The Perfect Storm Benefits Clinton

I’m not referring to the weather in Cleveland and elsewhere in the state, as my guess is that was pretty much a wash. But there were several factors that all came together that at least aided Hillary Clinton in her Victory.

1) The NAFTA memo. The timing of this memo and the confusion surrounding it was a factor. Though it is clear that no inconsistency existed between what an Advisor said to Canadian officials and what Obama had said all along, all most voters heard was there was some memo that may lead to some doubt on Obama’s position on NAFTA. The Obama campaign did not react fast enough or clear enough to fix this damage regardless of the non-issue it is.

2) Bloody Obama: Rush Limbaugh did in fact have an impact and help manipulate this election. There were Republicans that asked for Democratic Ballots to vote for Hillary to “bloody up Obama.” Despite the fact this is illegal in Ohio there is evidence many did just that.

3) Hillary’s whining about press coverage: Amazingly it worked. It became a press story and got a number of news outlets to not only report stories on the fairness of the coverage but in my opinion make an effort to over compensate for the perceived unbalance. There was no doubt a very clear change in tone the last week in the coverage of Obama.

4) The Red Phone ad. This didn’t even run in Ohio yet the news media played it over and over and over and over. This was the best free airtime the Clinton campaign could get.

5) Racism: Obama has never used race as an issue in this campaign and I applaud him for that. And though it is a fact he has gotten a very high percentage of the black vote there has not been a significant vote against him because of his race. That was not the case in Ohio. Exit polls showed that those that considered race an important factor went to Clinton 62%.

6) Sexism: Hillary has used her sex as an issue in this campaign. There were a number of commercials aimed clearly at women; there were many statements in her speeches aimed at women. The exit polls showed she gained a very high percentage of women.

7) Smears: Hillary successfully got coverage complaining about unfair campaign tactics, making herself the victim when in reality it was her campaign and she herself tossing the smears one after the other. The NAFTA memo, The Kenya garb picture, the red phone Ad, some attempt at claiming Obama voting with oil companies, and her clear attempt to leave doubt on Obama’s Christianity. Obama attempted to run his campaign with class and stay out of such silliness. Unfortunately some of the silliness worked.

Was all of this enough to have changed the out come? It’s hard to say but it could have meant 1 or 2 delegates. The good news is this storm looked nasty but in the morning we see little damage. Other then bragging rights, the score remains the same.

These factors are unlikely to combine in the way they did this week again. The rumors will be clearly debunked; Obama will handle new ones with more speed and forcefulness. Pennsylvania is a closed primary so Rush will not be a factor, The racial attitudes of southeast Ohio are becoming less evident in most other parts of the country, and I suspect Obama will not be such a nice guy when it comes to attacking Hillary as he has been. Get ready to hear about tax returns.

Within a week Obama will win 2 more states in a row. Thats 14 out of 17 since Super Tuesday. This storm will be long forgotten.

OH-7 Neuhardt and OH-18 Space gain wins

Sharen Neuhardt won the nomination over a field of 5 others to go on to challenge Steve Austria the Republican Nominee for Dennis Hobson's seat in the 7th Congressional District. Sharen brought in 37% of the vote while her nearest challenger Bill Conner brought in 34%.

Zack Space brings in a huge win in the 18th District, garnering a whopping 85% of the vote. He will be facing Republican Fred Dailey who pulled out a narrow win over Jeannette Moll.

Its nice to see a strong Incumbent in the 18th a district that has been controlled by the Republicans for years as well as a great candidate in Ohio's 7th. Sharon will be the first viable Democratic Challenge in this district in decades.

Yes We Can!

If you needed any final inspiration:

Rush Limbaugh Encourages Voter Fraud

Today on his radio show right ring blow hard Rush Limbaugh encouraged Republicans in Texas and Ohio to ask for Democratic Ballots and vote for Hillary. He said he wanted to keep the fight going and Bloody up Obama. Major problem though. This would be election fraud in Ohio.

