OBAMA DAILY NEWS THREAD Wed. Feb-27-08

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

WELCOME TO THE OBAMA DAILY NEWS THREAD

Wednesday Feb-27-08



Esteemed DUer's, please consider taking a moment (or more)
to graciously participate by posting news and announcements about
the Obama campaign on this thread.


If you can:

1. Post stories and announcements you find on the web.



2. Re-post stories and announcements you find on DU,
providing a link to the original thread with thanks to the Original Poster,too.



3. Start a discussion thread by re-posting a story you see on this thread.


4. Please "Recommend" for the Greatest Page (it's the link just below).



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[babylonsister]

1. ACTION: Tell AP Papers to Stop Smearing Obama’s Patriotism

http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/25/action-tell-ap-papers-to-stop-smearing-obamas-patriotism/

ACTION: Tell AP Papers to Stop Smearing Obama’s Patriotism
By: Jane Hamsher

t was pretty much world-record speed with which the smears against Barack Obama's patriotism alley-ooped from the right wing attack machine into the pages of legitimate media, neatly laundered into the AP by Nedra Pickler. It then quickly leapfrogged onto CNN where a poll inquired as to whether Obama had sufficient patriotism to be president.

It's incredible that a news source which purports to be legitimate would embrace and perpetuate this kind of stuff; common sense dictates that it should stay where it was birthed, in the right wing sewer. Nevertheless, we're in a rather fluid time, when the boundaries are being established about what is going to be regarded as acceptable for the rest of the race, so it's time to come down hard and set the limits. What Pickler did is out of bounds.

Aravosis:

AP knows damn well that Obama doesn't hate America. This isn't a he-said-she-said. It's a case where AP is genuflecting to the Republicans and regurgitating their crap in a way Pickler and her fellow reporters wouldn't dare do if the victim were Republican.

As Glenn Greenwald notes, Obama's response was superb, but the fact remains that he should not be subject to these kinds of open smears in the first think.

The AP probably doesn't care a whole lot about what you think, but it does care what the papers who subscribe to their wire service think. So we've set up a page where you can plug in your zip code and automatically send an email to the papers in your area who syndicate the AP and let them know this is beneath what you expect their coverage to be -- for this election cycle and beyond.

Especially if you live in some state that's less likely to get a lot of attention like New York or California, please take time to send an email. We want to blanket the country as broadly as possible and let every paper know that this kind of journalism is unacceptable -- and that you're watching.

Send a letter here:
http://action.firedoglake.com/page/speakout/pickler

And Hekebolos has a diary up at DailyKos about this action, so if you're a Kossak please go over and hit "recommend."

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

2. No Hail Mary for Hillary

No Hail Mary for Hillary | Salon News

The final Democratic debate produces no miracles for the grouchy former front-runner. Yes, those MSNBC moderators did seem to like Obama better, but even when she's right she sounds wrong.

By Mike Madden

Feb. 27, 2008 | All the gripes from Hillary Clinton's campaign about press coverage seemed to be completely, definitively validated midway through Tuesday night's debate -- at the instant when Brian Williams, intending to throw Barack Obama a hardball, instead accidentally cued up a tape of Clinton mocking him, and then asked Obama, "How were her comments about you unfair?"

The moment actually did seem to have come right out of the "Saturday Night Live" skit that ripped the moderators of last week's Democratic debate -- and everyone in the press -- for being overly, and overtly, pro-Obama. And if Clinton was as good at the human elements of politics -- the, well, likability stuff -- as she is at the policy end, she could have used yet another debate where the deck seemed stacked against her to win some serious sympathy from voters in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont, a week before the primaries that could end her campaign if they don't go her way.

But it was not to be. Clinton had, in fact, already complained about the moderators long before Williams handed Obama that gimme. And she did it so clumsily that it actually evoked boos from the crowd, audible even on MSNBC's feed. "Could I just point out that, in the last several debates, I seem to get the first question all the time?" she said, after a 15-minute exchange on healthcare where she mostly did well. "And I don't mind. You know, I'll be happy to field them, but I do find it curious. And if anybody saw 'Saturday Night Live,' you know, maybe we should ask Barack if he's comfortable and needs another pillow." By jumping the gun, and actually spelling out the "SNL" angle, Clinton managed to bring herself down from a beleaguered victim to a whiny grouch.

