I really think that people caught up in the vaccum of Obama vs Clinton, have failed to see what an accomplishment this is. Forget the historical context for a minute(as an African American man, I am supremely proud of this moment), but just analyze things from a strategic and implementation standpoint, and use that as a litmus test as to how Obama will govern this country. He did something that NO republican could do, he took down the all too powerful Clinton machine. Think about where Obama was a year ago, a virtual unknown, no political clout or connections, no extensive fundraising mechanisms to speak of. Going up against the most powerful name in democratic politics perhaps since the Kennedys. Hillary had extensive political infrastructure, a Washington rolodex of envy, a fundraising machine, all the advantages that being a powerful political family entailed. And from a grassroots level, Obama organized, managed, strategized, and use cutting edge implementation to beat the less nimble Clinton Machine. It speaks to his effectiveness as a leader, and her ineptitude as the inevitable nominee. You are looking at the next President of the United States of America!
Change
Tonight Senator Barack Obama took American politics to a new level by becoming the first African-American presidential candidate for a major political party in American history. And he spoke tonight at the very site where the Republicans will hold their canned convention this September. Now that's the Audacity of Hope! Whoever inside the Obama campaign came up with the idea of bringing his most important rally to date to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul deserves a promotion. There were over 17,000 people inside and another 15,000 outside listening to Obama's speech tonight. Not since the 1968 campaign of Robert F. Kennedy has an American politician inspired such enthusiasm and fervor especially among the young people. Can anyone imagine either of the other candidates for president drawing 32,000 people to a spirited gathering? The energy tonight will far surpass anything the Republicans can muster at their convention. The Obama phenomenon has shown over and over again that this campaign is different, and that we are truly "turning the page" and bringing about a sea change in the direction of our nation and our politics.
We are on the threshold of a major positive change in this country. This time around the Democrats have an extremely talented candidate who opposed the Iraq war from the beginning. John McCain can level all of the tactical complaints he wants after the war he so vigorously supported proved to be far more costly than he thought. But he cannot erase the fact that he showed colossally poor judgment in cheerleading for George W. Bush's illegal invasion and occupation of a sovereign state in the heart of the Middle East. The Iraq debacle is the major source of why the United States finds itself today so reviled around the world. Obama recognizes the folly in the Bush-McCain unilateral cowboy foreign policy that is based on hubris, lies, and deception (as Scotty McClellan confirmed), and most Americans agree.
John McCain's hackneyed, lethargic, and boring speech tonight tried but failed miserably to embrace the theme of "change" that Obama has so successfully articulated and has resonated with voters. On all of the major issues, especially the war and the economy, McCain sides with his high-roller lobbyist benefactors over the interests of working Americans. His Keating Five roots run deep. It's impossible to keep up with the number of lobbyists, some representing the most odious regimes and corporations on the planet, jumping ship from McCain's organization in an effort to hide the fact that McCain himself is a cog in the Washington money machine. He has doled out so many financial favors to corporations as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee it's astounding that some journalists still insist on calling him a "maverick." Tonight McCain called for more deregulation of corporations (like the kind that brought us the mortgage crisis); more "free trade" agreements (like the kind that outsourced 3 million American jobs in the last eight years); and more war in Iraq and possibly Iran.
McCain's speech was bereft of any new ideas or vision and confirms what Obama has been saying all along: John McCain is running for George W. Bush's third term.
Barack Obama is now moving toward becoming President of the United States and he can only succeed through people power. We will see if Saul Alinsky's organizing methods can succeed in our current post-Bush, toxic political environment.
We all know the Republicans are going to smear Obama in every conceivable way. We should prepare ourselves for the endless 527 groups that run racist advertisements, direct mail attack pieces, under-the-radar "push polls" to confuse voters, and Florida-style voter suppression tactics, all marching in lockstep with the GOP's Propaganda Ministry over at Fox News. Obama is going to need our support especially when the Swift Boating begins. The blogs can play a pivotal role in throwing dirt in the gears of the Republican slime machine. The "Left" should refrain from nitpicking him in the general election. He is the first candidate we have had in 40 years that offers a real alternative to the status quo. If 2000 and 2004 can be learned from, we know the Republicans will try to create a false narrative of who Obama is and what he stands for. We must be vigilant, organized, and ready to do battle.
(I'd like to thank my friend and colleague Dr. Stan Oden for his help on this one.)
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Isn't this the same arena where Mondale gave his concession speech after losing 49 states? Or was it 57 or 58 states?
Yes the person who picked St. Paul, had a stroke of brilliance, but it would be hard to promote them over the person who picked the Lincoln site to kick off the campaign, or the person who organized a 75,000 person rally in Oregon, or the one who realized the importance of focusing on caucus states, the one who recognized the value of placing resources in the post-Super-Tuesday states even as Super Tuesday was in play, and whoever it was who said, "let's have Robert Wexler plead our case for Florida."
Obama's campaign has contained so many excellent decisions, that one truly feels this guy is a whole lot more than "just words" he's a leader that inspires great minds and gets things done.