Ohio’s Primary is not a true open primary. If a voter has a history of voting Republican in primaries, by law they must have a desire to be affiliated with and supports the principles of the political party whose ballot the person desires to vote. If they do so for any other reason they are committing “election falsification."

Since voter fraud isn't new to republicans, I encourage observers at the polls to challenge ever voter that switches from Republican to Democrat. So that criminal action can be taken against those following Rush’s orders.

It has been a great year for Obama in Ohio

http://oh.barackobama.com/LookupOH

The Truth on NAFTA

In a last minute sad attempt to smear Obama, the Clintonites are touting some supposed "smoking gun" concerning NAFTA and Barack Obama that is barely a water pistol. The Associated Press is reporting that a Canadian official wrote a memo about his "impressions" of a meeting that took place with a Man that happens to be a senior economic adviser to the Obama campaign. They will tell you the memo means this and that. But read what it actually says. It is not a quote from anyone in the Obama campaign. It is not a statement from Barack Obama or anyone else to tell them not to worry about campaign rhetoric on NAFTA.

People use your brains here. Obama wants to improve protections concerning environmental and labor issues. Canada is NOT the problem on either of those issues. They have stricter laws then the United States. So yes, there truly isn't anything for Canada to worry about.

On the other hand we have it direct from Hillary's own mouth what she said about NAFTA.



any questions?

Clinton: A lifetime of experience?

Today on the press plane once again Hillary Clinton touted her “life time of experience.”

These are the facts: 1 year sitting on a board of the Children’s Defense fund does not equal a lifetime. Speaking out for the welfare reform bill her husband passed that has lead to significant increases in poverty in this country is not working to eradicate poverty.

Years as a corporate lawyer with the Rose Law firm on shady land deals and increasing her personal wealth do not count as public service. Sitting on the board of Wal-mart does not demonstrate a commitment to fair wages and health benefits for the middle class.

Photo ops around the world as a first lady do not count as foreign policy experience. She never negotiated a treaty; she never had the authority to make any decisions whatsoever. This certainly doesnt count as national security experience.

She stated today she was “in on some of the discussions when her Husband was President.” Does this mean Laura and Barbara Bush are qualified to be President? Was Hillary “in” on the discussions on NAFTA too?

She has been elected to one public office, ever. Held it for 8 years. 8 does not equal 35. In the most important vote of that 8 years a President lied to the country and the world to start a war. She said yes, Barack Obama said no.

Barack Obama tells it like it is. He doesn’t claim to be anything he isn’t. He has worked his entire lifetime to help the poor and the middle class, improve the plight of the jobless. Actually got laws passed to improve access to health care, the death penalty, ethics in government, care for returning Veterans. He actually lived and went to school in a 3rd world country, his father was born in and his grandparents live in Kenya. These experiences give him way more insight then any photo op.

Barack Obama knows its about what we can accomplish. One of the most obvious differences between Hillary and he are that she uses the word "I" over and over and over, I did this I did that, I will do that, in her constant self promoting. Obama says "we." He doesnt believe he is superman he knows it took many to accomplish the bills he got into law and he knows it will take all of us to make the changes this country needs. She talks about fighting, he talks about working together. One is the politics of division and one the politics of hope.

Experience? I will take real experience over a padded resume every time.

Hillary plays Fear and Gender Cards

In Hillary Clinton’s latest smear ad called “children” she uses the Republican fear technique of showing sleeping children while the phone rings at 3am. The ad implies something is happening in the world, with the message: who do you want answering the phone to keep your children safe. The ad of course shows a Mother coming into the children’s room and then Hillary answering the phone. This commercial is clearly playing the fear card and the gender card overtly, implying that Obama is not prepared to take care of your Children.

As usual Barack Obama answered this attack with calm and wisdom by pointing out Hillary already had a “red phone moment” when she voted for the war.