The debate was full of twists like that; at one point, Clinton appeared to whiff on a question about the soon-to-be president of Russia, answering -- correctly -- that his name is Medvedev, but so hesitantly, after a couple paragraphs of rambling about him, that it sounded like she got it wrong. As she has often been in this presidential campaign, she was her own worst enemy, when she needed, instead, to be perfect (and a few Obama mistakes wouldn't have hurt, either). It was the entire campaign encapsulated in a single debate -- the last one scheduled until the fall, if Clinton doesn't turn things around.

...It was on Iraq where their positions seemed most distinct. Fittingly, it was Clinton who underlined the distinction, reminding Democratic voters of one of the least popular lines on her résumé. After spending the entire campaign trying to escape the wrath of antiwar activists who can't forgive her 2002 vote to authorize the invasion of Iraq, Clinton steered the debate right back there at the very end, even though Obama had already slammed her for the vote earlier in the night. ("Once we had driven the bus into the ditch, there were only so many ways we could get out," he said, responding to her claim they had similar voting records on the war since he showed up in the Senate three years ago. "The question is: Who's making the decision initially to drive the bus into the ditch?")

....

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

3. Why the War on Obama (powerful lobbies feel diminished)

Obama's widespread support from individual voters worries the big lobbying groups - they
worry that their influence is diminished.

Why the War on Obama

Powerful lobbies – from AIPAC to representatives of military and other industries – are recognizing the value of keeping their dominance over campaign cash from getting diluted by Obama’s deep reservoir of small donors, says Robert Parry.

While some cynics still view Barack Obama’s appeal for “change” as empty rhetoric, it’s starting to dawn on Washington insiders that his ability to raise vast sums of money from nearly one million mostly small donors could shake the grip that special-interest money has long held over the US government.

This spreading realization that Obama’s political movement might represent a more revolutionary change than previously understood is sparking a deepening resistance among defenders of the status quo – and prompting harsher attacks on Obama.

Right now, the front line for the Washington Establishment is Hillary Clinton’s struggling presidential campaign, which has been stunned by Obama’s political skills as well as his extraordinary ability to raise money over the Internet. Obama’s grassroots donations have negated Clinton’s prodigious fundraising advantage with big donors.

...

Could NAFTA have passed in an environment where citizens' voices mean more than lobbyists?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

4. Obama tells Clinton: I don't whine

Obama tells Clinton: I don't whine

By: BEN SMITH | 02/27/2008 01:04 AM
Clinton lets loose her disdain for Obama's record and her frustration at media's coverage of the contest.

Hillary Clinton as the inevitable Democratic nominee didn’t work.
Hillary Clinton as the front-runner didn’t work.
So how about Hillary Clinton as the victim?
That was her theme at the Democratic debate with Barack Obama in Cleveland Tuesday night.

She complained that she always got the first question.
She complained that she wasn’t getting enough time to discuss health care (a discussion that had gone on for 16 minutes, which is several lifetimes in terms of a televised debate).

And, then, demonstrating how presidential campaigns can repeat their mistakes rather than learn from them, she said: “If anybody saw ‘Saturday Night Live,’ maybe we should ask Barack if he’s comfortable and needs another pillow.”

The audience mumbled at this scripted and snarky line, just as an audience booed her in the last debate when she accused Obama of wanting “change you can Xerox.”

...

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

5. Congressional hopefuls ride the Obama wave

Congressional hopefuls ride the Obama wave

By: JOSH KRAUSHAAR | 02/27/2008 05:55 AM
Dems in unlikely places looking forward to running on ticket with Barack Obama's name on top line.

Democrats in conservative-minded congressional districts have a familiar quadrennial drill: Run as far away from the party’s presidential nominee as possible.
This year, though, there is reason to believe that practice might change. After witnessing the enthusiasm generated by Barack Obama’s historic candidacy, Democrats in some of the unlikeliest places are looking forward to running on a ticket with his name on the top line..

Bright’s campaign recently released a polling memo suggesting that a huge show of support from the African-American community could “add 3 to 5 points” to his margins against leading Republican opponents.

The Obama effect does not appear to be strictly an African-American phenomenon. It also appears to be affecting largely white, affluent, suburban congressional battlegrounds, many of which have turned out to be Obama strongholds.

...Obama’s ability to boost Democratic turnout in his home state of Illinois is already evident — roughly 800,000 more Democratic votes were cast in the 2008 presidential primary than in 2004. Illinois is one of the key House battlegrounds in 2008, with both parties closely eyeing five of the state’s 19 seats as possible pickup opportunities.