Good post. Thank you Mr. Palermo.
we MUST be vigilant, and ready to do battle. and we will!!
Obama '08!
Republican operatives are the masters of "opposition research" and character assanation. Right-
Wing radio will be in over-drive in their efforts to villify Obama. Fox Television will kick into gear it's propaganda machinery.
What to watch for: these operatives will pounce on random and isolated pieces of info about Obama and Tout them as evidence of something nefarious about him. What is clear is that the Hannitys and Limbaughs of the world have very little capacity to really "know" someone---as evidenced by the pathetic people they choose to support---and they make judgments about people based on superficial pieces of evidence. I can tell you, as a therapist, that the worst thing you can do with a client is to make broad generalizations about or interpretations of a person's thoughts and behavior from very limited information or material.
"The Left should refrain from nitpicking him in the general election." ???
You must be daft if you think that the Left is anything other than pleased to have Obama as our candidate.
Republicans might want to temper their dictum that "you don't talk with your enemies." The next Democratic Administration and Democratic controlled Congress just might follow that advice and refuse to deal with Republicans.
I really wish all these misinformed Clinton supporters stop reciting 'Talking Points' on Sen. Obama accomplishments. If you really want to know what he has accomplished and the legislation he has authored, please visit his website and see for yourself. But please stop with the talking points! Your candidate lost and it"s over. Move one...
I cannot understand why I am reading so many posts and hearing so much comment on TV about Obama needing to "reach out" to "synergize" his campaign with Hilary Clinton's "great strengths at organizing." Are these people for real, or did they all just fall under the sway of the Clintonistas and their chief prevaricators Terry McAuliffe and Harold Ickes? Hillary's campaign has NO great strengths. It has lots of liabilities and lots of debt. Would anyone in their right mind want to augment a winning campaign with an abject loser who ran hard to the right and completely negative? Hillary (not to mention her utterly disgraced husband) has dug a hole for herself that she will find it very hard to crawl out of. And I, for one, do not think Obama should grab a shovel to help her up. Help bury her, maybe, though she's doing a fine job of that without his assistance. I would be fine with Hillary never making that fateful decision to concede. If she expects Obama to bail her out and pay her campaign debts--as well as install Billary as Veep--I'd say she needs counseling and a long time at a comfortable spa deep in the desert.
You really need to understand that not everyone sees this primary the same way as you do. You need to understand that Obama's campaign staffers said things that were offensive to Hillary's supporters. Was it deliberate? No. Insensitive? Yes.
Frankly, the older female vote takes no small share of the credit for building the democratic party. We haven't won the white male vote since well before 1992. All this talk of "the failed politics of the past" reads to them as disrespectful to the hard work they put in to build the platform Obama is now standing on.
I find some of her campaign tactics disagreeable and frustrating, but I understand why so many folks support her. Show them some respect.
Nope, sorry, no respect from me. Perhaps Bill and Hillary should have thought about human respect before they trashed Obama for his race, age, and appeal to his supporters' better sides--their hopes and ideals--and before Hillary crowed about having the "white" vote zipped up. That was a disgrace. Neither of that pair will ever get any respect from me again, and I've voted the straight Democratic ticket in every election--not just the presidential ones--since 1972.
Mr. Palermo, you state Obama is positive change for this country??? His plan calls for higher corporate tax rates, higher capital gains tax, higher limits on social security withholding, government controlled healthcare, and on and on. Yes he may get elected, but then his defeat in four years will be monumental after a terrible domestic policy. Words are great to get people fired up, but as they say, actions speak much louder.
"His plan calls for higher corporate tax rates, higher capital gains tax, higher limits on social security withholding, government controlled healthcare, and on and on."
Are you so dense that you don't realize that your stated objections are the very reason he's been able to get this far?
WAKE UP; Americans are tired of the unregulated market, warmongering, 1% supporting GOP NONSENSE that has broken this nation over the course of the last three decades.
Indeed, actions speak louder than words, "I'm a uniter, not a divider", "I'm a comassionate conservative" "Doin a heck of a job, Brownie", "No decision on going to war has been made"...............America now knows these were just meaningless words spoken by the appointed President. Your side has had it's way for the last 8 years and what has it brought us? Neck deep in the desert sands, imploding economy and environmental meltdown.
"His plan calls for higher corporate tax rates, higher capital gains tax, higher limits on social security withholding, government controlled healthcare, and on and on."
Sounds good to me.
If you're a 28% Republican, I'm sure it's beyond the pale, but most people are now questioning the wisdom of Republican conventional wisdom, for good reason. It's brought nothing but lost jobs, a lower standard of living, huge debt, and deteriorating national health. Plus a lot of dead people.
Time to rely on more than conventional wisdom. All the countries that have implemented these policies you hate are doing better than the US. The countries that tried the Republican dream have all met with disaster, now the US included in that list.
"His plan calls for higher corporate tax rates, higher capital gains tax, higher limits on social security withholding, government controlled healthcare,"
Sounds good to me. Take the big Bush tax breaks away from the billionaires who DON'T NEED it, and give the common people health care??? YES!!!!
