Everyone on Planet Earth - except for Sapulpa, Oklahoma - realizes Obama is President of the U.S.A.

Such a historic moment. Barack Obama is President-elect of the U.S.A. The Global media pounces on this newsworthy moment. People scramble to buy newspapers. Collectors editions are rushed to the newsstands. Such excitement. Such activity. None of which is reflected in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where a local newspaper completely ignored Obama's win.



And now I agree - the world has gone mad.

Sarah Palin - Get a New PR Team - ASAP

Sarah Palin's run for Vice President of the United States was one of her greatest career moves to date. She energized the Republican base. She made it to Saturday Night Live. She drew more crowds than John McCain. She's now officially on the political map and has better name recognition than many other leaders in her party.



There is no doubt that Sarah has made some awful blunders in the past few months. Katie Couric interview, anyone? She also started to very publicly push her own career agenda and dump poor McCain to the curb. Good or bad, my beef is this: her PR team goofed - horribly.

There are so many idiots running around out there that we are blisfully unaware of - all thanks to sharp PR teams. It is only when scandal strikes that we appreciate the value of a strong team. Now, I am not saying that Tom Cruise is an idiot, but we saw how badly his career tanked when he fired his highly experienced PR rep. The public soon began to see the true Cruise - a Couch Jumping-Stepford Wife Loving-Smile Reminds You of The Joker-Crazy Person. What a feat it must have been to hide such madness! Kudos to his former team for their many layers of brilliant PR spin that allowed us to crush on Cruise for so long.


I posit that if Governor Palin had a more experienced and savvy PR team, we would not think that she was a buffoon. This woman had the highest popularity ranking of any politician in the U.S. She was elected Governor of Alaska. She can speak credibily about energy. These are not accomplishments to be taken lightly. Point is, her PR team could have saved her. She cannot be as stupid as she comes across.

As a newbie to this whole process, Sarah Palin was bound to make mistakes. She made too many...and in such a public fashion. The latest example is Sarah's recent CNN interview. Who in their right mind would allow Palin to respond to rumors about her ignorance? Even if it were true that you didn't know that Canada was a part of NAFTA or that Africa was a continent - would you publicly defend yourself in such a manner? What a PR fiasco.




Sarah needs to check in with some of the A-list Hollywood stars. Borrow their PR teams for her run in 2012 - if she still has any credibility left - and allow the spinmeisters to do what they do best: make anyone look good.

Madelyn Dunham - Obama's Grandmother - has died

My heartfelt condolences to Barack Obama and his family on the death of Madelyn Dunham (86), Obama's grandmother. Madelyn died after a battle with cancer. Recently, Obama took some time off of the campaign trail to visit Madelyn in Hawaii. This trip followed another visit he and his family paid to Dunham in August. Obama has now lost both mother and grandmother to cancer. Obama's mother died of cancer at age 53, and he has always regretted thinking that he had more time with her. Thankfully, Obama was able to spend some precious moments with his grandmother before she passed away.

The family released the following statement today about Madelyn:

"She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure."

How sad that Madelyn passed away on the eve of a historic election.

May God bless the family during this time.

Quote of the Day x 2: Rashid Khalidi and Obama

The McCain campaign seems desperate. Another day, another attack on the alleged terrorist tendencies of Obama. Now, apparently Obama has ties to a 'radical' professor who according to Palin, was a "former spokesperson for the Palestinian Liberation Organization." The McCain campaign forgot to mention that McCain gave $500k to Khalidi in the '90s.

First Quote of the day goes to Khalidi in his response to the media on the latest controversy: " I am not speaking to the media at this time, and certainly not until this idiot wind passes."

Second Quote of the day goes to Obama, who when speaking at an event in North Carolina referred to McCain's latest tactic: "I don't know what's next. By the end of the week, he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten. I shared my peanut butter and jelly sandwich."

Hats Off to Senator Hillary Clinton - Great Speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC)

Hillary aced it.

Excellent speech. Classy. Poignant.

Senator Clinton had the right words for her die-hard supporters via a loving, heartfelt thank you, while expertly directing them to move beyond personalities to the real issues. "Were you in this only for me?", she asked the crowd. She also complimented her husband and herself by highlighting the fact that Obama can do this - why? - well, because it has already been done before, during the Bill and Hill years. Clinton was very bullish about Michelle Obama - and Michelle's great opening night speech - and about Senator Biden and his wife Jill.

Clinton also incorporated the right amount of content on key issues - she had good messages on universal health care, the war in Iraq and women's rights.

