Obama at Fort Hood

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

"Birthers" on the Hill

Awesome video!!

Obama meets with Peterson, Klobuchar and North Dakota delegation

From the Fargo Forum

“As we go through this, he’s prepared to stand with us to make sure we have full recovery,” Conrad said. “We’ve got full support now of the Obama administration.”

The federal aid will cover 75 percent of the costs incurred by state and local government from flood-fighting efforts. And it could include more.

“What the total costs are at this point are dependent on the outcome of the fight,” Conrad said.

Their 15-minute meeting with the president Wednesday, which took place in the ceremonial vice president’s office at the Capitol, also included North Dakota U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan.

“He’s pledged all of the support of his administration and indicated he’s prepared to do whatever is necessary to help the region recover from this flood,” Dorgan said.

Minnesota U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Collin Peterson also were at the meeting, though the federal disaster aid is directed at North Dakota

On Obama's NCAA Picks

Apparently, some people are pretty ticked off that President Obama took 10 minutes of his time and made some NCAA predictions.

Get over it.

When "W" was filling out his NCAA brackets over the past 8 years, he ran with his Number 1 seeds like, God, Big Oil, 9-11, and Compassionate Conservatism, while things like the middle class, the Constitution, and our nations Veterans made early exits.

I think President Bush spent more time reading "My Pet Goat" than President Obama spent picking his NCAA brackets...

President Obama's weekly address

You have to love this. He's pretty aggressive here...

Mayor's email depicts White House lawn with watermelons

Wow. Is it really 2009?

Oh Bobby...

After watching Governor and Former Congressman Bobby Jindal I gotta say...

Wow.

What a frickin hypocrite.

In 2005 and 2006, then Congressman Jindal voted for EVERY spending bill in Congress except for one, and actually, that was an amendment. Yep, the staunch fiscal conservative who wants to lessen the burden on our kids, voted against an amendment that would restore funding for Public Radio.

That's it! There was no other wasteful spending in 2005 or 2006 other than an amendment to restore Public Radio funding?

The phrase "half of Louisiana being under water and the other half under indictment" comes to mind...

As a member of our Statewide Student Association, we actively lobbied against the Budget Reconciliation Act of 2005. Jindal voted for that too...and thus supported:

$11.4 Billion in cuts in Medicaid and SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program)
$14.3 Billion in cuts in Student Loans
$1.8 Billion in cuts in Farm and conservation programs
$3.2 Billion from repeal of Byrd Amendment that provides aid to local employers hurt by foreign trade violators

After Democrats gained control of Congress after the 2006 elections Jindal's voting record took an interesting turn.

The man so worried about the burden on our nations kids, supported spending bills 9 times, opposed them 15 times, and had the courage to not even vote 29 times.

So while Republicans chastise President Obama for voting present on a handful of votes, their new poster child for fiscal conservatism, failed to even vote 29 times.

He failed to vote on 53% of spending bills in 2007.

And this is the guy the GOP sent up to scold Democrats?

Army of Dude's Letter to President Obama

As per usual, Alex over at AoD rocks! His letter to President Obama and the use of the Individual Ready Reserve is spot on.

For years, you have spoken extensively about the need for a more robust civil service program in the country. I cannot think of a greater civil service than serving in the military, especially in a time of war. For eight years, soldiers have sacrificed their bodies, minds, and in the most tragic of cases, their lives, to complete the mission. We have stared into the black abyss of war to see an inner reflection of triumph and tragedy. There are pieces of us, physical and otherwise, that are left on the battlefield forever. That is what we gave up for this nation. Now that the war in Iraq is coming to a close, it's time to end the recalls immediately. Every soldier in the military stands ready to report, mobilize and deploy in any corner of the world in 96 hours or less. The abrupt cancellation of the Presidential Reserve Call Up Authority and subsequent orders would seem effortless in comparison to what soldiers stand ready for each and every day.

The issue of the IRR has a direct impact here in Minnesota.

I know one Iraq War Veteran from Dassel who has gotten IRR orders.

Back when this whole clusterf@#k started, I received calls from Army recruiters telling me to join a local National Guard or Army Reserve unit so that I could deploy to Iraq with people I know, and not be subject to the randomness of the IRR. They tried to put the fear of God in me.

The only hitch in their plan was that I had already served more than 8 years and was not subject to IRR call up. It was just another Bush Company ploy to lure folks to fight his bullshit war.

Alex is right.

The IRR madness needs to stop.

I'm Speechless

"There is very little standing room from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol"

I Voted For Change

Bluewoman and I were in line before 7am this morning, getting ready to vote for change.

