Barack Obama's BIG IOWA WIN; On To New Hampshire

I just returned from Tosca in San Francisco and the home of a rousing Barack Obama party. Senator Obama gave the best speech I've ever heard him give in this campaign and that's saying a lot. We all agreed that because the nation was watching him, he had the chance to hit it -- nail it -- out of the park and he did. It was one of those "Where were you when?" moments.

Here's the speech:



Wild.

I'm not at all surprised we won; I would have been had we lost. I've done almost a year of volunteer work and I can tell you that Barack reminds you of high school, where you voted for the most popular person and his or her skin color was not an issue. That's the real beauty of America. It's been lost in the minds of people, until now.

At Tosca, people started chanting "USA. USA" as Barack was speaking. I was one of them. I've never been so proud of being in America and being an American citizen.

More on this awesome development, soon.

Dennis Kucinich Tells Iowa Supporters To Back Barack Obama - MSNBC

If Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich does not reach the 15 percent support threshold in the Iowa Caucuses, he's instructed his supporters to back Barack Obama in Iowa, according to MSNBC.

"This is obviously an 'Iowa-only' recommendation, as Sen. Obama and I are competing in the New Hampshire primary next Tuesday where I want to be the first choice of New Hampshire voters," Kucinich said in a statement."

"I hope Iowans will caucus for me as their first choice this Thursday, because of my singular positions on the war, on health care, and trade. This is an opportunity for people to stand up for themselves. But in those caucus locations where my support doesn't reach the necessary threshold, I strongly encourage all of my supporters to make Barack Obama their second choice. Sen. Obama and I have one thing in common: Change."

All I can say is this is a major development in the campaign and swings the momentum toward the already surging Obama.

Ted Strickland - Clinton Backer Slams Iowa Caucuses As Undemocratic - DispatchPolitics.com

Senator Clinton seems to have a habit of attracting political supporters who can't seem to say the right thing, or more to the point, they say the wrong thing at the wrong time. It's three days until the Iowa Caucuses, yet Ohio Governor Ted Strickland can't help but slam the Iowa Caucus process as undemocratic. Like his comments are going to make them so? Read the rest below!

Strickland, stumping for Clinton, gets a chilly reception in Iowa
Sunday, December 30, 2007 11:12 PM
By Joe Hallett
The Columbus Dispatch


DES MOINES —Gov. Ted Strickland's viewpoint that Iowa is the wrong place to begin the presidential nominating process caused some angst today in the campaign of Hillary Clinton and drew the ire of some voters here.
Despite saying that Iowa does not deserve its first-in-the-nation status, Strickland has made three trips to the state on behalf of the Democratic New York senator, showing up again Saturday, with no advance notice, to join Clinton for several campaign rallies in eastern Iowa.

As governor of arguably the most important battleground state in the 2008 general election, Strickland's mission was to assure audiences that Clinton can win Ohio and help ease fears by some Democrats about the senator's electability.

In an interview with The Dispatch last week, Strickland said the Iowa caucuses make "no sense." He called the GOP and Democratic caucuses "hugely undemocratic," because the process "excludes so many people." Anyone who happens to be working or is sick or too old to get out for a few hours Thursday night won't be able to participate, Strickland said.

"I'd like to see both parties say, 'We're going to bring this to an end,'" Strickland said, adding that he has no problem with the New Hampshire primary Jan. 8, because "at least it's an election."

Since endorsing Clinton in September, Strickland has campaigned for her three times in Iowa, including what was to be a quick trip Dec. 9 that turned into "the trip to hell and back," Strickland said. He expected to return to Columbus via Chicago early that Sunday night but was waylaid by bad weather, getting home at 6 a.m. Monday — via Las Vegas.

"Iowa is not an attractive place to be in the wintertime," Strickland said, adding that Iowa "is not a representative state and the caucus is not a fair way to register public opinion, in my judgment."

The Clinton campaign today sought some distance from the governor's comments.

"Sen. Clinton believes that Iowa and New Hampshire play a unique and special role in the nominating process, and that process should be protected," spokesman Issac Baker said. "We're proud to have Gov. Strickland's support, but on this issue they disagree."

A half-dozen Iowans who were asked about Strickland's comments today all disagreed with him. Kent Balduchi, a Des Moines lawyer attending a rally for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, said Strickland was "sadly mistaken."

"The process here leads to a lot closer contact with the candidates and you get to put them to the test," Balduchi said. "You get to ask them questions and then judge for yourself whether they give you straight and honest answers."