The Senator was chockful of wonderful quotables: "No way, No how, No McCain." "Keep going, if you want a taste of freedom, keep going. I have seen it. Keep going." "We don't have a moment to lose or a vote to spare. Think about your children and grandchildren on election day."

My LOL moment of the speech was when Hillary defined herself as a proud mother, proud American, proud NY Senator, proud supporter of Barack Obama....a proud everything except for a proud wife!

Much respect to Senator Hillary Clinton. Great unifying message. Well done. Well done.

Obama Picks Harshest Critic as Running Mate - Welcome Sen. Joe Biden!

And he has chosen...

It's not Hillary. Not Evan. Not Tim. Joe got the #2 spot.



The Obama campaign announced that Senator Joe Biden from Delaware has been selected as his running mate. Joe beat the other contenders, NY Sen. Hillary Clinton, Indiana Sen. Evan Byah and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine.

Joe brings major credentials to Obama's run for Presidency. The Senator - 65 - was elected to the senate in 1972, is currently serving his sixth term and wears the proud title of Delaware's longest-serving senator. Not only that, but he has a reputation as one of the best on foreign policy and currently heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Biden recently returned from a two-day trip to the Republic of Georgia after the invasion by Russian troops.

Not a bad resume, Biden. Actually pretty good...and definitely throws a punch at the McCain campaign's argument that Obama is weak on foreign policy. It also helps that Biden has strongly criticized Obama in the past. I think it adds credibility to the Obama ticket, because if a critic as strong as Biden has now deemed it worthy to join Obama and - in himself - addresses Obama's perceived gaps, that certainly erases some of the concerns persons have voiced about Obama's inexperience.

Here's what Joe has said about Obama:

In a debate during the democratic primary contest:

*Who among us is going to be able on day one to step in an end the war? Who among us understands what to do about Pakistan? Who among us is going to pick up the phone and immediately interface with Putin and tell him to lay off Georgia because Saakashvili is in real trouble. Who among us knows what they're doing? I have 35 years of experience"

During another debate, when moderator George Stephanopoulos referred to some of Biden's comments on Obama, Biden reconfirmed them:

* "You were asked, 'Is he ready?' You said, 'I think he can be ready, but right now, I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training,'" Stephanopoulos said. "I think I stand by that statement," Biden replied.

However, Senator Biden was quick to note in July that Obama's wisdom was better than McCain's war record. Biden said, "But 20 years of experience that has not been very solid in terms of projecting what was going to happen just doesn't make you a better commander-in-chief. We don't need as a commander-in-chief a war hero. John's a war hero. We need someone with some wisdom."

Of course the GOP will be digging up the dirt on Biden (as Obama's camp will do when McCain announces his running mate). But for now this is what Ben Porritt, McCain's campaign spokesman, had to say: "There has been no harsher critic of Barack Obama's lack of experience than Joe Biden. Biden has denounced Barack Obama's poor foreign policy judgment and has strongly argued in his own words what Americans are quickly realizing -- that Barack Obama is not ready to be president."

Again, I think it strengthens Obama's campaign that a former critic, and a very experienced and respected foreign policy veteran, has accepted Obama's offer to join as running mate.

What do you think about the Obama-Biden ticket?

*********

Quick Stats on Biden (courtesy of CNN)

*Candidate status: Dropped out January 3, 2008

*Filed a statement of candidacy with the FEC on January 31, 2007

*States won: None

*Current job: U.S. senator from Delaware

*Birth date: November 20, 1942; Scranton, Pennsylvania

*Family: Married Jill Tracy Jacobs (1977-present); Neila Hunter (1966-1972, died). Children: Joseph "Beau"; Robert; Amy (1971-1972); Ashley (1981). Five grandchildren

*Religion: Roman Catholic

*Education: University of Delaware, B.A., 1965; Syracuse University, J.D., 1968

*Campaign Web site: http://www.joebiden.com/

Jesse to Obama: I want to cut your %%$ off!!

Ouch! *Cringe*

This one won't die down for a while.

Reverend Jesse Jackson made the mistake of voicing some very crude comments about Obama into a hot mic, before he was set to be interviewed on health care on Fox News. Jesse, very upset with Obama for "talking down" to black people, whispered "see, Barack [has] been talking down to black people . . . I wanna cut his nuts off", accompanying his statement with a cutting motion using his hand.

Goodness gracious! Jesse - really?

When the Reverend heard that Fox News planned to air his comments on Bill O'Reilly's "The Factor" show, he came out quickly apologizing and reiterating his support for the Obama campaign during a news conference yesterday.

