More Obama News from Monday

Academy Award winning actor George Clooney is organizing a big fundraiser for Barack Obama in Switzerland on Sept. 2.

There will be a reception with tickets at $1,000 followed by a dinner at the house of NFC member Charles Adams for guests who raised at least $10,000 from multiple sources.

Why the event is taking place overseas is not explained, but the campaign states that only U.S. citizens with passports will be allowed to donate.

Tire pressure claim correct

Barack's claims on oil savings from simply keeping your tires properly inflated and getting regular tuneups is correct. The savings in fact, if practiced widely, could easily exceed the amount of oil obtained from any new offshore drilling.

McCain had mocked Obama's suggestions pointing instead to his plan to expand offshore drilling.

Also, it has been widely reported that Barack now supports some offshore drilling himself. Haven't seen the evidence though. He has said that he might consider some new drilling as part of a compromise plan were the good gained would offset the negatives of new drilling.


Barack in Ohio

In the following video, Barack talks in Ohio about his new energy plan and other economic matters. He notes that during the last eight years it has been the wealthy, the oil companies, the big contractors and lobbys who have gained, while the American people have suffered. He promises to shift the emphasis back to the people.

Obama News on Tuesday

The McCain campaign and the RNC have launched a full-scale negative ad campaign against presidential opponent Barack Obama.

One ad attacked Obama during this European trip claiming that the Illinois senator would not visit wounded troops without the press tagging along. However, Barack had already made such visits sans the press corps earlier in Iraq.

Most recently, the RNC has launched a website, BarackBook.com, a play on the popular FaceBook site where Obama's page has enlisted more than 1.2 million supporters.

Now negative ads can work sometimes, just like positive ads, but it depends on the situation that exists at the time. It's common practice to use them, though, when you're consistently behind in the polls as McCain has been. He did manage to lead a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, the first survey he's won since early May.


VP Gossip

There has been a lot of buzz out there over the fact that Barack is meeting with this vice presidential vetting team.

According to the rumors, a number of people have passed muster and are not on the short list, or the shorter list including Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine.

Kaine was an early supporter of Obama and can only serve one term as governor. If chosen, it would give the Democratic ticket a very youthful look, which can be viewed either positively or negatively. On the positive side, youthfulness can symbolize change. Detractors though might harp on the relative lack of experience although Kaine can claim that he has governed a state.

One curious and possible beneficial side of a Kaine pick is that his last name a lot like "McCain." In fact, I heard the two get mixed up on the news today. It's definitely possible that some voters looking for McCain might get confused and pick Kaine instead!

Obama News on Saturday

Yesterday, Barack Obama explained the politics behind offshore oil rig drilling at a press conference in Jacksonville, Florida.



Today, Barack appeared at the U.S. Conference of Mayor's convention in Miami where he talked about the importance of local government.

Obama News on Wednesday

Sen. Barack Obama picked up the endorsements of the United Mine Workers of America and superdelegate Rep. Joe Courtney giving him only 62 delegates more to go for the nomination.

Here's the statement from UMWA:

We are extremely proud to make this endorsement today. Sen. Obama shares the values of UMWA members and our families. He understands and will fight for the needs our members have today and the hopes our members have for a secure future for themselves and their families.

Most of all, Sen. Obama will implement the clear change in direction UMWA members–indeed, all American working people–must have if they are to once again move forward and have a true opportunity to realize the American dream. After eight years of being pushed aside by an administration which neither respects nor values the contributions American working families make to our society, we are looking forward with great anticipation to a new era in our nation starting with the inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009.

Today, Barack Obama spoke before 15,000 people in Tampa Bay, Florida. Watch the video.

Obama News on Thursday

Sen. Barack Obama has picked up four more superdelegates and the endorsement of a major union today.

The United Steelworkers and superdelegates, Larry Cohen, Communications Workers of America President; Congressmen Henry Waxman, Howard Berman and Jim McDermott all announced their support for Obama.

Here is the statement from the United Steelworkers.

When the presidential primary contests began last year, our Union felt strongly that because of Senator John Edwards’s deep commitment to working people and because of our shared beliefs, he deserved our strong endorsement. His belief that unfair trade policies must be changed, his commitment to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) to restore workers’ rights to freely choose workplace representation, and his proposal for universal health care were widely shared by our members.