Jerry Stewart, a woodworker from West Des Moines also attending the Richardson rally, said Strickland "doesn't seem to be paying attention when he's in Iowa, because in some ways it's the most democratic process you can have. We get an opportunity to really decide what the candidates are made of, and if you don't have an Iowa or New Hampshire, the national media do that for you."

jhallett@dispatch.com

Young Voter PAC Helps Iowa Students Get Back For Caucus

I just found this at the Des Moines Register website. It's from the Young Voter PAC. Here's the text:

Students Needing Help
If you are going to school in Iowa and want to come back and caucus, we can help. In order to get gas money and a hotel room just download and fill out this form. Email the form to jane@youngvoterpac.org. You MUST complete the form by Dec. 31st.

Youth Caucusing Stories + Press Inquiries
We compiled a Youth Press Corps that includes youth voting experts and young people living in Iowa. Please call Jane Fleming Kleeb at 202-445-5263 or email mail jane@youngvoterpac.org to set up interviews and to find out what groups are doing on the ground in Iowa.



This is great news for college students in Iowa who want to get back home for the Iowa Caucus, Jan 3rd.

On Wearing My "Obama 08" Cap and News Media Thoughts

I made this quick video while in the Denver Airport on the way to Atlanta. I am reporting on wearing my Obama 08 Cap and some observations on how the media mis-portrays America.

Oprah's Backing Of Barack Obama Timely; So What If He's Black? If it Were White On White, Would You Question It? Isn't That Racist?

Yesterday, Oprah Winfrey came out of her entertainment world to back Senator Barack Obama for President. It's a development that sent shockwaves through the country, and also tilted the election more in Obama's favor.



But it's also brought out an element of racism that must be adressed and slapped down. Those people would would see two African Americans of prominent nature together and think that in this case, Oprah's backing Barack just because he's Black.

Well, if that's the case, Oprah should have backed another illinois politician when she ran for President: Carol Mosley Braun. But she didn't. Oprah could have supported Al Sharpton when he ran for the highest office in the land -- but she didn't.

She came out for Barack because she knows and man, and while being African American's a plus, it's not the only reason.

But what bothers me is those Americans who would fear seeing Black success supporting, well, Black success. Hey, we're seen White success backing White success for decades. It's an obvious hallmark of a country headed in the right direction that we can have a person who's both female and a billionaire back a person's who's the most popular politician in America, and who happens to be Black.

As to why Oprah didn't back Hillary. I think she said the reason in her speech: "The Amount Of Time You Spent In Washington Means Nothing Unless You Are Accountable For The Judgments You Made"

Iowa Caucus Absentee Voting Confusion - Website Says "Yes" - Sec of State "No"

I just wrote a blog article on the Iowa Caucuses and investigated the Secretary of State's website regarding Absentee Ballots and elections.

The Secretary of State's office website discusses Absentee Ballot information but does not give any words at all on restrictions of use of the Absentee Ballot. Yet, the elections specialist there says that the Absentee Ballot can't be used for the Iowa Caucuses, just the general election.

They admit the website's in error. This is what it reads on Absentee Ballots:

Absentee Ballot Information

Applications for Absentee Ballots can be obtained Online in a PDF format, or mailed upon request from the Secretary of State.

Request for ballot should be made by mail to the County Auditor/Commissioner of Elections, in the county you are registered to vote in.

If the application is received so late that it is unlikely that the absentee ballot can be returned by mail in time to be counted on election day, the commissioner shall enclose with the absentee ballot a statement to that effect. The applicant can be hand deliver the ballot on Election Day before the polls close.

In requesting an absentee ballot, state your name, voting address, the address to which your ballot should be sent, and sign the request as you are registered. Absentee votes may be cast in person at your County Election Office (County Auditor) as soon as ballots are available.

In order for the ballot to be counted, the carrier envelope must be received in the commissioners office before the polls close on election day or be clearly postmarked by an officially authorized postal service not later than the day before the election, and received by the commissioner not later than noon on the Monday following the election.

Those in the Armed Forces need not register if they vote a military ballot. The request constitutes registration, with a county address. There is additional information and application forms on the Internet through the Federal Voting Assistant Program

Any qualified elector who becomes a patient or resident of a hospital or health care facility within three days prior to the date of an election, may request an absentee ballot during that period or on election day.

Helpful places with more information

Democratic State Central Committee
5661 Fleur Dr., 50321, Phone 244-5051
Republican State Central Committee
521 E. Locust St., 50309, Phone 282-8105

Iowa Caucus Allows Absentee Voting - Great For Barack Obama and College Students

I just read an interesting Huff Post "Off The Bus" article that asserted the youth vote, which is the strength of the Obama for America campaign, would be harmed by the fact that the Iowa Caucus will be held when students are away.