Jesse's son is more than embarrassed - he's a key Obama supporter and had this to say about the controversy surrounding his dad: "I'm deeply outraged and disappointed in Reverend Jackson's reckless statements about Senator Barack Obama."

The Obama camp was gracious as usual. Bill Burton, Obama's spokesman, said that Obama, "of course accepts Reverend Jackson's apology."

I think Al Sharpton's reaction summarized it all very well. Al said that Obama "is running for president of all Americans, not just African-Americans. We must be careful not to segregate Senator Obama and impose some litmus test that is unfair and unproductive."

Reverend Jesse is now apologizing all over the place. I am sure he's also a bit nervous. Fox News said that they decided not to air all of Jesse's comments, because that would have been even more damaging to Jackson. Even more damaging that what we heard? Oh, Jesse!

Questions for Ms. Manners: Clinton as Vice President

Dear Ms. Manners,

Is it ever appropriate to drop strong public hints that you are interested in the Vice President post (for the U.S.) when you have not been asked by the Presidential running mate? Also, what if you dropped the hints at the time when your competitor was celebrating a historic win? If there are arguably very clear benefits for you to be part of the ticket - does that then make it OK?

Help!

Regards,
Confused in the Blogosphere

Congratulations, Obama!!

It's happened.

Senator Barack Obama is the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. History has been made. What a fascinating world.

Congrats, Obama!! I am proudly wearing my O-face!

Great showing...enjoy date night with your wife :)

The Clinton Machine: Victory at Any Cost

The recent rumblings don't sound good.

Clinton had a resurge coming out of Pennsylvania. She pushed hard and kept hope alive for North Carolina and Indiana. Then came her crushing defeat in North Carolina (14-point loss) and a 2-point narrow win in Indiana; making her nomination a mathematical impossibility, and even less likely if you factor in that she continues to lose on the popular vote. Clear signals for a withdrawal one would think. Never says Hilary as she pulls a Huckabee, ignores the obvious, and continues to push on.

Fine. Let's be charitable and acknowledge that perseverance is a great trait and that much has been accomplished by persons who ignored the naysayers and went on to achieve great success. That is not so much the issue, the increasingly scary part, is the tactics used by the Cs to achieve the coveted prize of the White House.

Senator Clinton has again come out swinging. She is no longer talking about war against Iran, this time it's about race and the fact that Obama can't win because he doesn't attract the white vote (!). According to Clinton, Obama's support within this group of "hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again", and she Clinton "has a much broader base to build a winning coalition on". Racially divisive? Not according to Clinton, who says that as everyone already knows "these are the people you have to win if you're a Democrat in sufficient numbers to actually win the election."Obama's camp felt that Clinton's comments were, "not true and frankly disappointing".

Not the smartest move for Clinton to pull the race card at this point. No surprise though given her (and Bill's) reputation of winning at any cost. However, it gets worse. Much worse. A recent news report strongly hints that the C-Machine has now embraced blackmailing.

According to CNN, Harvey Weinstein, a big Clinton backer, has threatened Nancy Pelosi. He allegedly told Pelosi that if she did not accept his proposal to fund revotes in Florida and Michigan, he would no longer contribute to any congressional Democrat. (Clinton believes that with revotes she would become the clear nominee.) In addition, Weinstein apparently has pressured Pelosi to rescind her earlier comments where she stated that superdelegates should support the candidate who was ahead in pledged delegates, i.e. Obama.

How can this not backfire on the Clintons? This is not perseverance. This is desperation and it is ugly.

Congrats to Hillary Clinton on Winning PA!

Senator Hillary Clinton was the victor in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, April 22. Hillary previously won other big states such as Ohio, New York and California. Last night's win adds great momentum to the Clinton machine that her campaign will surely leverage to raise doubts about Obama's ability to beat McCain. Hillary gains most of the 158 delegates in P.A., however, Obama still retains the overall lead (and popular vote) with 1,694 in delegates to Clinton's 1,556.

Congrats to Clinton. Sigh. I was really hoping for a different birthday present yesterday.

Hillary Clinton Caught in a Lie - Sniper Fabrication

Embellishment can be dangerous. Who hasn't been there? You spice up the story to make it more intriguing, you exaggerate to add more colour. Well, Hillary took it a bit too far and now her credibility is suffering.