Today, by virtue of a unanimous vote of our International Executive Board, we find ourselves once again in agreement with Senator Edwards, this time with his decision last evening to endorse Senator Barack Obama. And thus today, the United Steelworkers enthusiastically endorses Senator Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States.

Senator Obama’s call for a significant change of direction amounts to far more than a compelling rallying cry. It is buttressed by his record of consistent support for workers, by his call for sweeping changes to our health care system, by his unflinching support for Employee Free Choice, and by his insistence that America’s trade policies must, first and foremost, serve the interests of America’s working families.

Senator Obama has shown his commitment to working families by proposing significant investments in the future of American manufacturing, in the revitalization of our nation’s infrastructure, and in 21st century clean energy technologies that will lead to significant growth in domestic jobs. He is clearly the candidate who can best lead our nation out of the dark period of economic decline created by the Bush administration’s allegiance to Wall Street profiteering at the expense of worker prosperity.

We share Senator Obama’s call for significant changes to these bankrupt policies, just as we earlier shared Senator Edwards’ And all of us, including we hope Senator Clinton for whom we have the utmost respect, must now do everything we can to ensure that Barack Obama is the next President of the United States. Now is the time for contention and division to cease, and for us to unite behind the changes for which Senator Obama and our members are calling.

America’s workers cannot afford another four years of rehashed Bush administration policies, another four years in which the National Labor Relations Board shills for corporate misconduct, or another four years of a Secretary of the Treasury who considers it his “job” to bail out Wall Street speculators at the expense of hard working families loosing their homes.

Nor can those of us who are committed to changing the direction of the country afford any more racial profiling of an election, when either Democratic candidate would be far superior to Senator McCain’s lock-step commitment to four more years of the broken Bush economy and the broken Bush foreign policies.

We are proud and honored to join Senator Edwards in endorsing Senator Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States. We commit ourselves to working tirelessly for his election and for a new age of cooperation among Democrats, Independents and thoughtful Republicans alike in which working Americans are restored to a place of dignity in society and in the American economy.

Obama News on Wednesday

Barack Obama is campaigning now more for the general election than the primary. He appeared to day in Michigan talking about green manufacturing, and last night he discussed the economy in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. These are both important swing states that could go either way this November.

The victory yesterday of a Democrat in a Mississippi Republican stronghold is yet more evidence than many more states may "swing" than would be expected using traditional red state, blue state maps. Hillary Clinton's arguments on electability really do not take into account important new demographic trends.

More Superdelegates for Obama

Today, four more superdelegates have hopped aboard the Obama train.

From the College Democrats of America (CDA), CDA President Lauren Wolfe and CDA Vice President Awais Khaleel announced their support for Obama. Indiana Rep. Pete Visclosky and Democrats Abroad Chair and superdelegate Christine Schon Marques also threw their support to Obama.



CDA President and Vice President express their support for Barack Obama.


Barack talks about the economy last night in Missouri.

Obama News on Wednesday

Brian Cardarella is donating half of his Bush stimulus check to the Obama campaign, and he's encouraging others to consider donating a portion of their checks. Obviously, the Bush economy makes it harder for many people to donate, but that hasn't stopped Barack from breaking all fundraising records.


Today, Barack picked up three additional superdelegates, former Clinton supporter and South Dakota senator George McGovern was said to have switched to Obama after asking Hillary to concede.

Barack now needs 170 more delegates to gain the nomination. From barackobama.com:

Three Superdelegates Endorse Obama; Delegate Countdown - 170 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen, Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 11:51 AM

Chicago, IL – The day after Barack Obama’s commanding victory in North Carolina and tight finish in Indiana, three superdelegates today endorsed Barack Obama.

The three previously uncommitted superdelegates endorsing Obama are North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Meek, North Carolina DNC member Jeanette Council, and California DNC member Inola Henry.

These endorsements brings the total number of superdelegates to endorse Obama to 261. Senator Obama is 170 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.