I read the article and realized that the author never considered absentee voting! So I went back to see if I missed anything; nope. I did not. Here's the information and link:


Iowa Absentee Ballot Application

The Iowa Secretary of State has made the official absentee ballot application available online in a pdf format. You may print this online form and fill it out by hand, please be sure to sign the form before you send it to your county auditor.

English Application for an Absentee Ballot
Español Formulario Official Para Solicitud de Votación en Ausencia
Laotian Application for an Absentee Ballot
Vietnamese Application for an Absentee Ballot
Absentee Voting for Iowans who are in the Military or Overseas
Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) - Military & Overseas
If you would like a hard copy of any of the forms above, please call the Secretary of State's Office at 515-281-0145 or 888-SOS-VOTE (888-767-8683).

There's also information specific to Iowa college students here > Iowa College Students Vote

So if the Obama campaign works the absentee ballots, they're ok.

Actually, I learn they're not. The Secretary of State's website's in error! They're going to correct this - they say!

Hillary Clinton Uses Lobbiyst Troutman Sanders To Meet Iowa Alledged Violator Monsanto

Troutman Sanders is hosting a party for Hillary Clinton and "Rural America"

First, who's Troutman Sanders? Well, their website reports a huge client list of large corporations . which is listed below in this blog post.

What Hillary Clinton's doing is using their office space to meet Monsanto, one of Troutman Sanders' major clients. The title of the event is "Rural Americans for Hillary." Monsanto is under investigation by office of Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller regarding its business practices in Iowa and how they impact Iowa farmers. Monsanto's also the focus of a patent dispute with Iowa State University.

What's weird is that the event is not only entitled "Rural Americans for Hillary" but is being held in Washington DC and that Monsanto is judged as the most unethical investment in the World by one website.

Hillary's getting bashed by Iowans over this story, and it could be the nail in the coffin of her chances to win in Iowa. Meanwhile, let's look at the lobbying firm Troutman Sanders. It's no surprise that Hillary Clinton's not taking questions from Iowa voters at press conferences.

They are listed and seen as lobbyists. As stated, Monsanto's one of Troutman Sanders' top clients, but in addition, former aids to President Bill Clinton have lobbied for Monstanto in the recent past.

TSPAG representative client list:

Aetna
AFLAC
American Insurance Association
American Lawyer Media, Inc.
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
Assurant Health
BellSouth Corporation
Branded Pharmaceutical Association
Camp, Dresser & McKee, Inc
CarMax
Cerner
CIGNA Healthcare
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.
City of Atlanta
City of Forsyth, Georgia
City of Sacramento City Manager's Office
City of Sacramento Department of Utilities
City of Watsonville
Coastal Heritage Society
The Coca-Cola Company
Columbus Community Services
County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
Digimarc ID Systems
Entertainment Software Association
First United Ethanol, LLC
General Electric Company
General Motors Corporation
Georgia Crown Distributing Company
Georgia Southern University
Gilbane Building Company
Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority
Home Builders Association of Georgia
Lewis & Clark Rural Water System, Inc.
Long Fence
L. R. Wechsler, Ltd.
Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
Merck & Company
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Microsoft Corporation
Mid-Dakota Rural Water System, Inc.
Monterey County Administrative Office
Monterey County Water Resources Agency
Monsanto
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Outfitters Association
Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency
Paulding County Airport Authority
Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America
Press Ganey Associates
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
Prudential Financial, Inc.
Recording Industry Association of America
Schwan's Global Supply Chain, Inc.
Southern Company
Synovus Financial Corp.
USA Rice Federation
University of Arkansas, School of Agriculture
Verizon Wireless
Virginia Bar Association
Virginia Economic Developers Association
Vitech
Walter Industries

In Iowa, Hillary Clinton Backer Terry McAuliffe Says Clinton Iraq Vote Flip-Flop Due To Gender

Folks, I'm not making this up. It comes from the Iowa Independent newspaper. On August 30th, Clinton Campaign President Terry McAuliffe opened his mouth and stuck his foot deep in it, pissing off the people in attendance and possibly damaging the Clinton effort in Iowa.

On top of that, McAuliffe's act is upsetting other Iowans as well, and one person just plain wrote "I'm sick of Terry McAuliffe." Yes, the person who will stand in a photo with a Panda -- a costumed Panda -- for a vote, is proving to be a major liability in the state Clinton needs to prove she's unstoppable.

