Fresh from his win over Senator Hillary Clinton in North Carolina and his near-tie with her in Indiana, thus increasing his delegate lead over her and with the addition of more Superdelegates has only seven fewer lined up for him than Clinton as of this writing and stands at 173 delegates away from the needed 2025 to clinch the Democratic Presidential Nomination.
Obama was doing a meet-and-greet, much as Clinton herself had done a day before. This video was made during that event.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
VentureBeat's Matt Marshall @ Startup Camp San Francisco
Matt Marshall was formerly a reporter for the San Jose Mercury News and who started the company VentureBeat.com in 2006. We first met when I attended his party at the Amsterdam in San Francisco, and then ran into each other at Startup Camp San Francisco, where he took time to talk with me while we were in the chow line there.
As for Startup Camp itself, it was great for networking, but I didn't get out of it what I was looking for, which was focused, specific discussion of problems and issues that all startups face. For the most part, the discussion groups had general conversations and were too large in some cases to be effective on a personal level.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Myth of Invincibility: Obama, Hillary, and us
Combat soldiers are famous for and know about something called the "myth of invincibility". It is the completely mythological notion that disaster will strike all around you and harm others, but you will survive. Senator Obama certainly did not start out as inevitable in the race, even in his own estimation - but many thought Senator Clinton was.
The untold story is about us, the citizens of the United States. We have shown that we too believe in the Myth of Invincibility. We have stood by Obama through the early stages of Hillary's silly attacks when she investigated Obama's kindergarten essays. We have stood by Obama when the media proclaimed that his campaign was over, twice, once with the bitter comment, and then with the Wright issue.
We investigate the issues, we blog and comment, we campaign and phone bank, and we fund his campaign. Charles Kriete was a clergyman, and a chaplain in the army, and unlike any other clergy, he also taught strategy at the Army War College. He authored the first critical in-house analysis of military strategy in Vietnam. He was also the only clergyman in or out of uniform who was assigned to the Strategic Studies Institute, and awarded the Military Occupational Status (MOS) of Strategic Analyst. After 15 years in retirement, he has been selected to join the Distinguished Fellows Society of the War College - his words and thoughts form the core of this article.
read more | digg story
The untold story is about us, the citizens of the United States. We have shown that we too believe in the Myth of Invincibility. We have stood by Obama through the early stages of Hillary's silly attacks when she investigated Obama's kindergarten essays. We have stood by Obama when the media proclaimed that his campaign was over, twice, once with the bitter comment, and then with the Wright issue.
We investigate the issues, we blog and comment, we campaign and phone bank, and we fund his campaign. Charles Kriete was a clergyman, and a chaplain in the army, and unlike any other clergy, he also taught strategy at the Army War College. He authored the first critical in-house analysis of military strategy in Vietnam. He was also the only clergyman in or out of uniform who was assigned to the Strategic Studies Institute, and awarded the Military Occupational Status (MOS) of Strategic Analyst. After 15 years in retirement, he has been selected to join the Distinguished Fellows Society of the War College - his words and thoughts form the core of this article.
read more | digg story
Clinton Lost Black Democratic Base - Can't Win Without It
In launching what many feel has been a loser strategy Senator Clinton too a number of actions that have served to virtually eliminate her Black support. For the first time in Democratic Party history since the passage of the Civil Rights Act, a presidential candidate close to the nomination can't count on Blacks for support.
Now -- according to CNN's American Morning -- her African American support is down to "single digits". That means over 90 percent of Blacks don't back her -- or more to the point support Senator Barack Obama. Thus, one can make the argument that Clinton would have a harder time wining a race against John McCain, because Blacks don't support her and may even jump over to the Republican Party to help Senartor John McCain.
Ouch.
Now -- according to CNN's American Morning -- her African American support is down to "single digits". That means over 90 percent of Blacks don't back her -- or more to the point support Senator Barack Obama. Thus, one can make the argument that Clinton would have a harder time wining a race against John McCain, because Blacks don't support her and may even jump over to the Republican Party to help Senartor John McCain.
Ouch.
New Dodge Challenger Like The Old Dodge Challenger.
Dodge came out with a new Challenger, which reminds me of the old Challenger of the 70s, but I guess that's the point.