...

[Alter Ego]

6. Don't know if anyone realized it, but...

Obama hit the 1,000,000 mark this morning!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

7. Huffington Post: Ohio Debate Highlights (excellent overview)

Ohio Debate Highlights:

Farrakhan, “Bombing Pakistan,” NAFTA Mailers, SNL Skit

Huffington Post provides a broad overview of the Ohio debates, cites highlights from ABC, NBC, Daily Kos, Time, MyDD,
Clinton backer Ted Strickland, The Jerusalem Post, Talking Points Memo, The Caucus, Washington Post, New York Magazine,
The Columbus Dispatch, Politico and more

too much to post, see the link for the full article.

[grantcart]

8. Four threads you may want to check out and help kick

1) Changes in the Superdelegates will be posted here: (check replies to see updates)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4783480&mesg_id=4783480

Summary:
Since Friday Obama has picked up nine and Clinton one (that one was one that had been committed earlier but only recently counted)


2) Details of the Texas coup de grace and Clinton political malpractice
Gives details on why Texas is a delegate rich state for Obama and that Clinton and their people knew this and that they had little chance of picking up any net delegates in March can be found here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4782802&mesg_id=4782802

Summary:
Because Texas accounts for almost half of the delegates in March, she has no chance of significantly improving her delegate count this month.Sen. Clinton, President Clinton and all of the other paid consultants know all of this and are guilty of campaign malpractice

Rather than settling out of court we have to wait for another jury. Just like any other civil action don't be surprised if the jury on Mar 4th brings in damages that will have a devestating effect on the Clintons. They could have settled some time ago for pennies.

After Wisconsin this stopped being about Obama winning. it is now simply about packing up the circus with as little damage as possible. The ball is in Clinton's court and how much damage they are willing to inflict on his legacy, her future and our party.


3) You can find an update of local media on what is happening in Texas here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4792099&mesg_id=4792099

Summary
1) Multiple Polls show Clinton losing ground Obama winning Texas
2) Michelle Stumps in Galveston
3) African-American Districts have extra delegate power
4) Heavy Turnout Helping Obama- Corpus Christi
5) Heavy Turnout From Obama supporters Dallas
6 )Heavy Democratic Voting in El Paso
7) Delegate Distribution Heavily Favors Obama: Caucuses could be Chaotic

4) If you have miles or points for either airplanes/motel/cars please go here to donate them for Texas for Obama.:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4751621

They are still trying to bring in special volunteers, for example Hispanic reserve officer to work around military bases.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

9. Changes in Super Delegates, Texas coup de grace and Clinton political malpractice

thanks for links!

[grantcart]

29. Adding DNC Steven Powell (IL)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elaine-hopkins/il-superdelegate-predicts_b_88607.html

[grantcart]

47. Adding Stevens (ME) and Thompson (TX) for Obama

Thompson was previously committed to Clinton

[Hope And Change]

10. Heads Up: Sen. Obama Campaign Rally At Ohio State Univ.

You can watch it here now!


http://streamdata.dispatchbroadcast.com/10TVSpecial.asx

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

11. Number of Obama Donors: 1, 001,831 people

1,001,831 people have donated to the Obama campaign as of Feb 28, 2008

We did it! One million people and counting...
By Sam Graham-Felsen - Feb 27th, 2008

We have officially passed our goal of one million donors -- a remarkable achievement that no one ever thought would be possible.

Nothing can slow down this movement... Congratulations everybody.

Now let's keep this thing going and continue to show the country, and the world, what we're capable of achieving. We've made our voices heard loud and clear -- our time has come.

[Hope And Change]

12. Belo Tracking Poll: Too Close to Call in Texas

Belo Tracking Poll: Too Close to Call in Texas


February 27, 2008

From the new http://www.khou.com/elections/poll/belopoll.pdf">Belo Texas Tracking Poll:"One week out from the Texas Democratic presidential primary the race is a statistical dead heat with Hillary Clinton leading Barack Obama by a slim 46% to 43% margin. Given the complex proportional delegate allocation system in Texas, this tight race suggests that it is unlikely for either of the candidates to run away with a lion’s share of the delegates next Tuesday, which has to be bad news for the Clinton campaign as anything short of a decisive victory in the popular vote will not translate into the delegates she badly needs to catch up with Obama."

