Impeach Bush - A Wasted Effort At This Point

By: Sarah Hutchins

"Impeach Bush! Impeach Bush!" command the posters, bumper stickers and protesters eagerly waving their signs around Portland. I smile at their valiant effort, but then a wistful thought snakes through my mind. Too little, too late.

As much as I would love to see George W. Bush booted out of the White House, sprawled on the concrete while passerbys sneer at his dopey face, it isn't a realistic goal.

Looking at Bill Clinton's case, it took months of trials to impeach him and despite the impeachment, he remained in office until the end of his term. Since Bush is less than a year away from the end of his term, an impeachment would be unlikely to remove him from office any sooner than planned.

A Web site called www.bushslastday.com has a wonderful timer counting down the seconds until Bush's term of presidency is finally finished.

Even if the U.S. government worked uncharacteristically speedily to remove Bush from office, Dick Cheney would then become the president. It seems superfluous to spend tax money to remove one scumbag from office just to replace him with another. I have seen "Impeach Cheney" signs as well, but people are still missing the bigger picture; that change will not become possible until Bush's cabinet is eradicated and replaced.

Supporting Barack Obama or John McCain is a good start. Yet, protestors' time would be better spent fighting for issues. The media often focuses on choosing Obama as president so he can clean up Bush's messes.

Supporting presidential candidates is a good idea as long as other important issues don't get swept underneath the rug. Protestors could spend time locally supporting the causes that make Obama a more admirable president than Bush.

Ending the Iraq War is paramount. As both the number of wounded soldiers and the death rate climbs, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate. There are few stories sadder than the 18-year-olds, fresh from high school, that want to protect their country but instead lose their life in a war centered on the president's greed.

In Obama's Blueprint For Change, he states that as president, "I will end the war in Iraq. I will close Guantanamo. I will restore habeas corpus." He promises that he would never allow such torture to occur as Bush has orchestrated at Guantanamo. A recent New York Times article reported that some people have been detained in Guantanamo now for six years under harsh conditions.

Perhaps if Bush were not so personally involved with established oil companies, he'd be keen on the idea of finding another source of energy. Once the fossil fuels are consumed, they're gone. It is childish to fight over it. Children are taught to share, but first I think that adults must learn this principle. Many countries have taken a mature stance on the energy crisis by looking for alternative, sustainable options.

On Obama's Web site, he suggests that this would create up to five million new green jobs. These jobs would start higher than minimum wage and have the potential for advancement.

New, sustainable, high-paying jobs are exactly what we need to boost our economy and the environment. Also, it would be a proactive step toward combating global warming.

Several recent reports are concerned that the polar ice cap could completely break apart this summer for the first time in human history. The melted ice would become fresh water, diluting the salt content in the oceans. Wild polar bears would be rendered extinct. Ocean currents, which control weather, could be affected. Major cities could suffer from flooding. The ramifications are not fully known.

Human rights are another support-worthy cause. With California becoming the second state to legalize gay marriage, now is a great time to follow in Canada's footsteps to advocate for gay rights for the entire United States. As president, Obama pledges to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and support gay rights for equality.

Obama will also support college students by creating the new American Opportunity Tax Credit to make community college and the first $ 4,000 of every student's higher education free. The rest of the tuition would be covered by up to two-thirds of the cost.

There are several other issues that Obama states that he supports which we could also try to improve locally. Taking care of our veterans, civil rights, improving education standards, creating affordable healthcare, fighting poverty and any other society-improving cause that you can think up.

If someone has the time to hold signs demanding to impeach George W., than perhaps reallocating that time to support these causes would be a better use of one's time.

How the cookie crumbles - Potential First Ladies Recipe Contest

In the midst of a presidential election year, we're being hit with political news left and right. But something outside of the nominees has come across the circuit recently.

Family Circle magazine is hosting a potential first lady cookie recipe contest, as they have for the past four elections. In the 21st century, however, it is extremely archaic to assume that potential first ladies occupy such a domestic tradition.

The newsworthy aspect of the cookie contest is that the first lady, who has won the recipe challenge in the past four elections, has been attached to the politician who wins the election itself. It's very impressive because, in a spooky way, a wife's cookie recipe can forecast her husband's success. But that is a mindset from past generations of nuclear families.