Hillary Clinton has been lambasted in the press for lying about being at risk under sniper fire during a trip to Bosnia she made as first lady. Last Monday, during a speech on Iraq, Hillary waxed poetic about her Bosnia trip. Clinton said, "I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead, we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base." In December 2007, she had a similar dramatic version of events, "We landed in one of those corkscrew landings and ran out because they said there might be sniper fire. I don't remember anybody offering me tea on the tarmac when that was happening." Sounds exciting and also bolsters your run for president...except if you made it all up.

Videos of Clinton's trip to Bosnia reveal that she was greeted by a local school girl who read her a poem, along with a group of other children. No violence is seen on any of the footage.

The military is strongly condemning Hillary's fabrication, because of course it makes them look bad. Imagine that you are in charge of protecting the first lady and you allow her to be at risk of losing her life? You shouldn't bother showing up for work the next day. Retired General Walter Stewart said that Clinton's claims were insulting and noted that "heads would have rolled all over" if the military ever put the first lady at such levels of risk.

Clinton is also being criticized for making light of a very serious issue. A former Army analyst, quoted in the NY Post said, "You know, we have soldiers overseas now who are getting shot at by real bullets from real enemies who really want to kill them. Getting shot at by snipers is not something you forget - or make light of. If getting shot at by sniper fire qualifies you to be president, then there are thousands of guys in the military right now who are way more qualified than Hillary Clinton to be our next president."

Hillary has responded to the backlash by saying that she misspoke and admitting that the military did take good care of her. Clinton speaking on a Pittsburgh radio station yesterday said, "I have written about it in my book and talked about it on many other occasions and last week, you know, for the first time in 12 or so years, I misspoke."

First time you "misspoke" in 12 years? You know the Obama camp was not going to let Hillary get away that easily. Obama's campaign quickly identified at least 3 other times over the past several months where Clinton had shared her "under sniper fire" story.

Currently labelled a serial liar, it will be interesting to see how Hillary bounces back. I predict a few attacks on Obama's character coming from the Clinton campaign very soon and/or pictures of Clinton attending a church service or volunteering.

The Democrats and John McCain are Lapping up President Bush's McCain Endorsement

Embraced by President George Bush...is that really the look to go for if you want to become the next President?

John McCain certainly thinks so. He is ecstatic that he received Bush's endorsement today. Bush has said that he will do whatever McCain asks, because he wants John to win. McCain said that he appreciated Bush's endorsement and "service to our country." McCain went further to say that he wanted Bush at his side as much as possible on the campaign trail.

Given Bush's track record, it seems a bit odd that McCain is doing cartwheels about the current President's endorsement. However, there may be some method to the seeming madness. A current official states that Bush will help McCain raise a lot of money. Also, according to this official, Bush is extremely popular with the GOP base and can influence them at election time. Really?

Back in Democratsville, the Democrats are high-fiving over McCains bullish support of President Bush and Bush's bullish support of McCain. They feel that they couldn't have received a better gift. According to Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist and CNN contributor, McCain has "now become Bush's third term." Why? Begala feels that McCain has "embraced the Bush tax cuts that he voted against. He was against them being temporary; now he wants them being permanent. That's like marrying a girl you didn't want to date. He is rushed to Bush's Social Security plan, even disavowing his own Social Security plan on his own Web site." Ouch.

Given Bush's reputation on the global stage, as well as in the U.S., McCain should carefully manage his need for money and influence in the Republican party, with other potentially negative ramifications of highly visible support from President Bush.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/05/mccain.bush/index.html

OMG - Hillary is suggesting a Clinton-Obama Dream Ticket!

Fresh off of her big wins in Ohio and Texas yesterday, and likely giddy with confidence and excitement, Senator Clinton is strongly hinting at a Clinton-Obama Democratic ticket, with her, of course at the top.

Clinton said, "that may be where this is headed. But of course we have to decide who is on the top of the ticket. I think the people of Ohio very clearly said it should be me. I really think that now that Senator John McCain is going to be the nominee, Democratic voters have begun to take their decision very seriously, and that works to my benefit. This campaign is evolving. New questions are being raised. New challenges are being put to my opponent."

Someone should alert Obama about this potential shared ticket. He still views himself as the front runner and felt that Clinton's recent victories had minimal impact on his lead. Obama shared that, he and his team would "continue to win delegates. We will continue to campaign in every state and, by taking that approach, I am pretty confident we will have won more states, won more delegates and won more of the popular vote...we are going to be in a stronger position."