This tracking poll will be updated daily through next week's primary.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/02/27/belo_tracking_poll_too_close_to_call_in_texas.html">Link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

13. Clinton Camp Presses Super Delegates Not To Take Sides (Flip Flops)

Clinton campaign flip flops on Super Delegates

Clinton Camp Presses Super Delegates Not To Take Sides February 27, 2008 Tom Edsall, Huffington Post

For weeks, the Barack Obama campaign has warned that Hillary Clinton would try to use her ties to the Democratic establishment to muscle 'super delegates' into backing her presidential bid, overriding a popular vote majority and Obama's plurality of pledged delegates elected in primaries and caucuses.

Now, however, as Obama has gained steadily in the polls, the Clinton campaign has reversed field. Top Clinton aides are pleading with uncommitted super delegates to hold off making any commitments, fearful that any commitments they make would be to back Obama, not Clinton.

A set of talking points emailed to Clinton supporters within organized labor describes the arguments to use on uncommitted super delegates. In the email, the Clinton campaign suggests telling the uncommitted delegates that "it would be unfair and unjust to cut off the nominating process now. There might come a time when the process needs to come to a close, but that time is not now."

...Clinton and her aides, three weeks ago, were, in turn, adamant in defending their efforts to persuade super delegates to endorse the New York Senator.

....

[Hope And Change]

14. Dodd Headed To Texas For Obama

Dodd Headed To Texas For Obama


Senator Taking Active Role In Campaign After Endorsing Democratic Candidate

By JESSE A. HAMILTON, Washington Bureau Chief

February 27, 2008

WASHINGTON — — Sen. Christopher Dodd, the newest Obama campaigner and the first former Democratic presidential candidate to choose a side in the race, is Texas-bound this weekend, trying to persuade that major March 4 primary state to follow his lead.

In a Cleveland press conference Tuesday amid Sen. Barack Obama's push to win Ohio voters, the Connecticut senator announced his choice. Later, he said his endorsement decision came down to the question: "How do you justify sitting in the bleachers at a critical moment like this?"

Hours after his announcement, he was back in Washington for some Senate action on housing. But Dodd, who served with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic, has been asked by the campaign to use his Spanish-speaking skills to reach the corners of Texas Obama can't get to.

Dodd said he'll try to help the campaign as much as possible through the remaining months, but he added: "Obviously, I've got work here, and that's the priority."

more...

http://fox61.trb.com/news/local/hc-dodd0227.artfeb27,0,890950.story

[Hope And Change]

15. Ohio Poll: Obama would beat McCain if election held today

Ohio Poll: Obama would beat McCain if election held today


Kim Wendel

Created: 2/27/2008 9:55:55 AM
Updated:2/27/2008 9:59:33 AM

CINCINNATI -- If the latest University of Cincinnati Ohio Poll released Wednesday morning gives an indication of the fall presidential race, Ohio may once again witness a tight battle for the state's 20 electoral votes.

In a poll conducted Feb. 21 to Feb. 24, Democratic Senator Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain run virtually even among registered voters in this hypothetical match-up, with Obama getting 48 percent of the vote and McCain getting 47 percent.

Five percent said they were undecided.

In a match-up between McCain and Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton, McCain has 51 percent and Clinton has 47 percent.

In that race, two percent are undecided.

The polls were conducted before Tuesday night's debate between Obama and Clinton.

http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=84083

[my2sense]

16. Obama Campaign Office Vandalized

Looks like the haters are coming out of the woodworks. A campaign office was vandalized with spray paint in a Longview, Texas. Perpetrators wrote "A Racist" on vans and on the outside of a building being used as a phone bank and where Samuel L. Jackson had spoken in support of Obama a few hours earlier.

http://clipsyndicate.com/publish/video/526752?wpid=1904

Posted at GDP here
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4795798&mesg_id=4795798

[Hope And Change]

17. George Lopez to stump for Obama in McAllen

George Lopez to stump for Obama in McAllen


Event set for Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at South Texas College


February 27, 2008 - 8:41AM

McALLEN - Comedian George Lopez is set to stump for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Thursday morning at South Texas College.

The event will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday and is expected to last an hour.