Chairman Meek said, “Over the past year, I’ve watched as Barack Obama has drawn countless new people to the political process. Although my position as State Chair has led me to remain neutral through the primary, I’ve quietly celebrated as Barack Obama offered new hope to millions of Americans who have lost faith in the American dream after years of disastrous Republican policies. Rarely does a public servant emerge with Barack Obama’s ability to unite our country and produce real change. With Barack Obama as our nominee, North Carolina can deliver its electoral votes to a Democrat and Democratic candidates up and down the ballot will benefit. Barack Obama offers the best chance to take back the White House, elect countless democrats down-ballot, and breathe new life into the Democratic Party.”

Jeanette Council said, “I am pleased today to be endorsing Barack Obama as he continues to unite Americans for change. This election is a unique opportunity for all Americans and Barack Obama’s campaign has inspired and changed the entire face of our country. His campaign has mobilized new people and welcomed people of all ages, races, backgrounds, attracted everyone from first time voters to voters who have participated their entire adult lives. The way he has built a campaign that reflects his message of hope and change and brought all different communities to the table is unlike any campaign I have ever seen.”

Council added, “I am first and foremost a Democrat and the Democratic Party is truly the party of the people, the party of inclusion that wants to engage all people in the political process. This is what Barack Obama has done. Seeing this happen, especially here in North Carolina, has changed me forever and given me hope that we can change this country. I put much thought, consideration and most importantly prayer into this decision, and today I know I am backing a candidate who can put our country on the right path. I’m proud to endorse him today.”

Let's keep building the momentum. It's up to us to make sure this movement continues to grow...

Obama News on Primary Eve

The Obama campaign has released a last second ad slamming negative campaigning and calling for real solutions instead.



And here's an ad airing in North Carolina hitting at Hillary's gas tax cut proposal.




Native American activist and superdelegate Kayln Free, a Choctaw Nation member, endorsed Barack Obama today. Barack has been garnering many more superdelegates recently as compared to Hillary Clinton whose early lead is diminishing.

Barack released this statement for today's Cinco de Mayo celebration.

"As Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we’re reminded that while Mexico’s cultural traditions are an important part of who we are as Americans, the American dream is still out of reach for too many Latinos. Only eleven percent of Latinos obtain a college degree, which is why we need to make college affordable for all. Nearly a third of America’s uninsured are Latino, which is why we need to provide universal health care for every American. And our broken immigration system works for neither the immigrant families who are being torn apart nor the workers who are concerned about unfair competition, which is why we need to pass comprehensive immigration reform once and for all. So while I hope that all Americans are enjoying this Cinco de Mayo, I also hope that when the celebrations come to an end, we’ll take up the cause of coming together as Americans to solve our common challenges and put the American dream within reach for every family in this country."

Obama News Roundup

Here's the new web ad released by the Obama campaign.

Note that the ad includes John McCain!

In this video, Barack speaks about healthcare in Gary, Indiana.



In Terre Haute, Indiana, Barack responds to the combined attacks by Hillary Clinton and John McCain.



In this video, Barack discusses the importance of community organizing while volunteers in the Philadelphia campaign office register voters.



Franktuary, a NY style hot dog restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh, created two meals based on the candidates, the Barackwurst for Barack Obama.

Obama News on Wednesday

Here in California, we have just started receiving election materials including our sample ballots.

Many people here are just starting to study the candidates and that would also be the case in other Super Tuesday states along with South Carolina and even Nevada.

Right after Nevada, South Carolina and the Feb. 5 states probably should be treated as one big election.

Some more important Obama endorsements have come in today. South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson endorsed his colleague today.

Northern California House Rep. George Miller also threw his support to the Illinois senator. Contra Costa Supervisor Susan Bonilla and San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty also endorsed Obama; CSF supervisor Chris Daly announced his endorsement yesterday.

Obama News on Sunday

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle endorsed Sen. Barack Obama yesterday, and today, former senator Bill Bradley announced his support for Obama.