Today, female role models should not come from Betty Crocker. Women may still get married, have children and manage to run a household, but we also go to college, have careers and make names for ourselves that do not revolve around our famous chocolate chip cookie recipe.

The idea of the cookie contest may have come around to promote the first lady as a positive role model, but children should really be hearing about how she is married to a senator and a presidential nominee. She didn't marry so she could be a trophy on a man's arm.

It is a demeaning contest to be asking these successful women to come up with homemade cookie recipes when they, like most working mothers, probably buy the Pillsbury ready-made dough.

Between litigations, children and her husband's campaign, do you think Michelle Obama is really considering if cinnamon is the missing ingredient in her famous shortbread cookie recipe? Would Cindy McCain? Frankly, no. I do not expect that they ever, especially not now, have enough hours in the day to be creating cookie recipes from scratch.

I actually feel bad for Cindy McCain. The woman is an heiress to one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributors in the nation, has a Master of Arts in special education and founded the American Voluntary Medical Team, which brings emergency medical care to disaster or war-torn areas in third-world countries.

Do we care if she has a homemade recipe for macaroons? She already got in trouble earlier in the year for plagiarizing a passion fruit mousse recipe from the Food Network. For the competition, she is trying oatmeal butterscotch cookies.

And should we be concerned about Michelle Obama's shortbread cookie recipe? It makes more sense to focus on the fact that she received her undergraduate degree from Princeton, graduated cum laude and received her Juris Doctorate from Harvard.

Maybe our society is afraid of having intelligent and successful role models and the cookie crumbs are more accessible to the public. Or maybe people can't seem to understand that a politician is more believable when he has an intelligent, self-supporting woman on his arm that chose him over all of the other men she could have taken.

If we want to get to know these women and use them as positive role models, we should be asking them about what they really know.

How does Michelle Obama actually balance her work, family and husband's career? How does Cindy McCain chair her father's company, run a NPO and maintain a smile for her husband's campaign? These men should feel privileged to be married to such successful women and not have them downplayed or domesticated into a Stepford wife.

First ladies should be intelligent, articulate and just as successful as their husbands. It makes no difference if they cheat with Bisquick or make batter from scratch. It does not change who they are. Even though the cookie results will not be revealed until October, I can safely say, we already have two winning women.

How the cookie crumbles - Opinion

Barack Obama Needs a Pit-bull as Vice President

Congratulations to the Democratic nominee and the next President of the United States, Barack Obama. As we move forward to the General Election--one has to ask who is the best choice for Vice President? There are many issues that come up when thinking about this question, but I have narrowed them down to only three:

(1). Who will help Obama in the South?
(2). Who can help Obama in rural America where Obama made the statement about angry Americans and guns?
(3). Who can help Obama to win the big states and swing states?

As we think about these questions, I can't help but to see how all three of these = a democrat in the White House. As we look at question 1, we can't forget that the Clintons have a big footprint in Arkansas and how well Hillary did in Florida. I am sure you can see where this article is going, but to me--it has been going that way since January 2008. If Hillary had captured the nomination, this article would be focused on Obama and my support for him to be the Vice President (However, the top three questions would be completely different).

The second question has more to do with Bill Clinton. We all know he is popular among rural voters and right now, the economy is not doing very well in this part of America (and a lot of other areas as well). Bill Clinton is aligned with a great economy and therefore very popular among these voters. As Obama moves forward, this should be part of his strategy, and by adding Mrs. Clinton to his ticket the motivation of Bill Clinton could only be better under this scenario.

As we consider the last question, which I believe to be the biggest reason why Obama needs Mrs. Clinton on his ticket. Hillary won almost every big state and swing state out there. If we are to beat John McCain, we must win the swing states (Florida and Ohio the biggest threats) and Hillary adds stock to this scenario. We cannot afford to lose this election and continue down the path towards a economy that is already in a recession and possibly a depression. We cannot afford to spend billions of dollars every month in Iraq while so many Americans are suffering with their mortgage, providing health care to their families or just finding a job that will pay the bills. We cannot afford to have more of the same.

The last point wasn't put into a question, but is very important as well. I have personally admired the tenacity and determination of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to take on the battle and continue to fight until the bell had sounded in the 15th round. She did not give up. Obama needs someone in his camp who has the experience to deal with the Republicans, intelligence to overcome their tactics and toughness to fight them toe to toe. She is a pit-bull when it counts, and Obama needs a Pit-bull as Vice President.