I was the 10th person to cast my vote in town today. I held true to my conscience and voted for Obama, Barkley, Tinklenberg, and Dave Detert.

I also voted no on the Constitutional Amendment as I think the legislature ought to have a little courage and actually pass it without the need for an amendment. I just don't think this stuff should go in the Constitution.

Anyway, it's going to be an interesting day!

Obama Sign Defaced With KKK

And they left a dead raccoon...

From the Annandale Advocate

Sick...just sick!

Obama Leads in North Dakota!

Wow, North Dakota has not gone Democrat in the Presidential election since 1964!

John McCain is in serious trouble...

Tim and Marcus Penny Op-Ed

It's an interesting op ed.

Congressman Penny supports John McCain. His son Marcus supports Obama. Both support Dean Barkley and Tim Walz.

For the past few months, our front lawn right here in the middle of Waseca has probably left passersby a bit confused. Side by side stand two opposing signs: one for Barack Obama, the other for John McCain. While the debate might be heating up on cable news, in campaign commercials and in the blogosphere, things have stayed relatively cool in our home.

Yes, we view the Presidential candidates differently. One of us (guess who?) went to Congress with John McCain in 1982, has worked with McCain on budget issues, and respects McCain’s genuine ability to be a maverick who works across the political aisle to get things done. One of us is excited about the promise of an historic Obama presidency — believing that it represents a forward looking agenda and a break from the disastrous Bush foreign and economic policies.

Every day, we discuss the campaign, the polls, and the latest tactics being employed by the candidates. We can agree that McCain is a true patriot who served our country with honor in the military and in the Senate. We can agree that Obama represents a new generation of leadership who inspires many (including young Americans) with his hopeful message of change. We can agree that McCain clearly has the strongest record of bi-partisanship. And, we can agree that Obama made the stronger choice for a vice-presidential running mate. In all, on the presidential race, when we don’t agree, we have managed to disagree without being disagreeable.

That is possible, in part, because we don’t disagree on everything. Our ballots on November 4th might look different at the top, but there are other candidates who will be receiving our undivided support.

We both support the Independent candidate for the U. S. Senate, Dean Barkley. Especially as the other two candidates increase the volume and the ferocity of their attack ads, it seems ever more important to send a message that “enough is enough!” Barkley served a mere two months in the Senate after the untimely death of Senator Paul Wellstone. But in that time, he cast a vote for an important trade bill, weighed-in on legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security, negotiated a waiver from the federal government so that Minnesota could continue its successful welfare to work program, and secured funding for the Wellstone Community Center in Saint Paul. Not too shabby. We believe he looks pretty good in comparison to the other candidates.

We also endorse the same candidate for Congress, incumbent Tim Walz. One of us (guess who?) worked as an intern for the Congressman for six months and saw firsthand the idealism, enthusiasm, and energy that Walz brought to the office. Both of us have been impressed with Walz’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and “pay-as-you-go” budget rules. We have watched as he led his fellow freshmen in re-establishing much-needed strict ethics policies for Congress. We applauded his recent efforts to build bi-partisan support for ambitious energy policies that will lead to energy independence for our nation. His record reflects common sense and good judgment. We both believe he has represented southern Minnesota well and deserves a second term.

So, that is the view from our house - just in case you haven’t yet noticed the signs in our yard.

Tim Penny is a Waseca resident and regular Community Perspectives columnist. His son Marcus is 23 years old and studies political science at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

An Obama Flashback

I remember watching this speech back in 2004. I was awestruck by Obama then and continue to be now.

Years ago, back in my MSUSA days, a group of us were lurking downstairs on the Senate side of the Capitol, taking a few minutes to check out the train that takes Senators to and from the Capitol.

All the sudden, from around the corner, Senator Obama appeared. He was larger than life for us political junkies from Minnesota. He took a minute to talk to us and we snapped a photo of him with one of our students, from Illinois. It was a pretty freakin awesome experience.

So, here's a taste of what's coming for us now. Obama's speech tonight was absolutely powerful. Obama is one of only a few politicians who have ever given me goosebumps when they spoke.

The other politician that immediately comes to mind is Paul Wellstone.

So, check out the 2004 DNC video...for many of us, the start of our love for Barack Obama.

Obama: Hugs and Hand Pounds (Updated)

Bluewoman called me when Obama clinched the nomination. I arrived home just in time to watch the speech.

I have to say, I loved the Obama's "handpound" after the hug!

It's a historic night in St Paul! Enjoy it, because here comes the fight!