A group of nine prominent New Hampshire supporters of Joe Biden and Chris Dodd, who have withdrawn from the race, have also endorsed Obama. Here's the list of new endorsements:

Dan Calegari, Deerfield – Former NH Field Director for Gary Hart ‘84; Veteran of five NH Presidential Primaries; Small Business Owner; Member of Senator Dodd’s Steering Committee

Pat Clark, Tilton – Democratic Activist

Jim Craig, Manchester – Former New Hampshire House Minority Leader

Representative Mike Farley, Manchester – Former John Kerry ‘04 NH Steering Committee Member, Secretary of Manchester City Democratic Party, Democratic Activist, Member of Dodd’s Steering Committee

Joe Keefe, Manchester – NH Democratic Party Chairman and former Chairman of Senator Dodd’s State Steering Committee

Quentin Keefe, Manchester – Owner of Commercial Street Fishery; President, Regency Mortgage Company

Chris Kennedy, Manchester – NH State Senate Legislative Aide, veteran of the 2006 NH Senate Democratic Caucus Field Operation for the Lakes Region

Joe Sullivan, Manchester – Manchester Ward 12 Democratic Committee, Retired Teacher

Anna Tilton, Marlborough – Co-Chair of Cheshire County for Dodd; Cheshire County Register of Probate; 2nd Vice Chair (and formerChair) of Cheshire County Democrats

An Associated Press article examines how the Obama campaign got the youth to vote in Iowa, a challenge they face again in New Hampshire.

Iowa Obama Videos

Check out the crowd of supporters that gathered for the Des Moines Register debate yesterday in Iowa.




Susan Klopfer of Iowa was once a fervent volunteer for Hillary Clinton but she came to the conclusion that Barack Obama was the best hope for change. Listen to her tell why:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXPnMflGkvI

Obama News on Thursday

Hillary Clinton's campaign, apparently responding to their own sliding poll numbers, have gone personal bringing up Barack Obama's drug use as a teenager that the Illinois senator mentions in his own writings.

It's a risky approach by the Clinton group especially in Iowa, where negative campaigning is often oooked down at. Mutual attacks by Howard Dean and Richard Gephardt during the last Iowa caucus in 2004 are believed to have helped John Kerry slip by the frontrunners to a surprise victory.

Four Dem. County Chairs endorse Obama

Four leaders of the Democratic Party at the county level in Iowa have endorsed Barack Obama today.

The county chairs of Appanoose, Benton, Lucas, and Monroe counties have promised to campaign for Obama in their respective counties.

Yesterday, former South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman, Joe Erwin, who stepped down earlier this year, announced his support for the senator.

Obama News for Thursday

U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, who knows Iowa politics probably as well as anybody, predicted in the New York Times that Barack Obama and Mitt Romney would win the Iowa caucuses.

In California, Linda Darling Hammond, a Stanford professor of education, has been named a campaign adviser to the Obama campaign.

"Barack Obama realizes that education in today's knowledge age is critical to the survival and success of both individuals and society," Darling-Hammond said. "His education plan is comprehensive -- making essential, strategic investments at each stage of education, from early childhood through higher education."


Michelle Obama speaks in New Hampshire about the notion of public service.

Obama News on Wednesday

There's been more buzz about whether Oprah Winfrey's endorsement will help Barack Obama, some suggesting it might even hurt the candidate.

I have a hard time believing that the endorsement will hurt Obama. If Frank Sinatra, with his rumored mob connections, didn't hurt John F. Kennedy, I can't see what harm Oprah could do. Of course, the Kennedy's did eventually distance themselves from Sinatra to the benefit of the Republicans who used the star's support to help get Ronald Reagan elected.

Maybe some fans will get perturbed that she is delving into politics, but how many would actually change their vote on that basis? On the other hand, I think at least some percentage of her supporters would consider her endorsement as important. Non-Oprah fans will probably just ignore the whole thing.

Jessica Biel and other celebrities to rock for Barack

Jessica Biel, Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Walsh and Taye Diggs will be talking up Barack Obama at a big Hollywood concert set for Dec. 11.

The combination rally-fundraiser is called "'Los Angeles Generation Obama Concert" and will be held at the Gibson Amphitheater. Tickets are available at barackobama.com.

Obama calls youth to service

Today, Barack issued a call on young people to serve their reminiscent of John F. Kennedy's plea decades ago. Here are some details of the plan:

• Expand AmeriCorps from its current 75,000 slots to 250,000 slots, enabling the program to establish five new Corps that address some of America's most pressing challenges: Classroom Corps, Health Corps, Clean Energy Corps, Veterans Corps, and Homeland Security Corps.

• Engage retiring Americans in service on a large scale by expanding and improving Senior Corps, VISTA and other programs that connect individuals over the age of 55 to volunteer opportunities.