As a final note, I have to remind myself why she is the best choice. Senator Clinton can mobilize a campaign team of Bill and Chelsea who have inspired millions of Americans; Senator Clinton can energize the women voters (specifically the older women voters who may have troubles getting to a voting booth); Senator Clinton can add value as a masterful debater during the Vice President debate sessions; Senator Clinton can inspire the Hispanic voters and the Asian voters; Senator Clinton Hillary Clinton has these qualities and has my support and endorsement as the first women Vice President of the United States of America.

Clinton Wins Big In Puerto Rico--Loses Small Overall

By Nicholas Johnston and Kim Chipman

June 1 (Bloomberg) -- Hillary Clinton won the Puerto Rico primary and vowed to continue her fight for the Democratic presidential nomination even as Barack Obama moved closer to securing enough delegates to seal victory.

Clinton had more than a 2-1 advantage with 91 percent of precincts reporting. The New York senator picked up 28 of Puerto Rico's delegates to 14 for Obama with 13 yet to be allocated, the Associated Press reported.

Sounding a note of resolve, Clinton said today's results strengthened her case to party leaders that she should be the nominee because she is winning in the popular vote. The Clinton campaign's calculations include disputed results from Florida, where neither candidate campaigned, and Michigan, where Obama wasn't on the ballot.

``We are winning the popular vote,'' Clinton told her supporters in San Juan. ``Now there can be no doubt.''

The partial results today put Obama just 51 delegates short of the 2,118 needed to clinch the nomination. He now has 2,067 delegates to Clinton's 1,907 -- including pledged delegates and so-called superdelegates drawn from party leaders and lawmakers who aren't bound by the voters' preferences. Obama added two of those superdelegates to his total today.

Offering Congratulations

Obama, speaking at a rally in Mitchell, South Dakota, said he called Clinton to congratulate her. The Illinois senator told the crowd of about 2,000 that the Democrats would be able to put their differences aside in time for the general election.

Clinton ``is going to be a great asset when we go on to November to make sure we defeat the Republicans,'' Obama, 46, said.

Obama's communications director, Robert Gibbs, said on the ABC's ``This Week'' today that his candidate may seal the nomination after the contests two days from now in South Dakota and Montana, which together have 31 delegates.

``I think sometime this week, we'll probably have a nominee for the Democratic Party,'' Gibbs said.

CNN projected the turnout in Puerto Rico would be between 325,000 and 425,000 voters, a fraction of what Clinton supporters had sought to boost her claim that she is winning the popular vote.

Clinton spent the past two weekends campaigning on the Caribbean island of 4 million people, while Obama focused his attention elsewhere, anticipating a general election race against Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona.

Holding the Lead

Clinton nibbled into Obama's delegate lead yesterday as Democratic Party officials adopted a compromise aimed at settling a dispute over seating Michigan and Florida delegations. The Democrats hold their convention in Denver in August to anoint their presidential nominee.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and other party leaders are urging the superdelegates to make a choice once the nominating contests are concluded.

In South Dakota and Montana, the Clinton campaign began airing television advertisements trumpeting her as the candidate who has won more votes than ``any primary candidate in history.''

17 Million Votes

``Some say there isn't a single reason for Hillary to be the Democratic nominee,'' the commercial says. ``They're right. There are over 17 million of them.'' The Clinton campaign said she has received more than 17 million votes nationwide in all nominating contests.

Clinton, 60, tonight flies to South Dakota, where she has three campaign stops tomorrow.
While campaigning in South Dakota today, Obama spoke with veterans and their families at a pancake breakfast in Sioux Falls, focusing on attacking McCain for his support of Republican President George W. Bush's veterans policies.

Puerto Rico's residents, on three islands about 1,000 miles southeast of Florida, are U.S. citizens who can vote in nominating contests but not in the general election. They also have no voting representatives in the U.S. House or Senate.

Island Voters

Both Clinton and Obama pledged to solve the issue of Puerto Rico's representation by letting island voters decide on independence or statehood.