Check back to www.themonitor.com for more details as they become available.

http://www.themonitor.com/articles/lopez_9405___article.html/mcallen_stump.html

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

18. TPM: Russert's Lowest Moment (and that's saying a lot)][/

Russert's Lowest Moment (and that's saying a lot)

Talking Points Memo --Josh Marshall 02.26.08

I discussed this in the live debate blog. But I think it's worth going back and watching Russert's run of shame here.
I would say it was borderline to bring up the issue of Farrakhan at all. But perhaps since it's getting some media play
you bring it up just for the record, for Obama to address.

That's not what Russert did. He launches into it, gets into a parsing issue over word choices, then tries to find reasons
to read into the record some of Farrakhan's vilest quotes after Obama has just said he denounces all of them.
Then he launches into a bizarre series of logical fallacies that had Obama needing to assure Jews that he didn't believe
that Farrakhan "epitomizes greatness".

As a Jew and perhaps more importantly simply as a sentient being I found it disgusting.
It was a nationwide, televised, MSM version of one of those noxious Obama smear emails.

...

[grantcart]

19. ICE CREAM FOR EVERYONE

As far as I know first polling for Vermont - 3x landslide for Obama

[Hope And Change]

20. Gen. George Casey Backs Barack Obama

Casey Backs Barack


By Noah Shachtman February 27, 2008 | 9:49:09

A follow-up. The other day, we mentioned that Sen. Barack Obama was the only one of the three leading Presidential candidates to back Gen. George Casey for Army Chief of Staff. Now, Gen. Casey appears to have returned the favor.

Gen. George Casey, the Army's chief of staff, said Tuesday he has no reason to doubt Barack Obama's recent account by an Army captain that a rifle platoon in Afghanistan didn't have enough soldiers or weapons. But he questioned the assertion that the shortages prevented the troops from doing their job.

Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Casey said the incident would have occurred in 2003 and 2004 following the Iraq invasion. He said he remembers it as a "difficult time" trying to rush armor and other equipment to the troops.

"I have no reason to doubt what it is the captain said," Casey said. "This was 2003 and 2004, almost four and a half years ago. We acknowledge and all worked together to correct the deficiencies that we saw in that period, not only in Afghanistan but in Iraq. It was a period that we worked our way through."

Last week, Pentagon flack Bryan Whitman publicly doubted Obama's anecdote. Then ABC (among others) confirmed it.

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/02/casey-backs-bar.html

[Unsane]

22. WOW

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

21. TPM Video: "When Russerts Attack"

Video TPMtv: When Russerts Attack

The standout performance of last night was Tim Russert's repeated tirades at the candidates for not answering his clownish questions.
So we thought we'd string all of Tim's gonzo moments into one tight reel.
Let's all repeat together,
"I'm rough enough, I'm tough enough, and doggone it, people like me!"

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

23. A view from across the pond

A view from across the pond

Where Obama really shines for me, is his outspoken stance on acting according to laws and your constitution - and just as importantly according to right and wrong. I find nothing in his history that makes that empty promises.

And he seems supremely positioned as a redeemer of the US in the eyes of the world (sounds worse than it is - but Bush was just voted nr 1 most dangerous person in the world according to europeans - twice in a row). His multicultural background, and to be honest the color of his skin, will go a long way in immediately chaning the world opinion. But first and foremost I trust him to make really great, well thought out and long term changes to the US foreign policies. If he manages to actually surprise someone here and be the real thing; Intelligent, deliberate, able to make changes and be more of a mediator in world politics than a sledgehammer he will be received as a hero when he comes to Europe.

more at the link

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

24. Why only 2 votes to recommend?

a little help please?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

25. Oh Health Care Debate, how stupid are ye?

Hint: neither candidate is proposing universal health care. They are both talking about insurance plans. One requires you purchase, another doesn't. Congress will have to do the work. We have a long way to go to get there.

Oh Health Care Debate, how stupid are ye?

TPM Cafe Blog - February 26, 2008, 3:40PM

As a resident Alien from a land with universal health care, I would be amused by the ongoing health care debate if it weren’t so sad.

First things first. Neither Clinton or Obama is talking about Universal Health Care. Instead I guess they are both talking about universal ACCESS to health care. A noble goal, but certainly not the same.

They both have serious problems with their arguments. The crux of the Clinton plan is that it will mandate everyone (who does not qualify for free health care) to buy affordable health care. What’s wrong with that? Nothing really, except Clinton calls Health Care a right.
How many rights are people forced to buy? Imagine, “You have the right to pursue happiness, but we’re going to decide how much you have to pay per year to pursue it.” It doesn’t work. That’s why her plan isn’t universal. The other reason it’s not universal and the reason that her oft used comparison to Social Security is problematic is that it doesn’t affect everyone. Something like Social security works because it is the same for every citizen. Just as universal health care in many countries is the same for every citizen. These government programs work when there is buy in from everyone, not just those who need it.