Obama Wins North Carolina; Almost Indiana; Clinton Should Drop Out
After weeks of being bombed with constant Rev. Wright stories and attempts to define Obama as a "Black candidate" we have the Indiana and North Carolina primaries, where Clinton was supposed to win by 10 percent -- she didn't -- and was to come close to Obama in North Carolina by coming within single digits -- she didn't do that either.
Instead, Barack Obama won North Carolina by 14 points, and narrowly lost Indiana by less than 2 point, and vote counting is still not done.
Senator Obama is now about 200 delegates or less from being the Democratic Presidential Nominee and there's nothing Senator Clinton can do to halt his march. Nothing.
Clinton -- with a looming campaign debt -- is finished. MSNBC's Tim Russert gave the monologue that said it all, and it's here in this video:
We do now know who the Democratic Presidential nominee will be and it's Senator Barack Obama.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Native American Superdelegate Endorses Barack Obama
Kalyn Free...
is a superdelegate and at-large member of the Democratic National Committee. Free, who has endorsed Senator Barack Obama's bid for the nomination of the Democratic party today, is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the founder and President of Indigenous Democratic Network's (INDN) List, an organization dedicated to training and recruiting Native American political candidates. Obama has shown considerable sensitivity to the issues of First/Native Americans, and appears to be the only candidate with a Tribal Leaders Steering Committee actively participating on the campaign.read more | digg story
Mildred Loving, Who's Interracial Marriage Was Protected In Court, Passes On
Mildred Loving just wanted to marry her husband in 1967, but for reasons that are totally weird, they were blocked. Challenging Virginia's bigotted laws, they won, opening the door to the destruction of anti-interracial marriage laws that should never have been in place.
Mildred passed on to Heaven this week at 68.
Mildred passed on to Heaven this week at 68.
Republican Senator Doing the Troops Wrong
Senator Webb, a VA Democrat, has been the guiding force behind this legislation, which has been dubbed the new G.I. bill. The measure is decidedly bipartisan. Mr. Webb’s principal co-sponsors include Republican Senators Chuck Hagel of NE and John Warner of VA, and Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg of NJ. Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are on board, but you just might be surprised at who is not supporting the effort to pay for college for G.I.’s who have willingly put their lives on the line. Read Bob Herbert's piece in today's N.Y.Times and discover it's John McCain.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Monday, May 05, 2008
May Day / Cinco de Mayo celebration in Minneapolis a hit
Perfect Weather as Minneapolis celebrates May Day and Cinco de Mayo
The annual parade to Powderhorn Park was a big hit this year, the weather was perfect, the floats and marchers were festive and lively, and several prominent Democrats
walked the route including U.S. Senate candidate Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak who led a "Minnesota for Obama" contingent prior to the Heart of the Beast puppet theater's magical season-welcoming festival.It seems Minnesota may be more culturally and ethnically open-minded than some folks on the coast give it credit for. They elected Keith Ellison to U.S. Congress, the first Muslim ever to be so honored, and even at the local level they've elected Satveer Chaudhary, and they surprised pollsters and pundits on Super Tuesday by showing overwhelming support for Barack Obama's candidacy - and lately their female U.S. Senator has announced she's in Obama's corner, too. Maybe they're not as loony as the country thought they might be after putting Jesse Ventura in the Governor's mansion? Well, they know how to do a community festival and a parade right.
Not 10, not 20, not even 50! 200 Economists Denounce Clinton/McCain Gas Tax Plan!
That Clinton or McCain would engage in this type of pure political pandering is not surprising. It’s exemplifies the old Washington gamesmanship that we need to change. This may not be the single most irresponsible policy idea of the year, but it must've been formulated by somebody thinking only about votes, not reality. Let's drive up demand and keep sending money to big oil and middle eastern zillionaires. Obama's honesty makes them both look like old-school politicians more beholden to corporate interests than worried about what's good for the U.S.A. Oh. Right.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Hillary Clinton To "Stick It" To Black Voters With "Nuclear Option"
Well, it's not like she's got the Black vote, so Senator Hillary Clinton - in a desparate attempt to gain delegates over Senator Barack Obama, is going to use what she calls "a nuclear option" which would certainly detroy the Democratic Party. Clinton wants Florida and Michigan delegates to be counted. Which is fine -- but Clinton herself signed a contract not to count or campaign in those states because they broke the DNC rules.