A party committee yesterday voted to seat delegations from Michigan and Florida at the convention, though with only a half vote for each delegate. The party had previously stripped the states of their delegates for ignoring the party's primary schedule.

Clinton aides today criticized the accord, particularly the allocation of delegates in Michigan, where Clinton appeared on the ballot without Obama. Clinton adviser Harold Ickes said on CNN's ``Late Edition'' that the committee ``reached out and hijacked four delegates won by Hillary Clinton and gave them to Barack Obama.''

The panel voted 19-8 to seat the Michigan delegation, giving Clinton 34.5 delegate votes and Obama 29.5.

Donna Brazile, a committee member who was Vice President Al Gore's campaign manager in 2000, said on CNN today that the panel would have supported an even split of the Michigan delegation and that Obama conceded delegates in the hope of reaching consensus. She said the Clinton team, by contrast, made ``no gesture'' toward compromise.

To contact the reporters on this story: Nicholas Johnston in San Juan, Puerto Rico at njohnston3@bloomberg.net

DNC Rules To Seat 50% of Florida & Michigan's Delegates

As 12 committee members voted for 100% seating of the Florida Delegates, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's supporters cheered on the members who approved the motion on the floor. However, 15 members voted to not seat the delegates 100% and Obama supporters then took the floor with cheers and applause.

Members gave reasons for both sides of the argument. A Filipina congresswoman stated as a child, she was raised by rules, but in the event that the rules damage the unity within the family--the rules would be re-evaluated and changed.

Alice Huffman, a committee member who opposed the seating of Florida by 100% stated, "when we leave here, we will be more united than when we came." Clinton supporters bursted out in laughter as the member went on to cast her argument and a male observer shouted out, "'This isn't unity.'' 'Huffman pressed on as the shouts kept coming "You just took away votes,'' another woman yelled

The second motion on the floor was to seat 50% of Florida's delegates and passed with 27 votes, and later, Michigan passed with 19 votes to seat 50% and 8 votes against. Obama picked up a total of 32 delegates in Michigan, including superdelegates who have already committed, and 36 in Florida. Clinton picked up 38 in Michigan, including superdelegates, and 56.5 in Florida.

Obama's total increased to 2,052, and Clinton had 1,877.5.

The resolution increased the number of delegates needed to clinch the nomination to 2,118, leaving Obama 66 delegates short but still within striking distance after the three final primaries are held in the next three days.

The debate continues as I submit this post so please feel free to update this article and please visit my main page for other articles at http://barackandhillary.blogspot.com/

DNC Rules Committee, Florida and Michigan delegates, Michigan and Florida delegates

Obama Resigns from Trinity United Church of Christ

According to Chicago blogger, Monroe Anderson, Sen. Barack Obama sent a letter to Trinity United Church of Christ yesterday resigning his membership. His resignation comes on the heels of a controversial video clip of Father Michael Pfleger speaking in a guest appearance at Trinity. Here is the full article.

In the wake of the Father Michael Pfleger controversial sermon last Sunday at Trinity United Church of Christ, Barack Obama sent a letter yesterday resigning from his place of worship for the past 20 years.

I sort of, kind of, understand why he did it. But I’m also sort of, kind of, concerned about what this might portend for an Obama presidency. Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Trinity are community building blocks that the right wing has turned into bricks to be thrown at presidential candidate Obama from now until the general election ends in November—and perhaps beyond.

So in an attempt to turn manufactured right-wing ammo into blanks, Obama has completely separated himself from his minister and his church. What worries me is this: Can we expect a President Obama to cave in to the whims and will of the right on policies and issues he knows are important, if this nation is to move forward in a progressive and compassionate manner? Can we expect him to genuflect to negative reports by an uninformed, misinformed or ill-willed media? Is the candidate of change willing to go-along in a willy-nilly get-along fashion?

I hope not, but I’m not sure.

Obama knows what Trinity is about. I’ve only set foot in the church twice in my life and I know what it’s about. It’s nothing like it’s being portrayed in the national media. Nor is Rev. Wright. Obama knows that Rev. Wright and his church and Father Pfleger have been forces for good on Chicago’s South Side for three decades. Both Trinity and Father Pfleger should have known the Catholic priest’s racially-tinged mocking Hillary Clinton performance would only be perceived as another weapon to use against Obama. They should know, as I know, that they ultimately left the Illinois senator with little political choice.