And what's so funny is he's the head of the campaign. He's walking around acting like they've got the election in the bag and thus not being affaid to make stupid statements, like this doozy of a running-off-at-the-mouth you're about to see below.

According to Chase Martyn, ....

Terry McAuliffe, who serves as Chair of Clinton's presidential campaign and was Chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005, helped shed light on why Clinton will not admit her vote was a mistake during an August 30 appearance at a coffee shop in Grinnell, IA. Abby Rapoport, editor-in-chief of Grinnell College's Scarlet & Black student newspaper, was the only reporter present for McAuliffe's candid conversation, and she quoted him this way in the September 7 issue of the paper:

McAuliffe declared that under no circumstances would she take back her vote. “A woman?” he almost yelled. “Can you imagine?”

Iowa Independent has verified from three other attendees of the event that McAuliffe was quoted accurately. Ironically, those attendees also told us that before discussing the connection between Clinton's position on her war vote and her gender, McAuliffe noted that he could only speak so candidly because there were no reporters present -- or so he thought.




Grinnell Coffee Company has a hip, artsy vibe with its black walls and its Venus Rising painting with a French coffee press. But I walked straight to the back, where a small beige room stands in stark contrast to the warm and friendly coffee shop. In the room, Grinnell community members talked in small clusters, awaiting the arrival of yet another politico to plead for their vote.
Suddenly a wholly alien force took over the room. Terry McAuliffe, former Democratic National Committee Chair and long time friend of the Clintons, arrived with an air of dominance, as all eyes focused on him.

McAuliffe is tall, with a booming voice and a slick, used-car-salesman type charm. His smiles and greetings, not to mention his slaps on the back of Wayne Moyer, Political Science, felt too self-congratulatory. You guys haven't won yet, I thought.

As if on command, we all sat down at once, waiting to hear what McAuliffe would say. Yet no one seemed more excited to hear him speak than McAuliffe himself. I guessed it would have something to do with voting for Hillary, given the posters taped to the wall and the stacks of lawn signs in the corner. But his tone was not quite what I imagined.

After asking who in the room would be supporting Hillary and finding only four of the twelve attendees to be loyal, McAuliffe began by emphasizing the campaign's currently successes, and its domination of the polls. He almost seemed to gloss over the nomination process, eager to talk about the general election.

"A lot of people ask me, `Can she win the general election?'" he boomed. The sweet older woman next to me seemed to perk up and nod at the question; presumably, she was asking it too. "Well," he continued, "that's the dumbest question I've ever heard." The woman seemed to stop nodding along.

McAuliffe spoke for almost forty-five minutes, focusing mainly on the general election, an election, he announced, that the Clinton campaign was already fundraising for.

"Anyone in the room who doesn't think this isn't going to be the most vicious campaign is nuts," he proclaimed. He seemed ready for the viciousness though. Later, he declared that "If you defame this woman … we will hit you back so hard your head will spin."

I kept trying to remind myself, undecided that I was, that in fact McAuliffe was not Hillary Clinton and his pushy, aggressive style did not necessarily discount his candidate. And at least he wasn't attacking other candidates, a trait I find particularly frustrating. Hear him all the way through, I thought. Give Hillary a chance.

And apparently Hillary needs my help. "Hillary is going to get elected," he proclaimed, "and I'll tell you why folks, because of women." 18 through 35 year-old women, he specified. ME.

But it was another 18 to 35 year old woman that caused a stir. McAuliffe asked those of us who were not supporters at the beginning of his little talk if any of us had changed out minds. When he found that none of us were swayed, he asked someone to come forward with their objections to his candidate, Jordan Levine '10 , one of the leaders of the Students for Hillary, pointed to Hannah Garden-Monheit '08, leader of Students for Obama. McAuliffe pushed her. "I don't mean to put you on the spot but…"

Garden-Monheit said she disliked Clinton's war vote. McAuliffe declared that under no circumstances would she take back her vote. "A woman?" he almost yelled. "Can you imagine?"

Carol Kramer, one of the four in the room supporting Clinton, echoed Garden-Monheit's concerns about Clinton's war vote.. "I want her to apologize," she explained.

"And I don't," McAuliffe retorted. Supporters could still incur his condescension. He reminded us that "[Republicans] are killers …. They're gonna lie, they're gonna steal-they're good at it."

But his parting words were more unifying. "We all come together in the end," he said. Fine, I thought. I'll vote for any of them-as long as I don't have to vote for you.

Whatever the reasons for Terry's behavior, it's clear he thinks the campaign's so far ahead it can survive his display of arrogance and stupidity.

Big mistake.