This tactic will fail as miserably as every other attack ad she has run. Everyone knows she is a woman and frankly having a woman as a viable candidate for President is absolutely wonderful. It is about time. But, I didn’t vote for Jesse Jackson for President even though it was terrific to finally have a black candidate. He wasn’t the right person for the job. Despite the fact she is a woman, Hillary isn’t the right person either.

Hillary reminds me of the kid in school that always was accusing everyone else of being a liar when in fact they were the one that told untruths all the time. Hillary keeps accusing Obama of attacking her when the reality it is Hillary that runs the smear campaigns. No one with a brain is falling for this desperate nonsense

Clinton Campaign to Sue Texas?

According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Guy Cecil Clinton’s Political Director, in a phone call with the Texas Democratic party, forcibly raised the possibility of a Courtroom battle over the delegate selection process in Texas. This along with the Clinton campaign’s attempt to change the rules concerning Michigan and Florida after the fact reminds me of losers in sporting events blaming the referees.

This is another sad attempt by a desperate campaign to blame everyone else but themselves for their continuing losses. The fact is the voters are choosing Barack Obama, not because the rules are against you, not because the media is against you, and certainly not because any one is being fooled.

Its time for the Clintonites to stop whining and accept the facts. You’re losing this election period. Time to suck it up and keep padding those resumes for next time.

Beware the smear machine

I learned this lesson the hard way in my first real involvement in a campaign as leader in Students for Carter Mondale in 1980. As I knocked on doors I would be continually amazed at the false and untrue facts people believed about President Carter. I thought that significant numbers of people could not be fooled so easily. I was wrong. I watched in shock as perhaps the most moral and yes Christian President our country has had in my lifetime was forced out of office by the Christian right and specifically the moral majority.

Then I have watched what is going on this week. Obama is about the win the nomination next Tuesday. So the smear mongers both from the Clinton camp and the Republican camp are out in full force. The Clintonites know this Tuesday it will be over without a miracle. The Republicans want two things, to run against Hillary and to keep this fight on the democratic side going as long as possible.

This time I will not make the mistake and assume brains will over rule outrageous smears, so I will address some now.

His full name is Barack Hussein Obama. Yes that is his middle name. People throwing that out are purposely trying to provoke fear among the ignorant. It was Barack’s Grandfathers name, a very common name in Kenya and on the African continent. The ignorance people have about ethnic names is why so many American’s today do not have the original name of their heritage, because their ancestors “Americanized” the name to avoid discrimination. Can you imagine a Lebanese man named Amos Alphonsus Muzyad Yaqoob ever being a star in the 50’s and 60’s or even today? Of course not that’s why he changed his name to first Amos Jacobs and later Danny Thomas. Hasn’t our country grown beyond having to “americanize” names?

Oh my a picture of Obama in a turban. The Clinton staffer that sent this to Drudge wasn’t trying so show Obama’s foreign policy experience. It was an attempt to strike fear. It was the dress of a tribal leader, it was an honor for Obama to be invited to wear it. It showed that they see him as a leader.

Is Obama a seceret Muslim who attended a madrasah? Totally and utterly false. He lived in indonesia for a few years as a child. He went to public school. A school with children of all faiths. The majority of indonesians practice Islam as their faith thus many of the students were indeed muslim. The suburb of Bexley Ohio has a fairly significant jewish population, does that make students in the Bexley city schools jewish? Before I leave this point, the real question on this smear is: why does it matter!. We have had Presidents of all kinds of different religions. Has it ever really been a significant factor on how they did their job.

Regardless, the fact is Barack Obama is a very open practicing and devout christian. He has not only showed up for services once a week like most, he has given his life to helping the poor and being his brothers keeper. His entire career before elected office was working with church leaders to help the community.