I also know that perception can become reality in our media-defined world. But reality is not always perception. And, the reality is that Obama cannot let the right-wing dictate his principles.

Should this become his practice as president, then for those who have invested so much hope in him, his victory will only be a pyrrhic one.

Please feel free to reply to this article

Trinity Church, Obama resigns from church, United Trinity Church of Christ

Hillary Clinton Gets Florida & Michigan and Wins Primary

Imagine:

Saturday, June 1

2pm

After a long, hard fought battle from Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to get Florida and Michigan delegates seated, the fight is now over. The Rules and Bylaws Committee for the Democratic Primaries has elected to seat the delegates according to the voter results.

4pm

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton wins in Puerto Rico by 23 points and passes Senator Barack Obama in Delegates as 23 Super delegates pledge their support for Senator Clinton.

6pm

Our top story tonight--Democrats gone mad. On capital hill today, some Democrats are furious with the decision of the Rules and Bylaws Committee to allow Florida and Michigan to be counted while others shout back that the two states must be counted. Senator Edward Kennedy called it an "outrage" and demanded another vote on it. Demonstrators have swarmed the streets and thousands have been arrested in 5 major cities including Washington DC, Detroit, Portland, Oregon, Baltimore and Cincinnati.

June 3rd

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has won Montana and the nomination as 32 more Super delegates pledge their support for the Senator . Obama supporters are outraged and have filled the streets in every major city asking for Senator Clinton to step down. Many claim they will ban the elections and others are throwing their support behind Ralph Nader. 11 Senators, including Senator Ted Kennedy, have also threatened to join the Nader Campaign if Senator Clinton continues with the nomination.

July 3rd

Senator Barack Obama has just announced his candidacy in the Green Party as 16 Senators and 82 Congressman throw their support behind Obama. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton a "divider in the Democratic party" and has joined Senator Obama as his running mate. From University Hospital, Senator Ted Kennedy has accused the Clinton's of "destroying the Democratic party" and eradicating all credibility and faith in the party. Pollsters show that John McCain is leading the race with 68% of the vote compared to Clinton's 24%.

September 3rd

We have a race. In today's Gallup Poll of over 2500 voters across the 50 states, Senator Barack Obama has just come from behind, once again, with an estimated 31% of the vote, while Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has 19% and John McCain 33% with 12% undecided. As we head into October, Obama supporters seem optimistic that their candidate will win over the hearts of Senator Clinton supporters and undecided voters.

And Finally, November 2nd.

John McCain is the next President of the United States of America.

See Liz Trotta Call for the Death of Obama Video Here:

http://barackandhillary.blogspot.com/2008/05/fox-news-contributor-liz-trotta-wants.html

Please feel free to write out your own version of this type of scenario.

Florida and Michigan Primary, Florida Delegates, Michigan Delegates, Montana Primary

Fox News Contributor, Liz Trotta, Wants Obama to Die

Watch the full video of Liz Trotta calling Obama, Osama, and then goes on to suggest that (?) should assassinate them both. I put a question mark there because it's not clear as to who Trotta is suggesting kill Obama. She says "well, both, if we could."

To me, "we" would suggest her and her kind. Who is Liz Trotta and what is she all about? Please respond if you know anything about her other than she worked for the Washington Post and is now with Fox News.

It's not just about the slip up, it's also about the facial and body exspressions she places upon us when making the comments. She seems to pause and side play the comment as if whispering to someone on her left (maybe right) as she talks out of the side of her mouth.

Watch the video and let me know what you think.

Liz Trotta Video, Liz Trotta Obama Video

Fox News Analyst Wants To See Obama Assassination

Yesterday, Fox News analyst Liz Trotta joked when asked in an interview with Fox host Eric Shawn about Hillary's Robert F Kennedy controversial remark and called for the assassination of both Osama Bin Laden and Barack Obama.

Trotta who is a former Washington Times editor and three-time Emmy winner clearly wasn't thinking (or was she?) when publicly stating "And now we have what some are reading as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama, uh Obama. Well, both, if we could."

Fox and Trotta came out today and made a public apology after a major uproar occured from Obama supporters.

