My first diary was back during the primaries, and it was about trusting Obama. At that time, it was about trusting him to handle the process of completing the primaries sucessfully. Which I did, even though a lot of people didn't think he was doing it right. And I'm glad to say that my faith in him on that front was not misplaced. He did manage to win, despite all the hand-wringing and lectures here about what he needed to do differently.
Now, I don't like that diary being the first thing I see every day when I open my DKos page. It's old and I want to add something new. Hopefully posting this in the middle of the night, it won't knock a better diary off the list too quickly. I just have to add my two cents about the FISA fiasco.
Really the best thing to do is let Obama speak for himself. Read on for some relevant selected quotes from The Audacity of Hope.
Below the fold, a statement from Wes Clark that is truly spot on, clear and, I think, undeniable.
My question to Obama supporters--and I count myself one who has defended him even as he has 'condemned' Wes Clark's statements for obvious political reasons--what should be Obama's response, if any?
According to what Seymour Hersh told us during Fresh Air on NPR today, the war with Iran has already begun. Our democratic leadership has funded it. Meanwhile, life goes on as usual. I'm not really able to comprehend people any more. Does everyone think it is not happening? Do they not understand the magnitude of what is going on? Hersh made it clear that the caving in by North Korea was the final step in paving the way for Bush to go ahead. Why are we just going about business as usual? Will it matter who wins the election (IF there is one)? Maybe I have lost my sense of perspective. I think not. Here is Hersh's New Yorker article: Preparing the Battlefield: The Bush Administration steps up its secret moves against Iran. Hersh is reasonbly sure that the operations are already being carried out and that the funding is flowing for them. Look below the break for more.
for all that Obama claims that his movement comes from the ground up at a grassroots level, it is truly his inspiration and message of hope from the top-down that has had a trickle down effect from the top of grassroots organizations to the very bottom of local leaders. How his change has made an impact with college democrats and young democrat organizations
Thank you for your support on the FISA bill. Oh, wait. Nevermind.
You have shown me today that you don't give a shit about "change". The only change you are serious about is ensuring your place on the next step of the political ladder. State senator. US senator. President. Hey, good on you. Its the American way. Take what you can get.
But when you claim to be a leader, and to represent a new kind of politics, and take credit for telling people the tough things they dont want to hear, I expect a lot more.
There are a number of things that he could have done to take a stand for the very Constitution that he is running to "preserve, protect and defend". And while I don’t doubt that, as you say, as President you will "carefully monitor the program, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to protect the lives – and the liberty – of the American people.", you miss the larger point here - and you miss it by a long shot.
The politics have changed, and I don't see the principle that guides Democrats to be unequivocally against offshore drilling for oil at this point. We are stuck on oil for a long time. Congressional Dems should adopt the position, include some safeguards, and alongside billions in funding for finding alternative fuel solutions, make it part of a long-term solution.
This is why people don't respect Democrats. Rather than show leadership on this issue, too many Dems are suddenly rushing to support really bad policy now that a couple of polls indicate that it is becoming politically popular.
An alliance of bloggers, activists and organizations spearheaded by the ACLU, Strange Bedfellows, has been formed to stop the sick insanity of FISA Telecom immunity. The movement has quickly taken root and raised nearly $200,000 almost instantly to illuminate the gross betrayal to the Constitution instigated by Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and other Blue Dogs in our nightmare FISA travesty.
The vote is set for tomorrow. To join the list supporting Strange Bedfellows click here, the press release from the ACLU is here.
Faith Based Federal Emergency Responses simply won't do anymore John McWon't... This isn't enough buddy...Obama buried that today when he grabbed a shovel and worked.
ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement on the flooding in the Midwest:
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by the flooding throughout the Midwest. Cindy and I would like to extend our sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones, and stand ready to help those in the Midwest to recover and rebuild."
Is it too much to ask for a President that we can Respect... Enough with the Talk, Grab a Shovel!
This is the institution I'm supposed to respect as such?
This is how the Bush Administration thanks those it chewed up and spat out in their miserable war of economic aggression? If these men aren't hauled before a court with the power to punish them, then justice will have lost the war and they'll be rounding us up for the camps.
How many Presidential candidates even get asked this question: "what is the meaning of life to you?" How many would give it more than a dismissive response? And, how many could actually say something meaningful?
For decades, I have been hungering for inspirational leadership within out political ranks. Today Obama demonstrated, yet again, why he fits that bill.
Maybe he's too old, too infirm, or simply lacks the mental capabilities we need in a commander in chief, but John McCain is simply not a strong enough man to be president. How do we know this? He told us so.
This should not pass unnoticed. McClatchy reports that Senator Obama's spokesman yesterday laid out a clearer opposition to Bush's Status of Forces Agreement than the Democratic Senate has so far done.
The point here is subtle but significant. The Washington Post, in tomorrow's edition, is reporting that congressional lawmakers are objecting to Bush's unilateral Status of forces agreement, but have so far not directly raised the issue of Congressional ratification -- in other words, have not really challenged Bush. But this is false. Obama's office did, as reported by McClatchy. In fact, Obama's position is now directly in line with the Iraqi parliament's opposition to Bush: that Bush must agree to a weakened agreement or punt to the UN, and therefore to the next US Administration, for any agreement.
I am not one for optimism in matters related to Iraq, but this appears to be an actual positive and fairly concrete sign that Obama is not messing around.
There's been too much talk lately about the deep (but healing!) divisions the Democratic primary has caused. I'd like to take a moment to step back and talk about the reason why things got that way: we were passionate about someone that inspired us. That's a good thing!
But I wanna know more. Who else inspires you? Who in politics and the media has made you passionate about politics?
Here's my short list (in no particular order, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few):
Bill Moyers
Keith Olbermann
Tony Benn
Dennis Kucinich
George Carlin
Jon Stewart
Arianna Huffington
Barack Obama
Ed Murrow
Update: Just to clarify, I included only people who I have personally seen/heard/read and were inspired by. You need not hold yourself to such strict rules, but that's why there are some obvious, glaring omissions here.
Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you. Well, thank you. Well, this (crowd going wild). Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. Thank you all. Well, this isn’t exactly the party I planned but I sure like the company. And I want to start today by saying how grateful I am to all of you. For everyone who poured your hearts into this campaign...
The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand, is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States. Today, as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run. I endorse him and throw my full support behind him. And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me.
Welcome, McCain bloggers, to our side of the discussion.
Many of us here at dailykos are more than willing to have a discussion of policy issues and honest considerations of where the future of our nation is headed.
You, as McCain supporters will find a complete range of opinions and attitudes here; but I'd warn you that earning your 'point' will mean nothing if you simply post drivel.
We challenge you to bring on some real points about the qualities of leadership your candidate has to offer; what are John McCain's searing insights to leadership which will blaze the path towards a better future for our country?
I have heard various "eastern" terms used to describe Barack Obama's unique ability to take a question, an argument, or a situation and turn it deftly back on its source. Some refer to it as judo or jujitsu, others kung fu or jedi mind tricks. The way Obama has run his campaign and the way he handles himself remind me of various Eastern philosophies, particularly taoism.
