SocialConscience

Indeed, what used to be news, is almost entirely opinion. Spin cycle. posted 04/01/2008 at 13:12:21

Truthiness. posted 04/01/2008 at 13:05:16

They are still campaigning across the country and on the news every day, so how can that be a bad thing? It's excellent exposure to the citizens of our nation. If anything, it detracts from the facetime that McCain is getting, and people with goldfish memory forget about him. posted 03/30/2008 at 20:06:30

Nora, half of the Democratic voters disagree with you. It would be ill-advised for Senator Clinton to bow out of the race with a popular vote gap of 1%. As you said, it isn't all about you, and she would be doing her supporters an injustice if she were to pull the plug when not everyone has had their say. Looking at historical primary seasons, it is not uncommon for them to last until June. If anything, this contest will only make the Democratic nominee more prepared for the Republican onslaught. Why do you think it's acceptable that so many American voters would be stripped of their voting right? It's not enough to say that it would make you sleep easier at night. Elections involve the gestalt of the country's citizens, not just a privileged few. posted 03/30/2008 at 19:38:27

It was inappropriate for him to dress her down on the air like that, especially given that story was nothing new. Looks like some misdirected anger there. posted 03/29/2008 at 00:44:44

This is completely devoid of taste and credibility. Notice, we didn't see one of these for Huckabee who was sporting a much more severe delegate and popular vote gap. Some people never mature. posted 03/30/2008 at 19:56:03

You are really assuming an incredible capacity to suspend disbelief if you think those clips were not indicative of what Jeremiah Wright believes. Those sermons were written, taking quite a bit of forethought. This is hardly the same as telling an off-color joke and then blushing at its inappropriate nature.

How about Jeremiah Wrights' praise of Louis Farrakhan. To Wright, he "epitomizes greatness". He showered him with an award and highlighted his work in the Trinity newsletter. All these things take forethought and a certain belief system. The Black Value System, to be exact. posted 03/29/2008 at 01:28:35

After 20 years as a parishioner at Wright's church, Obama states after Wright's retirement, that he would have left the church if Wright stayed on. Who believes this? He didn't denounce anything that Wright preached until he was called on the carpet about it. Those inflammatory sermons were on youtube for a year prior. How can he say, one day, that he was not aware of any controversial statements by Wright, and then, in a speech the next day, he confesses awareness of the inflammatory sermons? Obama is dishonest and pandering for votes. What else is he not truthful about? How is he to provide CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN? Too many people are seeing through the smokescreen. He will not be able to win the general election. posted 03/29/2008 at 01:23:11

He didn't have tenure; he wasn't a professor by standard definition. Who cares. posted 03/29/2008 at 00:55:04

"WHICH MEANS THE DELEGATES ARE THE TRUE MEASURE OF THE POPULAR VOTE"

That's like saying a scan of a xerox of a mimeograph of a carbon copy is as good as an original. posted 03/29/2008 at 01:10:56

Kudos for speaking your mind. Both Dean and Pelosi have been amazingly ineffectual. Not that I agreed with him, but Hastert was a force to be reckoned with, Nancy is well...a nancy.

People who back Obama have glossed over the fact that 28% of Clinton supporters will vote for McCain in a Obama - McCain matchup while 19% of Obama supporters will vote for McCain in a Clinton - McCain matchup. Isn't it funny how it's all about numbers when the statistics support their candidate, but we hear crickets when it goes the other way. posted 03/29/2008 at 01:05:14

How dare Senator Leahy call for Clinton's withdrawal. The popular vote gap is a hair's breadth. Every American should have their chance to vote in the primaries. posted 03/29/2008 at 00:58:28

Gaffe #2010. posted 03/29/2008 at 01:14:14

Did they just poll Trinity church members? The reflection of Jeremiah Wright as a mentor and spiritual guide for Senator Obama has cast a shadow on him, and it absolutely has swayed voters. It certainly hasn't helped him advance any in Pennsylvania. These daily polls are hard to take seriously. Hopefully, campaigns are gullible enough to afford them too much weight. posted 03/26/2008 at 23:15:47

To the detriment of the Democratic Party, the stallion's ego is too insurmountable to ever allow the joining of the two. Recall, WORDS COUNT: "likeable enough", "I'd have to think about it" (supporting Hillary if the Dem nominee), "there will be no second run", "if you can't run your own house". Respect appears to only be a one way street here. I envision Obama more the narcissistic crow that gets duped out of his cheese by the fox. He is too green and inexperienced to be at the top of the ticket. Do we want another president looking to his advisors for the answers? We need someone who can formulate a plan of action and use advisors to mature that plan, not author the plan entirely. His learning curve would be tremendous. With world affairs as they are, the US cannot afford this. posted 03/22/2008 at 14:28:17

"Further the only whites he condemned were rich ones and they pretty much deserve it."

CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN. This is unification? I rest my case... posted 03/23/2008 at 17:59:23

What has he spear-headed? It is one thing to initiate fledgling, trail-blazing legislation on your own steam, and it's quite another if you are one of a list of co-sponsors. Signing your name is not enough. We have heard enough "dittos" from Obama. (maybe he could do a sequel to the movie Ghost)

Where was he the point-man? posted 03/23/2008 at 17:56:47

Head of Illinois NOW criticized Obama's present votes: "We made it clear at the time that we disagreed with the strategy ... Voting present doesn't provide a platform from which to show leadership and say with conviction that we support a woman's right to choose and these bills are unacceptable."

You can't be merely "present" as Commander-in-Chief. posted 03/23/2008 at 17:48:59

What do you expect to see on these tax returns? What could possibly be so earth-shattering? I am interested in the speculation. posted 03/23/2008 at 00:02:51

What has Obama at least FIBBED about:

- Obama's stance regarding NAFTA when conversing with Canadian officials (wink, wink)
- Exelon- nuclear energy company, nuclear waste generator, Obama donor (supposedly not beholden to corporations, lobbyists)
- Obama's "present" votes allow him to be a clean slate. How can you criticize someone who doesn't have a voting record on the issues? There is a reason "present" votes are color-coded yellow. One needs courage to be POTUS; that means making tough decisions.
- Obama should not accept a Subcommittee position when he has no intention of fulfilling any of the duties. Holding a meeting is the bare minimum. He knew he would be stumping. Relinquish the position to someone who can affect change instead of padding your resume with empty "accomplishments".
- Following the Black Value System, yet claiming that we are all in this together. Trinity is not working for the advancement of all humankind. It's a specific subset of the human race. He elected to be part of that congregation for 20 years. How does a man move past racial differences when that is the topic du jour every Sunday?
- Convincing a slumlord under indictment, Tony Rezko, to buy an adjacent property to ensure his own mansion purchase. They were friends for 20 years as well. That case just began, and I'll bet there is more to the story.
- There's a lot more...Please consider the red flags before it is too late. McCain's campaign will use all this and more as ammunition, and they won't give polite notice before the attack. posted 03/22/2008 at 23:57:22

Please enumerate the headway that Barack Obama has made for Illinois. The TX senator, Kirk Watson, couldn't list one accomplishment, maybe you can provide this information. So far, I see no evidence of relevant experience to lead a major superpower. His efforts have been nebulous at best. Not a single poster here at HuffPo has been able to deliver the goods in terms of Barack's tangible qualifications. SHOW THE SKILL SET. posted 03/22/2008 at 23:40:11

"For all the chatter about press bias for Obama, his career might be over had he been caught in this kind of misstatement." This claim is laughable given all the free passes Barack Obama has been given of late. He is the teflon candidate. No matter what controversial statements or racial generalizations he expresses, it is waived because, surely, he meant otherwise. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO START TAKING BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA AT THEIR WORD? It's even acceptable that he sullied the reputation of his own grandmother in order to provide an anecdote for his speech. Even if it is true, did he even think of what the consequences would be for her, how she would be viewed? Note how he NEVER speaks about his mother and grandparents who raised him, but he will devote an entire book to an absentee father from a foreign land. WORDS COUNT.

I would like to learn more about Hillary's journey to Bosnia, but from someone who is an actual reporter who makes an effort to be objective. I don't trust the spin coming off this website any more. I used to hold Arianna on a pedestal, and now, I would like to know what dastardly thing the Clintons must have done to her directly to deserve such unveiled distain. I haven't seen a single non-Obama supporter as a HuffPost's Pick. There must be some winning comments from contributors that aren't fawning all over Obama. C'mon. posted 03/22/2008 at 23:30:54

No pass was given to the rest of the superdelegates. feelfree merely pointed out that John Kerry, Patrick Deval, and Ted Kennedy are voting contrary to how their constituents voted. This is also contrary to what many Obama supporters are saying, that superdelegates should echo the votes of their constituents. Superdelegates are allowed to be free agents. Which definitely raises the question of why we have them. There should be equitable voting, no one with a stronger voice than any other individual. I wonder what American citizen packs the most punch? A Texan superdelegate who voted in the primary and caucus?

The Judas thing is a bit much. Better to stick to the facts than use religious imagery. posted 03/23/2008 at 00:45:35

It is particularly bothersome that the FL Republicans are able to influence, and essentially negate, the votes of their Democratic constituents. How did the DNC not react aggressively to this tactic and see the long view and where this would land us? posted 03/23/2008 at 00:31:11

Excellent point. The "pissing and moaning" rant got me off track, my apologies. It's likely that any candidate that would stand to seat delegates by counting the electorates' votes would behave just as marybanilow described. Any candidate worth their salt. In the case of Barack, he doesn't have a benefit, so of course, he opposes. It's elementary politicking, but it's the American people that get left out of the process, and it just isn't right. It's time we eliminated this opportunity to jockey for primary positions, and when I say that, I am looking forward to the future since there is nothing that can be done with this election cycle. posted 03/23/2008 at 00:28:29

So, I guess we should never attempt to improve anything. You sound like my crotchety old neighbor who puts her cigarettes inside her bra. I think we all need to admit that there is room for improvement in how our elections are run. posted 03/22/2008 at 14:49:44

My point is no one should have a bigger voice than anyone else. One person, one vote. You just proved my point that caucuses allow unfair leverage to a fraction of the voting population.