*Update*: Obama is on his A game tonight. I am absolutely filled with goosebumps, that was an amazing speech tonight.

I remember seeing Obama speak at the 2006 Humphrey Day dinner, BB (Before Bluewoman). He did not disappoint them, he did not now.

Bluewoman just told me that Obama's speech was "better than chocolate".

Obama picks up a Super Superdelegate

Our friend Nancy Larson has announced her support of Barack Obama.

Nancy Larson, of Dassel, a Democratic National Committee member, told The Associated Press she decided to support Obama because his campaign will bring new people into the political process, and she believes he has the best chance of winning in November.

"It's looking more and more that the one person who can do it is Barack Obama," Larson said.

Obama Adopting National Initiative. Gravel to Drop Out of Race

Found this interesting story this morning!



PHILADELPHIA — Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Mike Gravel has announced his intention to drop out of the presidential race after meeting with Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama. Gravel, who switched parties to run as a Libertarian on March 26th, stated that his decision was the result of a pledge from Obama to adopt the National Initiative for Democracy.

The National Initiative, which would allow citizens to propose, alter, or nullify laws in conjunction with traditional legislative bodies, has been the cornerstone of Gravel's presidential run.

During his run for the Democratic nomination, Senator Gravel had accused Obama of being beholden to "corporatocracy" and "the military-industrial complex". While downplaying his previous denunciations as water under the bridge, Gravel did admit that strong disagreements still exist between him and the Senator from Illinois. This apparent chasm was highlighted by Gravel's insistence that he would turn down any offer to be in Barack Obama's cabinet should he become president.

A senior aide to the Obama campaign, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was premature to comment on the specific role Gravel would play in an Obama administration, but did state that the former senator from Alaska would be involved in creating an agency called The United States Electoral Trust, which would administer the legislative power of citizens at the federal level.

The aide also stressed the importance of the National Initiative in setting the Obama campaign apart from that of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. "Countries like Switzerland have shown that federal ballot initiatives can produce sound lawmaking," she said. "It's time that a major candidate for president got behind a serious proposal to entrust the people with the same power we place in the hands of our elected leaders. By adopting the National Initiative, Senator Obama is sending a clear signal that he trusts the American people to have a more direct role in their government."

Before announcing his intent to bow out of the race for the presidency, Senator Gravel discussed his meeting with Barack Obama. "Stop and think," Gravel told reporters. "This is a real chance to empower the American people by giving them the ability to make laws. 24 states already have ballot initiatives that give the people the same power as their representatives without dramatically changing the way our government works."

Senator Barack Obama was unavailable for comment, but the meeting was confirmed by a spokesperson for his campaign, who said that Obama was "looking forward" to working with the former senator in order to "show that Americans are serious about democracy".

*Updated*

New video commentary!

Olbermann on Clinton scandal

Powerful video!



Full transcript from MSNBC.

By way of necessary preface, President and Sen. Clinton, and the senator’s mother, and the senator’s brother, were of immeasurable support to me at the moments when these very commentaries were the focus of the most surprise, the most uncertainty, and the most anger. My gratitude to them is abiding.

Also, I am not here endorsing Sen. Obama’s nomination, nor suggesting it is inevitable.

Thus I have fought with myself over whether or not to say anything.

Senator, as it has reached its apex in their tone-deaf, arrogant and insensitive reaction to the remarks of Geraldine Ferraro, your own advisers are slowly killing your chances to become president.

Senator, their words, and your own, are now slowly killing the chances for any Democrat to become president.

In your tepid response to this Ferraro disaster, you may sincerely think you are disenthralling an enchanted media and righting an unfair advance bestowed on Sen. Obama.

You may think the matter has closed with Rep. Ferraro’s bitter, almost threatening resignation.

But in fact, Senator, you are now campaigning as if Barack Obama were the Democrat and you were the Republican.

As Shakespeare wrote, Senator, that way madness lies.

You have missed a critical opportunity to do what was right.

No matter what Ms. Ferraro now claims, no one took her comments out of context.

She had made them on at least three separate occasions, then twice more on television this morning.

Just hours ago, on NBC Nightly News, she denied she had made the remarks in an interview; only at a paid political speech.

In fact, the first time she spoke them, was 10 days before the California newspaper published them, not in a speech, but in a radio interview.

On Feb. 26, “If Barack Obama were a white man, would we be talking about this, as a potential real problem for Hillary? If he were a woman of any color, would he be in this position that he’s in? Absolutely not.”

The context was inescapable.