He has ties to Lewis Farrakhan? Obama is a leader in Chicago, Farrakhan also is in Chicago, that’s about the only thing in common they have and there is no other tie between these two men period. Then Obama’s pastor is brought up. Let me ask anyone who has ever attended a church or synagogue regularly. Did you never disagree with a position your pastor or rabbi took on an issue? I personally can remember walking out of mass a couple times I was so incensed at what a priest was saying from the pulpit. Obama has made it very clear he does not agree with his former pastor on Farrakhan.

Obama is not patriotic? The definition of the word is “feeling, expressing, or inspired by love for his country.” Barack Obama has given his entire adult life to working to make his country better. His entire legislative career was about working hard to improve things for the citizens of his country. Did the patriots stand around waving flags or did they take on the British? Did Abraham Lincoln just wave his flag at the confederacy or did he take them on and per serve the union and in the process end slavery.

Wearing a flag pin is not patriotism. Lying to the country into war is not patriotism. Not supporting our troops with the medical care and needs they have upon their return is not patriotism. What is patriotism is doing something to make things better and that is what Barack Obama has done his entire life.

Oh the by way, the picture was during the national anthem NOT the pledge of allegiance, do you always put your hand on your heart and make sure you placed not a few inches too high or to left or right every time you put your hand up there?
I saw a United States Congressman on MSNBC actually trying to make this charge, though he forgot to put on his flag pin before going to the studio. Traitor!

Today’s smear that Obama contacted Canada to warn them he was going to speak against NAFTA but to have no worries he doesn’t mean it. I cannot believe Canadian broadcasting even gave this a second look. Hey folks he is a graduate of Harvard Law, he is not stupid. I knew at the first hint of this story it was crap, but oh there it was all over the blogs. Of course not only has the Obama campaign come out stating the falseness of this story but so has the government of Canada.

The final smear. Obama is too young and inexperienced. Wrong again. He is 47, two years older then Bill Clinton when he took office and 4 years older then John F. Kennedy. He has 11 years of experience as an elected legislator and 20 years of experience not only working for but gaining improvements in jobs, health care, and wages. Bill Clinton was in national office for a total of zero years before becoming President. But the Clintonites want you to forget that.

These are the big smears I have heard as of late. There are probably more I haven’t heard and there will be many more before November. Do not let these go unanswered where you hear them, whether its at the local pub, the office, barber shop, beauty shop or even among your friends and family. Nothing is too silly or too stupid to be believed by some, so we must continue to repeat the truth whenever we can.

Zanesville Mayor Zwelling Welcomes Michelle Obama

Today in Zanesville, Ohio the Mayor Howard "Butch" Zwelling was at the Zanesville Day Nursery to Welcome Michele Obama. The Mayor was also at Hillary Clintons invitation only "Economic Summit" yesterday after being receiving a call at 11pm inviting him the night before.

Michele held a round-table with a few women at the Nursery today as 50 or so supporters looked on. She spoke about the issues facing mothers in Ohio. Issues such as childcare, college affordability and health care were discussed.

Though the visit was only approximatly an hour those in attendence expressed their pleasure and excitement in meeting her.

Obama in Columbus: “I’ve got news for John McCain"

I attended the Obama Rally at St. John Arena in Columbus this morning. Despite the cold, the morning time and distant parking an enthusiastic crowd of 6-7000 were in attendance.

After Miss Ohio 2007 sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, The crowd was warmed up with a speech by State Treasurer Richard Cordray and music by the Pickerington Central Marching Band. The crowd waited patiently a good hour past the scheduled time of 10am for Obama to arrive. In typical Ohio State Fashion cheers of OH-IO were frequent as well as the wave moving around the arena a number of times to kill the time.

Then to the podium to the delight of the Columbus faithful,came Hiesman Trophy Winner Eddie George who shared a story of struggles as a football player and his mother telling him, “Yes you can.” Then tied it to our country after 7 years of frustration wanting change and saying under the leadership of Barack Obama, “Yes we Can.”