Fair debates and equal time would be sufficient for voters to determine who their candidate will be, and a national primary would equalize everyone's vote. posted 03/22/2008 at 14:45:44

I guess none of us will know until the vote is cast, but he was already trying to minimize her win in New Mexico. Seems like he is positioning himself for an Obama vote. An endorsement of Obama logically points to a vote for Obama. posted 03/22/2008 at 14:40:29

Unfortunately, I believe you are correct. Instead of being a unifier, as advertised, Obama has divided the party, and the country. He has injected race into the campaign, and it has changed the tone across the country. I still believe that Bill Clinton's statement comparing Barack Obama's election performance to Jesse Jackson's in South Carolina was purposefully misconstrued by the Obama campaign, and then the MSM. He lauded both Obama and Jackson for running good campaigns, yet the Obama campaign inspired a media flurry that speculated this painted Obama as the black candidate. To me, their characterization marginalized Jesse Jackson as if he is only defined by his race. Follow the trail, and you will see who has been initiating the "race card". I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but people are on edge. The pressure cooker has been turned on, and I fear for the general election outcome. McCain and Huckabee may be posing as defending Obama at the moment, but if Obama becomes the Dem nominee, he we not survive the Republican attacks. He is already on such thin ice given these repeated rhetorical gaffes, and I cannot wash away the memory stain that is Jeremiah Wright. posted 03/22/2008 at 03:52:08

I agree with nixing caucuses. They are poorly orchestrated and executed, and I would not be surprised if they could be easily manipulated. The fact that Texas has both a primary and a caucus is absolutely ludicrous. What happened to the news story where Obama supporters turned away Clinton supporters from the Texas caucuses? Slap-dash voting practices like this allow unethical people to take advantage and stack the deck. It should be one person, one vote, end of story. All primaries should be held on the same day so that no vote influences any other vote. It's time to bring true fairness to the polls. posted 03/22/2008 at 02:40:26

The state of New Mexico went to Hillary. Bill Richardson's constituents are in New Mexico, and according to his quote, he should have echoed his constituents vote as a superdelegate. posted 03/22/2008 at 02:32:47

Bill Richardson has clearly chosen political opportunity. He isn't adhering to his words about superdelegates reflecting the votes of their constituents. Another politician changing the game to further his career. posted 03/22/2008 at 02:29:22

In your mind, is it irrelevant that Jeremiah Wright is a champion of Louis Farrakhan and a proponent of the Black Value System? Trinity has been moving this information around their website, trying to cloak some of this philosophy, but a web search can reveal what this exclusive system entails. posted 03/22/2008 at 03:22:42

Look at when the videos were posted. Some videos have been posted for a year. This is not new information just because people are finally catching on. posted 03/22/2008 at 03:12:33

I haven't heard one MSM outlet state that the Hillary campaign first posted the videos. I will look for the full, unedited sermons, and see if they sound less caustic and hateful. posted 03/22/2008 at 03:10:10

Perhaps you would like to share your sources of information, outside of the media? Everyone deserves a chance to be enlightened. posted 03/22/2008 at 03:08:16

Obama speak about ethics? 1. Rezko land deal and 20 year friendship 2. Jeremiah Wright- 20 year friendship and espousal of the Black Value System 3. Exelon- provided softball legislation easing nuclear waste disposal protocols. Result: campaign donations for Obama 4. Shaming his own grandmother to vy for political advantage 5. Using race as leverage to win a nomination

I have gone from being utterly inspired by Barack Obama during his keynote address to completely disenchanted with him as a person. No more free passes. If Democrats nominate Obama, he will be soundly defeated by John McCain. McCain has been quiet for now, but all of the above points will be intensely magnified once the Republican attack machine says go. It's the element of surprise that will bring his campaign to a bitter end. DO DEMOCRATS REALLY THINK SOMEONE WITH THIS MANY FLAWS IS VIABLE? Republicans WANT Obama to be the nominee. Every damn day, he's on the television apologizing for offensive comments. We already have someone in office that has a lot of apologizing to do. The American people deserve more than empty apologies. posted 03/22/2008 at 03:05:12

It is wrong for Bill Richardson to say that superdelegates should mirror the votes of their constituents and then, try to turn that quote around and say that he meant the American people, at large. He should have kept his word and voted for the candidate that New Mexico voted for. Instead, it appears he is banking on splitting the ticket with Obama or obtaining a cabinet post under him. These politicians don't stand for anything but themselves.

posted 03/22/2008 at 02:49:07

CNN has an article stating that the contractor who accessed Barack Obama's and John McCain's files is a Barack Obama supporter.

Of course, this information is nowhere on HuffPo. posted 03/23/2008 at 18:52:01