Two minutes earlier, a member of Sen. Clinton’s Finance Committee, one of her “Hill-Raisers,” had bemoaned the change in allegiance by superdelegate John Lewis from Clinton to Obama, and the endorsement of Obama by Sen. Dodd.

“I look at these guys doing it,” she had said, “and I have to tell you, it’s the guys sticking together.”

A minute after the “color” remarks, she was describing herself as having been chosen for the 1984 Democratic ticket purely as a woman politician, purely to make history.

She was, in turn, making a blind accusation of sexism and dismissing Sen. Obama’s candidacy as nothing more than an Equal Opportunity stunt.

The next day she repeated her comments to a reporter from the newspaper in Torrance, Calif.

“If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.”

And when this despicable statement, ugly in its overtones, laughable in its weak grip of facts and moronic in the historical context, when it floats outward from the Clinton campaign like a poison cloud, what do the advisers have their candidate do?

Do they have Sen. Clinton herself compare the remark to Al Campanis talking on Nightline on Jackie Robinson day about how blacks lacked the necessities to become baseball executivesMost-Networked-Executives , while she points out that Barack Obama has not gotten his 1,600 delegates as part of some kind of affirmative action plan?

Do they have Sen. Clinton note that her own brief period in elected office is as irrelevant to the issue of judgment as is Sen. Obama’s while she points out that FDR had served only six years as a governor and state senator before he became president?

Or that Teddy Roosevelt had four-and-a-half years before the White House?

Or that Woodrow Wilson had two years and six weeks?

Or Richard Nixon, 14, and Calvin Coolidge, 25?

Do these advisers have Sen. Clinton invoke Samantha Power, gone by sunrise after she used the word “monster” and have Sen. Clinton say, “This is how I police my campaign, and this is what I stand for,” while she fires former Congresswoman Ferraro from any role in the campaign?

No.

Somebody tells her that simply disagreeing with and rejecting the remarks is sufficient.

And that she should then call them “regrettable,” a word that should make any Democrat retch.

And that she should then try to twist them, first into some pox-on-both-your-houses plea to "stick to the issues," and then to let her campaign manager try to bend them beyond all recognition, into Sen. Obama’s fault.

And thus these advisers give Congresswoman Ferraro nearly a week in which to send Sen. Clinton’s campaign back into the vocabulary ... of David Duke.

“Any time anybody does anything that in any way pulls this campaign down and says let’s address reality and the problems we’re facing in this world, you’re accused of being racist, so you have to shut up.

“Racism works in two different directions. I really think they’re attacking me because I’m white.

“How’s that?”

How’s that?

Apart from sounding exactly like Rush Limbaugh attacking the black football quarterback Donovan McNabb?

Apart from sounding exactly like what Ms. Ferraro said about another campaign, nearly 20 years ago?

“President Reagan suggested Tuesday that people don’t ask Jackson tough questions because of his race. And former representative Geraldine A. Ferraro (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that because of his ‘radical’ views, ‘if Jesse Jackson were not black, he wouldn’t be in the race.’”

So, apart from sounding like insidious racism that is at least two decades old?

Apart from rendering ridiculous Sen. Clinton’s shell-game about choosing Obama as vice president?

Apart from this evening’s resignation letter?

“I am stepping down from your finance committee so I can speak for myself and you can continue to speak for yourself about what is at stake in this campaign.

“The Obama campaign is attacking me to hurt you.”

Apart from all that?

Well. It sounds as if those advisers want their campaign to be associated with those words, and the cheap, ignorant, vile racism that underlies every syllable.

And Geraldine Ferraro has just gone free-lance.

Sen. Clinton:This is not a campaign strategy. This is a suicide pact.

This week alone, your so-called strategists have declared that Sen. Obama has not yet crossed the “commander-in-chief threshold.”

But he might be your choice to be vice president, even though a quarter of the previous sixteen vice presidents have become commander-in-chief during the greatest kind of crisis this nation can face: a mid-term succession.

But you’d only pick him if he crosses that threshold by the time of the convention.

But if he does cross that threshold by the time of the convention, he will only have done so sufficiently enough to become vice president, not president.

Senator, if the serpentine logic of your so-called advisers were not bad enough ...

Now, thanks to Geraldine Ferraro, and your campaign’s initial refusal to break with her, and your new relationship with her, now more disturbing still is her claim that she can now “speak for herself” about her vision of Sen. Obama as some kind of embodiment of a quota.

If you were to seek Obama as a vice president, it would be, to Ms. Ferraro, some kind of social engineering gesture, some kind of racial make-good.