Then Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman welcomed all to the city and did the introduction of the “next President of the United States, Barack Obama.” Barack arrived in the arena to a deafening roar of cheers comparable to any Ohio State athletic event. Knowing Columbus well his first words at the podium were, “O..H” which of course got the enthusiastic response “I..O”

Much of his speech was similar to past events, talking about the end of the Bush era, health care, the economy, and the war in Iraq. Throughout the approximate 45 minute long speech he only mentioned Senator Clinton twice that I recall, but made numerous mentions of John McCain.

Perhaps the highlight of the speech is when Barack Obama mentioned a statement McCain made this morning, “I’m got news for Barack Obama, Al Qaeda is in Iraq.”
Barack responded with “I’ve got news for John McCain, there was no such thing as Al Queda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq.” This once again brought the crowd to their feet in a roar of approval.

The thing that stuck me most about this event was the crowd. Men, women, black, white, hispanic, old, young, $500 suits as well as sweatshirts and jeans. I saw a number of children from babies to elementary to high school age, some brought by parents wanting their child to see history in the making and some high schoolers in varsity jackets that came on their own.

The feel of the event was summed up with the words of an Ohio State Student on the way out of the building when she said, “He was even more awesome in person!”

It’s about results.

For decades this country has been deadlocked on many of the issues important to American’s, health care, the loss of manufacturing jobs, unfair tax code, low wages, unemployment, immigration just to name a few. The reality is and has been for some time that neither party is ever likely to have a significant majority in congress.

American’s are sick and tired of the partisan bickering on every single issue. The simplest confirmations and bills result in finger pointing, credit taking, fear of letting the other party look good and worse. Since the days of Reagan and Newt Gingrich our government has been more about taking credit and placing blame then on actually serving its citizens. What candidate for President has the ability to change this?

Unless you never have seen Fox News or even spoken to a Republican, you know Hillary Clinton is a polarizing force. Fair or not she is down right despised by many on the Right. They will fight and win almost every battle against her. Public opinion often will be on their side. Even if some miracle happens and she does get the nomination, polls show a very close and difficult battle for her to win the general election. In the nightmare scenario where super delegates and rule changing concerning Michigan and Florida give her the nomination over the will of the voters, the dissatisfaction among democrats and independents will be huge.

What does Hillary have to say about this in her campaign rhetoric? That she is battle tested. That she will fight. That she has been hit before and hit again and survived. So in short the same us vs. them mentality that has caused our government to get bogged down and get nothing accomplished. Just like Hillary’s first attempt at health care reform.

Then there is Barack Obama. I man who against all odds succeeded in helping those of south Chicago as a community organizer, who drew together religious leaders and elected officials and business leaders to improve things for the community. A man as a State Senator sponsored and got bills passed working with fellow democrats and republicans. Improving education, health care and the flawed death penalty system in his state. As a United States Senator he hasn’t sat around waiting for the “elders” to do something. He has been there working on legislation helping our veterans returning from Iraq, increasing the minimum wage and health care for children. He has a proven record not just of having ideas and giving speeches, but has a record of getting the job done.

There is a wave of excitement rolling over this country around Barack Obama. His support is wide spread among men, women, old, young, blacks, whites, Hispanics, academics, factory workers, teachers, and health care professionals, democrats, independents and yes republicans. He has given people hope. People who have been unengaged in the political process have been awakened. This man can and will carry a true mandate when he is elected President. He will have the popular support that will give the Congress, no matter who controls it, a clear message that Americans will have change. He will give hope to the leaders of the world that there is a new man in charge. He is a man that has the strength of not only the military but the voices of the American people behind him.

Face it; Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama’s positions on just about every issue are very similar. One of these candidates will have the ability to actually get results and that is Barack Obama.

It's about trust.

This country has gone through 7 years with a President that has misled, lied, used fear as a political tool, and that the vast majority of the citizens of this country and the world do not trust. This has severely damaged our standing and respect around the world, sunk our economy into a recession and has left many with a cynicism and lack of hope for the future that has rarely been seen in history.