"Yes, I am so sorry about what happened yesterday and the lame attempt at humor. I feel all over myself, making it appear that I wished Barack Obama harm or any other candidate, for that matter, and I sincerely regret it and apologize to anybody I have offended. It is a very colorful political season, and many of us are making mistakes and saying things we wish we had not said." Said Trotta.

As we head into the end of this primary, one wonders if the slip up of Osama and Obama is just the beginning. Is this the igniting of what is to become? As the republicans gear up for a hard fighting campaign will the new Swift Boaters be a ploy to associate Barack Obama with Muslim Extremists?

There are people out there who believe Obama is not who we believe him to be and no matter how hard we try to convince them--they won't budge. Some believe is has ties to the Muslim faith while others believe his is a Muslim. The best antidote for all of this is campaigning. Obama can inspire and has proven over and over that given enough time--he can win over voters. Shame on Liz Trotta and shame on Fox News.

If you would like to see the video, please click to my main blog here: http://barackandhillary.blogspot.com/

Please feel free to comment on this post.

Liz Trotta, Fox News Analyst, Fox News Jokes About Killing Obama

Clinton Blames Obama For Kennedy Assassination Controversy

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has publicly stated that the Obama camp has taken her statements on the Kennedy assassination out of context and used it for political advantage. Senator Clinton used a reference to Robert F Kennedy's assassination as one reason why she continues to stay in the race in a statement made earlier.

"The Obama campaign ... tried to take these words out of context," Clinton campaign chairman Terence R. McAuliffe said on "Fox News Sunday." "She was making a point merely about the time line."

At one point, Obama did say that he realizes this has been a long campaign and that things are said that shouldn't be said. He then stated he doesn't blame Senator Clinton for her comments or hold her to it. Although it appears Obama is supporting Senator Clinton, Hillary appears to rebuke the idea that she needs to be forgiven and that there is nothing to blame her for. She believes her comments were taken out of context and were not intended to insult anyone.

"If Robert F. Kennedy Jr. doesn't find offense to it, why is it that everybody else should?" McAuliffe said. "They shouldn't. They ought to take Robert F. Kennedy Jr. -- he did not misinterpret it or misjudge it" said McAuliffe.

As the race heats up, Clinton supporters are encouraging her to remain in the race. McAuliffe has stated she may remain in the race past June 3rd. "We are prepared to fight this so that all 50 states are included, that the delegates be seated. Let's have no questions about that. This race is still very close," McAuliffe said.

McAuliffe said Clinton is staying in the race to give hope to the millions of women who have voted for her and "she is winning races." And the campaign chairman made clear that his boss would strongly consider pressing on if the Democratic National Committee does not allow Florida and Michigan delegates to vote at the party's convention this summer -- a decision that would boost Clinton's delegate total. The DNC's rules and bylaws committee is scheduled to meet Saturday to discuss the issue.

As we get ready to wrap up the primary, one has to wonder if we are headed into a legal battle to get Florida and Michigan counted. Senator Clinton seems to be steadfast in her rigourous attempt to win this election. However, if one's argument was this primary has been good for the Democrats--that argument will not stand if this goes past June 3rd.

Please feel free to comment on this post

References taken from http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-talk/2008/05/clinton_camp_stokes_rfk_flap_b.html?hpid=topnews

kennedy assassination, clinton blames obama, florida and michigan primary

Is Barack Obama the Clone of John F Kennedy?

MIDDLETOWN. Conn--Barack Obama sounded a call to public service in the tradition of the Kennedy family as he took the place of Sen. Edward Kennedy today to deliver a commencement address at Wesleyan University.

The speech, given to an audience that included the Massachusetts senator's wife and stepdaughter, who is a graduating senior at Wesleyan, deepened the barrier-breaking presidential candidate's connection to the Kennedy mystique.

Senator Kennedy, who anointed Obama a worthy heir to his brothers John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy early in the presidential campaign, now is diagnosed with a possibly fatal brain tumor and asked Obama to substitute for him at the ceremony.

Obama paid tribute to the Kennedy family, particularly the youngest brother whose place he took on the podium, and seized the opportunity to promote the call to service that has thematically connected his presidential campaign to the spirit of Camelot.

"Our individual salvation depends on collective salvation," Obama told the graduating seniors."Because thinking only about yourself, fulfilling your immediate wants and needs, betrays a poverty of ambition," he continued. "Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential and discover the role you'll play in writing the next great chapter in America's story."

