He may owe the Clinton’s thanks, and he has given them that. But that is all they are owed. He chose the truth that it is Barack Obama that has the support of the people in every measurable way. The truth that it is Barack Obama that has shown that he is the one that can unite this country and achieve the things we so much need. It is Obama that has shown class and leadership and taken the high road in this race. It is Obama that has spoken the truth consistently and never wavered from his beliefs or principles. It is Barack Obama who has been honest about his experience and record. It is Barack Obama that has the clear ability to win in November.

Perhaps the most important truth is this race is over. There is no way without destroying the Democratic Party that Hillary Clinton can win this nomination. Clinton felt she was owed the nomination. Barack Obama has earned it.

Richardson said yesterday that it was time to stop the fighting and prepare to beat John McCain in November. That was the biggest truth spoken of the day. It is time. It is time for Al Gore, John Edwards, Joe Biden, the party officials and the other super delegates to choose truth as well.

Thank the Clinton’s for the past. But prepare for the future with Barack Obama.

Obama's "Substance:" Poverty

As a supporter of John Edwards who has championed the issues of poverty not only in his campaign but also in his entire adult life, This is an issue of importance to me as it should be to all those who supported John.

So how do the candidates compare?

Looking at Hillary’s website she doesn’t even list poverty as an issue. So looking deeper I have found where in debates and speeches she cites her experience as Director of the Children’s Defense fund as proof of her commitment to fight poverty.

How surprising it is then what Marian Wright Edelman, the founder of the Children’s Defense Fund had to say about Hillary in a 2007 interview with Amy Goodman of Democracynow.com:

“Well, you know, Hillary Clinton is an old friend, but they are not friends in politics. We have to build a constituency, and you don’t—and we profoundly disagreed with the forms of the welfare reform bill, and we said so. We were for welfare reform, I am for welfare reform, but we need good jobs, we need adequate work incentives, we need minimum wage to be decent wage and livable wage, we need health care, we need transportation, we need to invest preventively in all of our children to prevent them ever having to be on welfare.
And yet, you know, many years after that, when many people are pronouncing welfare reform a great success, you know, we’ve got growing child poverty, we have more children in poverty and in extreme poverty over the last six years than we had earlier in the year. When an economy is down, and the real test of welfare reform is what happens to the poor when the economy is not booming. Well, the poor are suffering, the gap between rich and poor widening. We have what I consider one of—a growing national catastrophe of what we call the cradle-to-prison pipeline.”


Looking at Obama’s website you will find that has not only a specific issue section dedicated to Poverty he lays out a number of very specific proposals. Including:

· Spending on proven programs to help low income Americans succeed in the work force.
· Create a Green Job Corps.
· Expand the Income Tax Credit
· Improve minimum wage
· Low income tax credits
· Promote responsible fatherhood
· Create an affordable Housing trust fund
· Increase Community based investment in urban areas
· Invest in rural small business

In the area of experience Barack Obama created the Illinois earned income tax credit and sponsored legislation to make it permanent in 2003.

He also worked on several pieces of legislation to help provide affordable housing.

Which candidate has “substance” on this issue? It is clearly Barack Obama.

Sources: democracynow.com, barrackobama.com