Here in Ohio we had elected officials pleading guilty to crimes, investigations galore, millions of dollars stolen and misused. This lead to a state with a crumbling infrastructure, and economy among the worst of any state in the nation, public schools rated in the bottom 5 in the country and a higher education system that became less and less accessible to many.

Two years ago the voters of Ohio took action and they threw out the ones we could not trust. There is hope for change in Ohio because we have leaders once again we can trust.

Now comes the Presidential election and once again the issue of trust is in the forefront of many Americans minds. “Trust” is the reason I support Barack Obama.

If you take the time to research the biography and careers of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, a clear difference is evident. Barack is consistent in his beliefs, his actions, his career moves, and in public life how he has voted and spoken out on every issue. His entire career has been about working to make things better for ordinary Americans. He was not only a promising Harvard Law Graduate but also lead the Harvard Law Review. He had a free ticket to the best legal jobs in the country. Yet he returned to Illinois to work as a community organizer. He worked to help people get better education and training, to get jobs, and health care. As a state senator in Illinois he worked to pass bills on all these same issues. He worked with republicans to actually get these bills made into law. As a United States Senator he continued on that same path.

Barack Obama’s policies have remained consistent. He spoke out against the Iraq war in 2002 when everyone else was jumping on the “fear of weapons of mass destruction” boat. He has spoken out against NAFTA from the beginning. His commitment to the working class has been there throughout his entire career. I cannot find a single policy he has spoken one way on one day and flip flopped, as so many others have done.

Then there is Hillary. She was for single payer health care now she is not. She supported NAFTA and said. “Everyone is in favor of fair trade and NAFTA has proven its worth.” Now that she needs Ohio she is opposed to NAFTA. She voted to authorize the war and now she is against it. She claims to have 35 years of experience in public service when the reality is other then first lady the vast majority of her career was as a corporate lawyer in the Rose Law Firm. She talks about higher minimum wage and how employers should pay a living wage, when she sat on the board of Wal-Mart.

Just look at how she has run her campaign. One day she is proud of being on the stage with Barack Obama then other days, she gives contrived speeches of false rage saying “shame on you, Barack Obama” for having mailers that show truthfully the differences in their policies. Her campaign leaks out a photograph of Obama in native clothing on a recent trip to Africa, to fan fears and help prolong outrageous racist untrue rumors. She sarcastically implies Obama’s supporters are delusional or cult like. She actually tries to make the fact that Obama is a talented and inspirational speaker a weakness on his part. Her conduct alone in the last two weeks is enough to lose any trust most Americans have for this woman.

The choice is clear. Real consistent truth and actions or contrived statements trying to remake who she is and where she stands based on the wind direction. There is one candidate who has earned our trust in this campaign and that is Barack Obama.

Obama Rally at The Ohio State University

Barack Obama will hold another "Keeping America's Promise" rally wednesday February 27th, 10 am at St. John Arena on Woody Hayes Drive. Doors will open at 8:30 am.

Seating is limited and will be on a first come first serve basis. This is the former basketball arena so should hold a significant crowd.

This rally will be the morning after the Cleveland debate and should be full of great emotion and excitment as Barack Obama turns the final corner and heads for the finish line of the democratic race.

For more information: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/columbus

Hillary draws boos during debate.

The Clinton Campaign has been hanging any desperate hope they have left on the debates for a chance for her to hit a disabling punch to slow down the momentum of the Obama campaign. Instead each and every attack and smear tactic she has used not only in the debate but over the last few weeks came right back at her.

Barack Obama addressed each and every attack in a professional, calm and effective way. Her claims of no substance were clearly met with intelligent and clear facts on each and every issue. Her constant half-truths were shown to be just that on issues like health care.

When directly asked if her claims that she would be ready to be commander in chief on day one and Obama wouldn’t she did not answer the question. Barack Obama showed that his decision making on the War as opposed to her initial support for it, showed who was indeed ready.