Even Clinton said a few months ago, that Florida and Michigan don't count. But now here's this nuclear option -- it's all about Clinton and to hell with the party.
These are the scenarios to watch for according to the Huffington Post:
Using the Rules and Bylaws Committee to force the seating of two pro-Hillary delegations would provoke a massive outcry from Obama forces. Such a strategy would, additionally, face at least two other major hurdles, and could only be attempted, according to sources in the Clinton camp, under specific circumstances:
First, this coming Tuesday, Clinton would have to win Indiana and lose North Carolina by a very small margin - or better yet, win the Tar Heel state. She would also have to demonstrate continued strength in the contests before May 31.
Second, and equally important, her argument that she is a better general election candidate than Obama -- that he has major weaknesses which have only been recently revealed -- would have to rapidly gain traction, not only within the media, where she has experienced some success, but within the broad activist ranks of the Democratic Party.
Under that optimistic scenario, some Clinton operatives believe she could overcome several massive stumbling blocks:
-- Clinton loyalists on the Rules Committee would have to be persuaded to put their political futures on the line by defying major party constituencies, especially black leaders backing Barack Obama. Committee members are unlikely to take such a step unless they are convinced that Clinton has a strong chance of winning the nomination.
Former DNC and South Carolina Democratic Party chair Donald Fowler -- a Hillary loyalist -- would, for example, face an outpouring of anger from South Carolina Democrats if he were to go along with such a strategy.
-- A controversial decision to seat the two delegations, as currently constituted, would be appealed by the Obama campaign to the Democratic National Convention's Credentials Committee.
The full make-up of the Credentials Committee will not be determined until all the primaries are completed, but the pattern of Clinton and Obama victories so far clearly suggests that Obama delegates on that committee will outnumber Clinton delegates. Obama will not, however, have a majority, according to most estimates, and the balance of power will be held by delegates appointed by DNC chair Howard Dean.
Regardess, it's clear the DNC Chairman Howard Dean's in danger of losing control of the party. He'd better think of a "nuclear option" of his own.
Even Clinton said a few months ago, that Florida and Michigan don't count. But now here's this nuclear option -- it's all about Clinton and to hell with the party.
These are the scenarios to watch for according to the Huffington Post:
Using the Rules and Bylaws Committee to force the seating of two pro-Hillary delegations would provoke a massive outcry from Obama forces. Such a strategy would, additionally, face at least two other major hurdles, and could only be attempted, according to sources in the Clinton camp, under specific circumstances:
First, this coming Tuesday, Clinton would have to win Indiana and lose North Carolina by a very small margin - or better yet, win the Tar Heel state. She would also have to demonstrate continued strength in the contests before May 31.
Second, and equally important, her argument that she is a better general election candidate than Obama -- that he has major weaknesses which have only been recently revealed -- would have to rapidly gain traction, not only within the media, where she has experienced some success, but within the broad activist ranks of the Democratic Party.
Under that optimistic scenario, some Clinton operatives believe she could overcome several massive stumbling blocks:
-- Clinton loyalists on the Rules Committee would have to be persuaded to put their political futures on the line by defying major party constituencies, especially black leaders backing Barack Obama. Committee members are unlikely to take such a step unless they are convinced that Clinton has a strong chance of winning the nomination.
Former DNC and South Carolina Democratic Party chair Donald Fowler -- a Hillary loyalist -- would, for example, face an outpouring of anger from South Carolina Democrats if he were to go along with such a strategy.
-- A controversial decision to seat the two delegations, as currently constituted, would be appealed by the Obama campaign to the Democratic National Convention's Credentials Committee.
The full make-up of the Credentials Committee will not be determined until all the primaries are completed, but the pattern of Clinton and Obama victories so far clearly suggests that Obama delegates on that committee will outnumber Clinton delegates. Obama will not, however, have a majority, according to most estimates, and the balance of power will be held by delegates appointed by DNC chair Howard Dean.
Regardess, it's clear the DNC Chairman Howard Dean's in danger of losing control of the party. He'd better think of a "nuclear option" of his own.
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