Do you not see, Senator?

To Sen. Clinton’s supporters, to her admirers, to her friends for whom she is first choice, and to her friends for whom she is second choice, she is still letting herself be perceived as standing next to, and standing by, racial divisiveness and blindness.

And worst yet, after what President Clinton said during the South Carolina primary, comparing the Obama and Jesse Jackson campaigns; a disturbing, but only borderline remark.

After what some in the black community have perceived as a racial undertone to the “3 A.M.” ad, a disturbing but only borderline interpretation ...

And after that moment’s hesitation in her own answer on 60 Minutes about Obama’s religion; a disturbing, but only borderline vagueness ...

After those precedents, there are those who see a pattern, false or true.

After those precedents, there are those who see an intent, false or true.

After those precedents, there are those who see the Clinton campaign’s anything-but-benign neglect of this Ferraro catastrophe, falsely or truly, as a desire to hear the kind of casual prejudice that still haunts this society voiced and to not distance the campaign from it.

To not distance you from it, Senator!

To not distance you from that which you as a woman, and Sen. Obama as an African-American, should both know and feel with the deepest of personal pain!

Which you should both fight with all you have!

Which you should both ensure has no place in this contest!

This, Sen. Clinton, is your campaign, and it is your name.

Grab the reins back from whoever has led you to this precipice, before it is too late.

Voluntarily or inadvertently, you are still awash in this filth.

Your only reaction has been to disagree, reject, and to call it regrettable.

Her only reaction has been to brand herself as the victim, resign from your committee and insist she will continue to speak.

Unless you say something definitive, Senator, the former congresswoman is speaking with your approval.

You must remedy this.

And you must reject and denounce Geraldine Ferraro.

Good Night and Good Luck

Congressman Steve King's fearmongering

Saw this this morning on CNN. Incredible!

February 5th Caucus: Obama, Nelson-Pallmeyer, Olson

"Its been suggested to me that Party unity is more important the the democratic rights of our delegates. It's not. You have a decision to make. Don't vote for us because you think were perfect. Don't vote for us because of what we might be able to do for you. Vote for the person who shares your ideals, your hopes, your dreams. Vote for the person who most embodies what you believe we need to keep our nation strong and free and when you have done that, you can go back to Seattle, and Boston, to Miami, to Tulsa, to Chicago and Atlanta with your head held high and say I am a member of the Democratic Party!"

I wish a real Democratic candidate had said this, but the quote above is from West Wing, Matthew Santos' sppech before the Democratic Convention.

With Caucuses coming up this Tuesday, I will be supporting these candidates at the caucuses and the conventions in March, April, and June (should I get that far).

These candidates embody what I believe we need to keep our nation strong.

They share my hopes, dreams, and values.

They help to inspire me to continue to stand up and keep fighting as a "Blue man" living in a "Red District".

President: Barack Obama

The last 8 years of the Bush Administration have put the squeeze on working and middle class Americans. It was 4 years ago when I first witnessed the power of Obama. Watching the Democratic National Convention, I witnessed his rousing speech.

More than anything, its a message of hope. His campaign will bring more young people to the Democratic Party. I'm ready for change! I am ready for Barack Obama to be our President.

US Senate: Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer

His grassroots campaign snatched me up. I've now seen him at 4 separate DFL events throughout the area, never having someone else represent him, but actually showing up and holding a conversation with the people.

His events are a conversation. As a professor, it would be easy for him to speak down to us as though we are students but Jack's relaxed style breaks down barriers. His vast knowledge on the important issues of the day solidified my support.

He does not merely speak of a problem. He talks about how Senator Nelson-Pallmeyer would fix it. How he would advocate for us in Washington.



Congress, 6th CD: Bob Olson

I have not always been a Bob Olson guy. I was leaning Bob Hill early on. I support candidates of the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party. Olson's one of those guys.

I tend to be more attracted to fire and brimstone liberals, progressives who can jump, yell, chant and rile up a crowd. Following the Olson campaign for several months now, I have truly found that strong and impactful progressives do not need those qualities to be successful.

Olson is grounded in his strong progressive principles. He has the backbone to advocate for us in Washington.



His campaign organization is attractive to me as well. Having ran a race on progressive issues in a not so progressive district, I understand the difficulties of these races. Having Congressional campaigns that pull more resources out of these tough areas makes it tougher on the local races.

Olson's outreach into these areas and their support has been amazing. He's truly party building.

I will caucus for these 3 candidates as far as I can. They are true progressives who push a strong message of change.

I'm ready for some real change around here.

Are you?