Then she tried to go on her ridiculous “plagiarism” accusation that Obama hit back with a strong response. Then in her desperation she countered with “Lifting whole passages from speeches is not change you can believe in its change you can Xerox.” The resulting boos from the crowd created an awkward moment in which she clearly knew she had blown it.

To end the debate she said, “No matter what happens we will be fine.” Then she went on to say her real concern was for the American people. A very nice, seemingly genuine line to close the debate, was almost as genuine as when John Edwards said it the first time in a previous debate. Who is accusing who of plagiarism?

It was clear in last night’s debate that Barack Obama is a real, substantive, ready and effective leader. Hillary is a desperate candidate trying anything to keep her ambitions to be crowned President from fading away.

Endorsement: Ohio's 7th

I live in the clearly gerrymandered republican safe 7th district. Which swings from the Miami Valley through Springfield down under Columbus to pick me up somehow on the southern edge of Reynoldsburg. For 18 years this district has indeed been safe for Dennis Hobson who thankfully is retiring at the end of this term.

It has been frustrating for democrats in this district every 2 years to find no viable democratic candidate opposing Hobson. This year I’m pleased to see a number of democrats running for the seat and even more pleased to find one with the background and beliefs of Sharen Neuhadt.

Sharen will be another fresh voice that is so much needed not only in congress but also in the Democratic Party. Sharen not being a carpetbagger grew up in the Miami valley in Dayton. She is the daughter of a Police officer and the grand daughter of a Fireman. She is a graduate of Georgetown Law School and a successful and accomplished attorney.

She has experience working with community and business leaders and will be willing and able to work not only with her fellow democrats in congress but also to cross the aisle to actually get something done.

Her positions on the war and health care and the economy are very much in line with mine.

Sharen has the experience, background and ability not only to win this district but also to serve it well in Congress.

Read more about Sharen: http://www.neuhardtforcongress.com

Obama’s “substance:” The War

As Hillary in her desperation to win at any cost begins using a “swift boat” style 527 advertising campaign to trash Obama for being an eloquent speaker, I continue with my 3rd in a series of issues articles that show that Hillary’s whining about speeches and no substance is another of her falsifications.

Both Candidates now say they want to end the war. Obama’s plan is very detailed and laid out on his web site on exactly how many troops will be brought out of Iraq and when. Hillary’s says, will have a meeting about it. Which who knows perhaps after the meeting she will change her mind on the war again.

Barack Obama has never swayed on his opposition to this war from the beginning. Obama was speaking out against this war in 2003 and 2004. In 2005 he called for a phased withdrawal, in 2006 he called for a timetable to remove our troops and in 2007he introduced legislation to have our combat troops removed by March 2008.

Where was Hillary? She is partly responsible for authorizing this war as she voted to do so. She stood by that until the polls showed clearly she would not get elected if she were to continue that course.

Once again the person with the “substance” is Barack Obama.

Read more about Barrack Obama’s plan for ending the war at:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/foreignpolicy/

The voters are speaking loud and clear

Last night after a 17 % margin of victory in Wisconsin a landslide win in Hawaii, Barack Obama has won 10 states in a row, 22 total. Hillary has won only 11 and not a single one since Super Tuesday. Not only is Obama winning he is winning by huge numbers and in every demographic group under 60.

It is clear who the democratic voters have chosen to lead our party to victory in November. The only people who seem to be blind to that fact are the Clintons and the so-called Party leaders. It is a travesty that though the voters are speaking in a clear majority the super delegates support Hillary by a significant margin. This proves to me the party elite once again are not in touch with the voters of the party as a whole.

The message to these party elders must be that its time to listen to the rank and file, it is time to join with us or get out of the way. There is a new energy among democrats it will not be stifled by cronyism and paying back favors and back room deals. Committee members and state chair persons can and will be replaced. Elected officials can be challenged in primaries.

The voters are speaking, they will be listened to.

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