A candidate whose campaign has been animated by his life story as the child of a mixed-race marriage and an Ivy League graduate who chose a first job as a poorly paid community organizer, Obama also offered a biographical link to Edward Kennedy's family.

"I was born the year that his brother called a generation of Americans to ask their country what they could do, and I came of age at a time when they did it," said Obama, who was born in 1961, the year John Kennedy was inaugurated.

The speech, delivered on a picture-perfect day under a clear blue sky, came at a dramatic moment for both the Kennedy family and Obama's presidential campaign. Kennedy's cancer inevitably raises the question of political succession while Obama is on the verge of clinching the Democratic presidential nomination, a turning point in his campaign at which he is again enveloped in the Kennedy legacy.

At the same time, Obama rival Hillary Clinton is trying to move past an awkward and ill-timed remark on Friday that connected her determination to press on with her long-shot presidential campaign to the traumatic June 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.

She cited Robert Kennedy's assassination at a celebration of Kennedy's victory in the California primary as an example of the kind of unforeseen external event that can change the outcome even late in a political campaign, a reference that immediately provoked an uproar and for which she apologized within hours.

Obama's address, which was full of references to members of the Kennedy family, included mention of a Robert Kennedy quote.

"All it takes is one act of service - one blow against injustice - to send forth that tiny ripple of hope that Robert Kennedy spoke of," Obama said.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/05/obama_steps_in_for_kennedy_wit.html

obama & kennedy, ted kennedy, senator kennedy, obama commencment address, wesleyan university

Obama Campaign Outclasses Clintons

This has got to be one of the biggest upsets when you consider where Obama started and how this election is about to end. In the beginning, they said Obama had no chance. Clinton was a clear winner. It was once rumored that Obama considered canceling his run for the Presidency before it even started--what a bad idea that would have been. From the Iowa Caucus to Obama's win in Oregon--this primary is over (although Clinton hangs on tough).

As reporters, bloggers, and analysts talk about why Obama has done so well--they can't ignore how Obama has campaigned. The Clintons have used many strategies, but once they began the attack mode, we saw a lot of politicians, actors, and once friends and Allys of the Clintons start to endorse Obama. For me, the attacks were OK because it ensured me that Hillary was tough, wouldn't back down from a fight, and most of it was legitimate differences that she would point out. However, to others, it was a deliberate attempt to muddy the waters in the Obama camp and downgrade the Obama name. Another thought is these people wanted to endorse Obama, but didn't want to upset the Clintons, and this gave them the excuse they needed. Whatever the reason--they thought Obama to be the better candidate.

As we look at Oregon, Clinton was once up in the polls a year ago. Obama came back strong and simply outclassed the Clintons with passion, wit, and enthusiasm. Oregon is highly educated and has three large universities. Obama simply did a better job appealing to this class of people and organized his camp like no others. The Associated Press goes on to endorse the idea that the Clintons were the clear favorite a year ago, "The band of Obama loyalists who imagined that could happen have stunned even themselves with their success against Hillary Rodham Clinton, who appeared to have wrapped up the nomination last year, before any votes were cast."

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iYXS7gLdbJi5wlOJIrk29wsNRSoAD90S3K980.

This election is over and unless Obama is truly a closet Muslim (laugh here) or has multiple wives in Texas with 43 children--we can start thinking about how to beat John McCain.

Please feel free to express your ideas and opinions on this matter.

Obama Campaign, Obama For President

Over 75,000 Come To See Obama In Portland, Oregon

The Washington Post Reports

Sen. Barack Obama has seen his share of large crowds over the last 15 months, but his campaign said they have not approached the numbers gathered along the waterfront here right now.

The campaign, citing figures from Duane Bray, battalion chief of Portland Fire & Rescue, estimated that 75,000 people are watching him speak.

The scene suggests this is not an exaggeration. The sea of heads stretches for half a mile along the grassy embankment, while others watch from kayaks and power boats bobbing on the Willamette River. More hug the rails of the steel bridge that stretches across the water and crowds are even watching from jetties on the opposite shore.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/18/obama-draws-record-crowd_n_102337.html

Obama in Portland, Obama in Oregon, Obama Crowd