• Double the size of the Peace Corps from 7,800 volunteers to 16,000 by its 50th anniversary in 2011 and work to partner volunteers with people from other nations.

• Establish an America's Voice Initiative to recruit and train Americans that are fluent speakers of local languages to bolster our public diplomacy efforts abroad

• Create a national online network, modeled on Craigslist, to connect volunteers to service and donation opportunities

• Establish a goal of having middle and high-schoolers contribute at least 50 hours a week to community service, and reach that goal through national guidelines for service-learning and additional resources for schools to develop successful programs.

• Connect disadvantaged youth to service opportunities and a pathway to success through the creation of Green Job Corps and the expansion of YouthBuild from 8,000 slots today to 50,000 slots over the next eight years.

• Create a new American Opportunity Tax Credit to ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for Americans willing to complete 100 hours of public service a year.

• Promote College Serve-Study by immediately increasing the percentage of Federal Work-Study Program funding that goes to community service jobs from 7 percent to 25 percent, and helping colleges and universities reach a goal of 50 percent of serve-study over time.

• Expand the capacity of the nonprofit sector by establishing a Social Investment Fund Network to provide R&D capital to encourage innovation, find out what works, and expand successful programs to scale across the country.

• Create a Social Entrepreneurship Agency to enable nonprofits to build capacity through improved collaborations with government.

Click here for full details of the plan.

Time Portraits of Barack Obama

Time magazine has a nice photo essay on Barack Obama:

Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME

Barack Obama promises immediate Iraq pullout

Speaking to a crowd of 5,000 Friday at Arizona State University in Tempe, Sen. Barack Obama pledged to order a U.S. troop pullout from Iraq upon taking office.

Raul Alvillar, director of Obama's campaign in Arizona, said he thinks Obama's consistent opposition to the war in Iraq will present a clear choice to Hillary Rodham Clinton, who voted to authorize the war. This

More combative style

Many observers have noted that Barack is taking on Hillary much more in his public statements. A Politico blogger speculates that this may be driven by supporters who are getting worried by Obama's position in the polls.

Obama's handlers, however, keep assuring the faithful that the strategy of winning or beating expectation in Iowa and building up momentum will work.

I have to think that Hillary Clinton's camp is under a lot pressure now. If she goes up any more in the polls, even Pollyanna would have to suspect something was fishy in Denmark.

The Obama camp was able to celebrate they're reaching the goal of $2.1 million to close the funding gap with Clinton.

A crowd of Obama supporters in Nevada on Thursday.

There is a great article in Esquire about the Bush administration's moves toward war with Iran:

The Secret History of the Impending War with Iran That the White House Doesn't Want You to Know

Assorted Obama News and Videos

Here are some clips from Barack Obama's appearance on the Tavis Smiley Show last night.








Obama's Iowa MySpace team has organized youth forums in that state together with MySpace and MTV.

Here is an excerpt from the official campaign blog:

Our Iowa MySpace team introduced Barack's Iowa Presidential Dialogue at Coe College sponsored by MySpace and MTV. The forum will stream live on MySpace.com, MTV's ChooseOrLose.com and MTV Mobile, airing at 7 p.m. ET that evening on MTV. The dialogue will be moderated by MTV News correspondents Gideon Yago and Sway Calloway, as well as WashingtonPost.com political reporter Chris Cillizza. For additional information on this event visit either www.myspace.com/barackobama_IA or www.myspace.com/election2008.

YouTube videos of Barack's recent appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno:

Patrick to endorse Obama at Boston Common rally
Boston Herald
AP -- Gov. Deval Patrick will announce his endorsement of presidential contender Barack Obama on Tuesday.



Barack Obama: Pragmatist learned to adapt to different worlds

By SHARON COHEN

CHICAGO - It was a Wednesday night ritual for Barack Obama: After a day of debating taxes, the death penalty or some other divisive issue, he'd head to a meeting of "The Committee."

Lawmakers and lobbyists, Democrats and Republicans alike, would put politics on hold and gather for ... their weekly poker game.

It was a chance for Obama, then an Illinois state lawmaker, to socialize over cards and cigars (or, in his case, cigarettes). It also was a way for this son of an African goat herder, this Harvard-educated lawyer, author and professor to show he could be just one of the guys.

Read more...