My biggest hope is that they have a presidential candidate debate. Obama will make McCain look like a moron, "my friends". What would be even more interesting would be to get McCain's goat during the debate and show some of that McCain temperament, that might make people think twice. And when McCain questions his military experience and "comforting of terrorists," there should be no hesitation, Obama should simply state the facts that he will do what is necessary and talking to people is not the same as giving in to them. It is usually much better with better results. I am a white, middle-aged, college educated guy and find Obama an exciting alternative to what has been going on. The only previous president I can remember being excited about was when I was a very young boy, JFK. But if Obama wins I actually think he may accomplish even more than JFK.
Call me cynical, but I'll be happy when Obama beats McBush. Yes, this is a big step and reason for optimism, but the deal is not yet done.
What has Obama done? Can you name one thing except he can give a good speech. The man has no experience!!
georgiaR, please tell me what experience do the other 2 candidates have? The only experience for being a president is if you've been a president before. Being the spouse of a president does not qualify you for the office. If so, then Laura Bush could be the president and after all, she has class and grace which is more than can be said for Hillary. Also being a POW doesn't qualify you either. If that's the case then all the POWs can run for that office. That being said, none of the candidates have any experience to be president; you just have to vote based on who has the qualifications, education, wisdom displayed, good judgemental skills and the humility to take good advice and admit when you're wrong or when you have lost.
Federal senate :
Worked with republican senator Lugar to expand and author
program to locate & dismantle stray Russian WMD"s left over
from the cold war after the disbanding of the USSR.
Jan. 2007, major ethics/lobbying reform bill, w/ Russ Feingold
insisted tougher measures banning lobbyist gifts/ meals/ jets,
disclosure of earmark & contribution bundling to candidates or
committees; restricts retiring Congress from going into lobbying.
Toured Kuwait, Jordan, Israel, Palestinian territories, he told
Palestinian Authority Abbas that US would never recognize
Hamas leaders until they renounced mission to attack Israel.
In Africa, publicly took AIDS test as example of responsibility
Obama cosponsored Secure Orderly Immigration Act by John
McCain. Passed 62-36.
Makes undocumented persons who have been here 5+ years only allowed to stay and apply for citizenship, if pay back taxes, learn English and no criminal
record. 2 million undocumented persons who have been in the
United States for less than two years would be ordered home.
Called for increased fuel efficiency standards (3% / year)
10 years of senate experience (8 state senate 2 federal) with much aisle crossing bi-partisan solutions. In state senate, sponsored 780 bills, 280 were signed into law.
100% approval rating: League of Conservation Voters,
Planned Parenthood. National Education Association
gives him an "A" on their most recent scorecard.
His first year as U.S. Senator, Obama held 39 town hall
meetings throughout Illinois, and in senate, sponsored
152 bills and resolutions, and cosponsored 427 more
Speaker Harry Reid designated Barack Obama as the
Senate point man on ethics.
Background :
Worked for $13,000 / year helping inner city Chicago poor.
Registered 150,000 people to vote.
Graduated first black
president of Harvard Law Review, passed over 600 high money
law firm offers to work for civil rights practice at fractional pay.
State senate :
Adds health insurance for 20,000 children,
Welfare reform, Earned income tax credit, increased minimum wage ($5.15 to
$6.50). Death penalty reform making interrogations be video
taped passed Senate 58-0, signed to law by governor who first
opposed Obama"s bill.
Sponsored bill probing police profiling.
Obama opposed Iraq war publically, long before the invasion.
Accurately depicted it as undetermined length, undetermined
cost, undetermined objective, resulting as civil war.
Same
assessment Bush Sr. & Dick Cheney both gave in early 90"s.
He organized one of the most efficient and effective campaigns and out strategized one of the shrewdest political families of the 20th Century. He did what NO REPUBLICAN COULD DO, he defeated the Clintons, and he did so with HONOR and GRACE. Previous to Aug 04, hardly anyone knew this man's name, and he did all of this in FOUR YEARS as a junior senator- imagine what he will do in the first four years as President.
You might also want to check out many of the bills that he got passed as both state senator and US senator, very impressive. He is probably one of the most brilliant politicians we have had in our American history and I truly believe he will go down in history as such.
Missing from your list of Republican election year dirty tricks is the most important item - manipulation of vote totals at the tabulator level. The insecure and privately held software that adds up who voted for whom has still not been resolved. The focus has been on the individual electronic voting machines rather than on the systems used to tabulate the results. The only way the Democrats can be guaranteed to win in November would be through a landslide. Wherever the vote is close, Republican hackers aligned with the private companies that oversee these voting systems (Diebold, ES&S, etc.) can EASILY flip vote totals toward their candidates.
Again, we have still not resolved the electronic vote tabulating issue that flipped the vote totals in Ohio, from Kerry to Bush, thus giving us another four years of this catastrophic and illegitimate president.
I agree. Yet I suspect it won't happen until we the sheeple become We The People and demand our spineless politicians outlaw said machines well before Nov.
yes, the time to address this is now
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Posted June 4, 2008 | 12:01 AM (EST)