That is not to say Obama’s plan is so great. He gets around the problem of forcing people to buy it and being the resident alien that I am, it seems that is something that will be far more agreeable with most Americans. But again, calling it universal is plain silly. Cheaper health care is good, but the free rider problems and the fact that some people just won’t buy it is problematic. The other thing that is problematic is his argument for his plan and against hers. Obama’s premise is that people who don’t have health care don’t have it because they can’t afford it, not because they don’t want it. Then he sends out a mailer saying her plan will force you to buy health care even if you can’t afford it. Well clearly her plan is meant to make it affordable just as his is, so that people won’t be forced into it, since as he argues they will buy it once it’s cheaper.

....

[snooper2]

26. bump!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

27. Hillary's problem: she's a fighter

And the talking heads/pundits have goaded her into this.

Hillary's problem: she's a fighter

Posted by clearthinker at TPM Cafe - February 26, 2008

If there is one word for Obama's campaign, it's "change".
If there is one word for HRC's campaign, it's "fighter".

I believe she is a fighter. That's the problem. When you are a fighter, it means you are going into everything as a crisis and battle. That does not inherently bring people together.

We saw this as an issue with her in the 90's and health care reform. It simply gets everyone to dig in. And then you can't bring them together.

I no longer believe her "hawkishness" in the Senate was an attempt to look tough to GOP folks for a general election. After watching her over several debates, I think she really latches into this mode of behavior. In some sense, it was like Nixon always being paranoid and finding it justified.

We've seen it in this campaign over and over again. For all her protests about others setting the tone in debates or the campaign, she is the one that continually releases the side-show incendiary issues and aggressively jumps into a debate -- even when the question isn't directed at her!

Obama's style is so diametrically opposed to hers (his is calm, relaxed - though not passive) that she simply doesn't know how to respond. Hence her continued flailing for ways to run her campaign.

[grantcart]

28. Texas polls continue to show Obama leadig Clinton

[1776Forever]

30. Obama's million - February 27, 2008 - Obama campaign crossed the one-million-donor threshold today

Obama's million
Posted: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:16 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Obama
From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan
The Obama campaign crossed the one-million-donor threshold today. The ticker on their Web site reads: 1,002,842 people.

At last night's debate Obama said that 90 percent of his money is raised online in small-dollar donations, an average of $109. Aides have said that the campaign barely needs to work the phones, making fundraising calls anymore. Most of the work is done online.

Speculation on the Internet is that the campaign may have raised as much as $50 million in February alone. Staffers smile smugly when you ask about numbers, but have been tight lipped about when they will announce their February figures and how much it might be.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/27/709194.aspx

*****************
:toast: :party: :toast:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

31. Obama's Farrakhan Dilemma

Why should Obama "denounce" or "reject" anyone that is a law abiding citizen of the United States?
Is Obama running for President of the United States, meaning all of us, or just President of Certain People? Obama is not responsible for Farrakhan's statements nor has he encouraged any.
This was an idiotic question and request by the MSM talking pointie heads.

Obama's Farrakhan Dilemma

Earl Ofari Hutchinson February 27, 2008 Huffington Post

Here's what a spokesperson for Democratic Presidential contender Barack Obama said when he got wind of former Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan's virtual endorsement of Obama's White House bid: "Senator Obama has been clear in his objections to Minister Farrakhan's past pronouncements and has not solicited the minister's support." Farrakhan made the glowing tout of Obama at the NOI's annual Savior's Day confab in Chicago. Obama's denunciation of Farrakhan was blunt and pointed. But he did not reject Farrakhan's implied endorsement.

Even after Hillary Clinton publicly demanded that he forcefully reject Farrakhan's endorsement, Obama waffled. He weakly said after more Clinton cajoling that he rejected the endorsement. He still did not mention Farrakhan by name. A candidate shouldn't need to be prodded by his opponent to emphatically reject the endorsement of a controversial, and in the case of Farrakhan, much vilified figure. Obama, of course, does not endorse Farrakhan's views, politics, or his organization, and he has made that clear on more than one occasion.