Source: CNN, Newsday.com

Cover of the Day - NY Post - Hillary Clinton Success

Hillary Did It - Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island are Hers

Obama had great momentum. He attained 12 consecutive wins since Super Tuesday. There were high hopes for him for the next primaries. He won Vermont. Was he a sure thing for the Democratic nomination? Not yet. Senator Clinton resurges.

To remain competitive, Hillary had to win in Ohio and Texas - delegate rich states. She won both contests as well as Rhode Island. According to her husband, that makes her a sure thing for the Democratic nomination. The reality is that neither Barack nor Hillary have enough pledged delegates in order to win - Obama is in the lead with 1,378 and Clinton has 1,269; candidates will need 2,025 to gain the nomination.

Obama continued to do well with the youth vote, while Clinton had greater success with the over 60 crowd. As expected, Clinton received strong support from the Hispanics - 64% vs. Obama's 32% - and Obama held on to the Black vote - 83% compared to Clinton's 16%.

The drama continues on the Democratic front, with no clear winner in sight. On the Republican side, Huckabee finally got the message and dropped out of the race, in light of McCain's wins in Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island. McCain has more than the 1,191 delegates needed for the Republican nomination and is expected to receive President Bush's endorsement today.

Barack Obama's US Weekly Interview

So how familiar are you with US Weekly?
My wife reads it.

What's your preferred reading material, then?
The books I never tire of are the ones I read with my daughters. Malia and I recently finished reading the Harry Potter series out loud to each other.

Do Malia or Sasha ever ask about Britney Spears?
Actually, yeah. But they're very sensible. They're pretty down on Britney and Paris and all of that. They think that's very "yuck". They're way more into Hannah Montana and Beyonce'. They got to go backstage and meet Beyonce', and they just love her to death.

What if they wanted to become actresses?
I would support any decision they make, but my instinct is that my 9-year-old will shy away from the limelight. My 6-year-old on the other hand, is a ham! I don't know if this will continue or not, but that's their temperament right now.

Are you a cool dad?
I think I'm pretty cool. I'm sure I could embarrass my girls, but I choose not to. [Even when I danced with Ellen DeGeneres], I thought [my moves] were pretty sweet. That's why my 9-year-old isn't embarrassed - because I can "bust a move," as they say.

Your supporters include Oprah Winfrey. Ever been starstruck?
I don't really get starstruck. Everyone I've met has been very nice and friendly, like Kal Penn. During the writers' strike, he was like a staffer! And Scarlett Johansson has been traveling a lot. George Clooney is a good friend. He and I worked on Darfur issues together. I'm always impressed by people who do their homework...and use their celebrity to advocate for issues. George does that just about as well as anyone I know.

Does Michelle have a celebrity crush?
She loves Stevie Wonder. I've been teasing her because Stevie fell off the stage at one of our events. I said to her, "This is your favorite performer, and you push him off the stage?" Fortunately, he was OK.

Name the songs for your campaign soundtrack.
I'm pretty partial to the "Yes We Can" song made by a group of talented supporters. A couple of others we play at rallies are "Think" by Aretha Franklin and "City of Blinding Lights" by U2.

What do you do in your free time?
I'll take a look at the sports pages to see how the White Sox or the Bulls are doing. Michelle loves Sudoku.

Your favourite foods?
I like a good chili, and cobbler. [According to Michelle, he "makes a mean chili!"] But in a rush, I snack on trail mix.

So, boxers or briefs?
I don't answer those humiliating questions. But, whichever one it is, I look good in 'em!


Source: US Weekly, Issue 682, March 10, 2008

Obama's Self-Control

I have watched Barack Obama in several of the telecasted debates and I am impressed by his style of delivery.

Obama always projects a sense of peace. He is very calm when responding to tough questions. He treats his opponents respectfully and is often able to effectively deflect potentially heated arguments.

In yesterday's debate in Ohio, Obama also showed humility, by conceding a point to Hillary Clinton. Hillary felt that Obama's denouncement of Minister Louis Farrakhan's (of the Nation of Islam) past anti-semitic statements was not enough. Clinton said that Obama should take a stronger stand and reject Farrakhan's endorsement. Obama said he thought denouncement and rejection were the same thing, but added that “If Senator Clinton feels that ‘reject’ is stronger than the word ‘denounce,’ then I’m happy to concede the point, and I would 'reject and denounce' Farrakhan’s support." Instead of being defensive, Obama agreed with Clinton and also lightened the moment - there was scattered laughter in the audience.

What a pro.

Hillary Clinton on President George Bush's Departure from the Oval Office

"The world will breathe a sigh of relief once he leaves, we all know that."

Picture of the Day - The Obamas

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php