Yet his failure to flatly say he does not want his endorsement is no surprise. Farrakhan may be a controversial and much vilified figure but he is not a fringe figure within black communities. He is still cheered and admired by thousands of blacks. They are also voters too and most have embraced Obama with almost messianic zeal. This zeal has been a driving force in powering Obama's surge past Clinton. Many blacks are exhilarated by the prospect that a black man will sit in the Oval office. In other words, Obama is a racial fantasy come true for many blacks.

...more at the link

[thevoiceofreason]

32. Lewis switches to Obama

Dorgan endorses Obama

Lewis:

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/15426208/detail.html

Dorgan:

http://thepage.time.com/2008/02/27/major-congressional-endorsement-going-to-obama/

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

41. that was painful, he said it was harder than that civil rights march

But his state voted for Obama.

Any super delegate who "committed" other than what their voters indicated will have trouble.

[grantcart]

33. starting to add up

[grantcart]

34. Lots of SD changes

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4783480&mesg_id=4783480

[grantcart]

35. kick

[TheDoorbellRang]

36. K&R

Thanks for the compilation

[Hope And Change]

37. Commentary: Clinton at risk of losing Latino vote

Commentary: Clinton at risk of losing Latino vote


By Ruben Navarrette Jr.
Special to CNN

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- If Hillary Clinton loses the Democratic nomination for president, she might be able to trace her troubles back to when she lost her grip on the Latino vote.

Bill Clinton called it. The ex-president may have doomed his wife's candidacy with his meddling but he was right about one thing: Several weeks ago, he told Spanish-language radio host Eddie "El Piolin" Sotelo that Latinos would "determine the nominee of the Democratic Party and the next president of the United States."

So they might. Just not in the way that the former president imagined.

When he made his prediction, Hillary Clinton was leading Barack Obama among Latinos by a 2-1 margin. No mas.

A recent Gallup survey found Obama in a slight, but not statistically significant, lead over Clinton among Latinos. Obama-mania has gone multicultural. And it's about time.

more...

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/02/27/navarette.opinion/index.html

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

38. Rove: Don't "Hussein" Obama (New GOP strategy - do it then denounce it)

Is the GOP strategy for the Roves and McCains to publicly oppose Rove tactics
while the underlings deploy them?

Rove: Don't "Hussein" Obama

27 Feb 2008 08:40 am

No less an authority figure than Karl Rove has warned Republican operatives from demagoguing Barack Obama's middle name.

At a closed door meeting of GOP state executive directors in late January, Rove said the safest way to refer to Obama would be to use his honorific, "Sen. Obama."
"The context was, you're not going to stimatize this guy. You shouldn't underestimate him," one of the executive directors said. Rove said that the use of "Barack Hussein Obama" would perpetuate the notion that Republicans were bigoted and would hurt the party.

Rove also said that Republicans should refer to Hillary Clinton as "Sen. Clinton," rather than "Hillary."

Right wing figures are set to ignore Rove's advice. Rush Limbaugh used Obama's middle name more than a year ago, and Ann Coulter regularly uses the middle name, once calling him "President Hussein." So does Michael Savage, who once asked whether Obama was a "so-called friendly Muslim" or one more "radical."

BS alert - Never underestimate Rove. This is the perfect way for the GOP to attack Dems,
by first doing it, while muckity mucks "denounce" it.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

39. McCain Mocks Obama's Iraq Comments

Obama handles it well.

McCain Mocks Obama's Iraq Comments

February 27, 2008 Libby Quaid, Huffington Post

TYLER, Texas — Republican presidential hopeful John McCain mocked Democrat Barack Obama on Wednesday for saying he would take action as president "if al-Qaida is forming a base in Iraq."

"When you examine that statement, it's pretty remarkable," McCain told a crowd in Tyler, Texas.

"I have some news. Al-Qaida is in Iraq. It's called `al-Qaida in Iraq,'" McCain said, drawing laughter at Obama's expense.

Obama quickly answered back, telling a rally at Ohio State University in Columbus, "I do know that al-Qaida is in Iraq."

"So I have some news for John McCain," he added, saying there was no al-Qaida presence in Iraq until President Bush invaded the country

...

[Hope And Change]

40. Obama due to make yet another appearance on “60 Minutes.”

If It’s Sunday…


Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Obama due to make yet another appearance on “60 Minutes.”


http://thepage.time.com/2008/02/27/if-its-sunday-2/

[Hope And Change]

42. Maine Superdelegate Backs Obama

Maine Superdelegate Backs Obama


By Sam Graham-Felsen - Feb 27th, 2008 at 4:25 pm EST

CHICAGO, IL – Today, Maine Democratic Party Vice Chair, Democratic National Committee Member and Maine Superdelegate Marianne Stevens endorsed Obama, citing his ability to bring new people into the political process, his willingness to stand up to special interests, and his ability to bring change we can believe in.

Marianne Stevens said, “After considerable thought I am proud to give my support and endorsement to Senator Barack Obama. He has won eleven straight contests since February 5, including the Maine caucuses. His success and the overwhelming number of voters who have chosen change helped me make this decision. He's run a smart and exciting campaign and he will bring us to victory in November.

“I was in High School and a volunteer in a Democratic campaign office when I met Bobby Kennedy. He gave us all hope in very troubling times. Barack Obama gives me the same sense of hope for our future. The numbers of new voter registrations and the enthusiasm of younger voters to stand for Obama at our caucuses was very encouraging as well and speaks well for his chances in the general election.”

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGgx9m

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

43. Obama Overtakes Clinton, Tied With McCain, Poll Says (Update3)

Obama Overtakes Clinton, Tied With McCain, Poll Says (Update3)

By Heidi Przybyla

Feb. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Barack Obama moved ahead of Hillary Clinton in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, and is in a dead heat in a general-election fight against Republican John McCain, who enjoys an advantage on national- security issues

A Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times survey shows Obama is preferred by Democratic primary voters 48 percent to 42 percent, the first time he has overtaken Clinton in a Bloomberg/Times poll. In a general-election match-up among registered voters, McCain is 2 points ahead of Obama, within the margin of error; he beats Clinton by 6 points.

McCain runs ahead of Obama on every issue except health care. The Arizona senator has a 13-point advantage on Iraq and a 37- point lead on terrorism. He also does better on managing the economy. One area where Obama has a clear edge is on the question of who would bring the most change in Washington; the Illinois senator has an almost 3-to-1 lead.

``Obama has moved decisively ahead of Clinton, but as a general-election candidate he has a tougher road to travel in a campaign against John McCain,'' says Susan Pinkus, the Los Angeles Times polling director. McCain is seen as having the right experience and is ``the person people think could be the strongest leader.''

more at the link
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aJ2.0k269dY0&refer=home

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

44. Obama back in Texas this week San Marcos, Fort Worth and San Antonio

Obama back in Texas this week San Marcos, Fort Worth and San Antonio

Wednesday, February 27
SAN MARCOS STAND FOR CHANGE RALLY
Wednesday evening, details TBA
This event is free and open to the public.
Go to texas.barackobama.com to RSVP and receive updates.


Thursday, February 28
FORT WORTH STAND FOR CHANGE RALLY
Thursday evening, details TBA
This event is free and open to the public.
Go to texas.barackobama.com to RSVP and receive updates.


Friday, February 29
SAN ANTONIO STAND FOR CHANGE RALLY
Friday evening, details TBA
This event is free and open to the public.
Go to texas.barackobama.com to RSVP and receive updates.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

45. Leon Panetta (long time insider) weighs in on Clinton campaign...

Leon Panetta weighs in on Clinton campaign...

One Million Strong 27 Feb 2008

Leon Panetta is the kind of long-time Clinton insider now openly voicing their dissatisfaction to the press. In a lengthy, on-record interview with the New York Observer, Panetta, former White House chief of staff for Bill Clinton from 1994-1997, sounded resigned to Obama winning the nomination, whom he compliments, and laid the blame for Clinton's failure on pollster Mark Penn and (now ex-) campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle.

Panetta blamed Mark Penn for the Clinton campaign's strategy of inevitability --- they spent months releasing national polling memos about the campaign's inevitability to intimidate rivals, donors, and potential endorsers --- and of focusing on insider experience in Washington rather than change.

I would go farther. Penn dismissed signs of surging youth interest and turnout in Iowa. He mapped out a disastrous strategy of ignoring smaller states and going for broke in places like California and Massachusetts.


I'm somewhat less convinced by the criticisms of Patti Solis Doyle, who he describes as a loyalist without political campaign experience --- in other words, as a Michael Brown or Harriet Myers who wasn't prepared for the position. It's not clear to me that Doyle is responsible for the kind of fundamental strategic mistakes that have characterized the Clinton campaign.

more at the link

[NC_Nurse]

46. Kick.

:kick: