GOP "take pride in being ignorant"

Obama: Republicans take pride in being ignorant

Finally, the truth be told...
BEREA, Ohio (CNN) – For almost a week, John McCain and his campaign have been mocking Barack Obama’s comments to a voter last week in Missouri when he told her to one way to conserve energy is “making sure your tires are properly inflated.”
Read more

Happy Birthday Barack Obama!

This is a note sent to supporters of Barack:

Yesterday, thousands of Hoosiers came together at Campaign for Change Cookouts across the state.

These Cookouts were full of supporters eager to continue building our movement for change by bringing new friends, family, and neighbors to take an active role with them in this exciting process.

Today, August 4th, is a special day as we continue working towards the November election. It's Barack's 47th birthday, and supporters across Indiana are meeting up at their local Campaign for Change offices and reaching out to 47 voters -- either by attending a phonebank, going door-to-door, or registering 47 new voters -- to celebrate Barack's birthday and grow our movement for change.

Indiana Campaign for Change offices are located all across Indiana, and they've quickly become the go-to meeting place for volunteers and supporters who want to get involved.

Find an office in your area and give Barack a special gift -- your time, energy, and commitment to building this movement for change:

http://in.barackobama.com/INoffices

Happy Birthday President Obama! (wouldn't that be the greatest gift ever--campaign support, votes and the Oval Office!)

Obamacons Unite!

I ran across this blog post on Salon.com and just had to highlight the remarks on this day, the Cookout for Change/Barack's Birthday Barbecue Bash!

I work in the insurance industry in downtown Boston. People are staying off the roads in droves thanks to high energy prices and our business is down 40 percent from last year. Since my company has not chosen to diversify its geographic base and since I'm the newest employee in my department and both single and childless, I'm out of a job.
Read more

Ahead in the polls

Presidential Candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), is ahead in the polls. However, for some, that is not good enough.
Why isn't he more ahead in the polls? some ask.
I say what does it matter? He is ahead in the polls.
These arguments, to me, go back to the very idea I personally reject: Blacks have to be twice or four times better than any white person. This goes for running for president, competing for a job, competing for a man etc.
Why can't Black people be like everyone else. Why are Blacks held to a higher standard just to be included?
Only cream of the crop (or very top cream of the crop in Obama's case) need apply.
Really, now. Any other man would be congratulated for running a good race. Why can't this man, Obama?

Barack Obama at Unity 08

On Stands Now...

Monday
What He Believes...
The presumptive Democratic nominee told Senior Editor Lisa Miller and Senior White House Correspondent Richard Wolffe that as a 20-year-old Columbia University student he was torn a million different ways: between youth and maturity, black and white, coasts and continents, wonder and tragedy. "I did a lot of spiritual exploration. I withdrew from the world in a fairly deliberate way," he says. On restless Sunday mornings, while living in New York, he would wander into African-American congregations such as Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. "I'd just sit in the back and I'd listen to the choir and I'd listen to the sermon," he says. "There were times that I would just start tearing up listening to the choir and share that sense of release."

Obama's religious journey is a uniquely American tale. It's one of a seeker, an intellectually curious young man trying to cobble together a religious identity out of myriad influences. Obama embarked on a spiritual quest in which he tried to reconcile his rational side with his yearning for transcendence. He found Christ-but that hasn't stopped him from asking questions. "I'm on my own faith journey and I'm searching," he says. "I leave open the possibility that I'm entirely wrong."

Obama has spoken often and eloquently about the importance of religion in public life. But like many political leaders wary of offending potential backers, he has been less revealing about what he believes-about God, about prayer, about the connection between salvation and personal responsibility. In some respects, his reticence is understandable. Obama's religious biography is unconventional and politically problematic. Born to a Christian-turned-secular mother and a Muslim-turned-atheist African father, Obama grew up living all across the world with plenty of spiritual influences, but without any particular religion. He is now a Christian, having been baptized in the early 1990s at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. But rumors about Obama's religion persist. In the new Newsweek Poll, 12 percent of voters incorrectly believe he's Muslim; more than a quarter believe he was raised in a Muslim home.

The story of Obama's faith begins with his mother, Ann. Raised in the Midwest by two lapsed Christians, she lived and traveled throughout the world appreciating all religions but confessing to none. One of Ann's favorite spiritual texts was "Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth," a set of PBS interviews with Bill Moyers that traces the common themes of religion and mythology, Obama's half sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, tells Newsweek. When the family lived in Indonesia, Ann would take the children to Catholic mass; after returning to Hawaii, they would celebrate Easter and Christmas at United Church of Christ congregations. Ann later went back to Indonesia with Maya, and when Obama visited, they would take him to Borobudur, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the world. "These kinds of experiences were a regular part of our childhood and our upbringing, and were important to [our mother] because they involved ritual," says Maya. "She thought that ritual was very beautiful. The idea of human beings' striving to be better, having the curiosity and questions about all these things, [was] perpetual and constant inside her."

Obama's organizing days in Chicago helped clarify his sense of faith and social action as intertwined. "It's hard for me to imagine being true to my faith-and not thinking beyond myself, and not thinking about what's good for other people, and not acting in a moral and ethical way," he says. When these ideas merged with his more emotional search for belonging, he was able to arrive at the foot of the cross. He "felt God's spirit beckoning me," he writes in his book "The Audacity of Hope." "I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth." The cross under which Obama went to Jesus was at the controversial Trinity United Church of Christ led by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. "That community of faith suited me," Obama says. At the point of his decision to accept Christ, Obama says, "what was intellectual and what was emotional joined, and the belief in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, that he died for our sins, that through him we could achieve eternal life-but also that, through good works we could find order and meaning here on Earth and transcend our limits and our flaws and our foibles-I found that powerful."

But Obama's faith is not without its critics. Some on the right say his particular brand of Christianity is a modern amalgam-unorthodox, undisciplined, even insincere. Last month Dr. James Dobson accused Obama of "deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own world view, his own confused theology." The campaign responded that Obama was reaching out to people of faith and standing up for families.

Since severing ties with Wright and Trinity, Obama is a little spiritually rootless again. He lost a friend in Wright-and he lost a home, however tenuous those ties may have been toward the end, in Trinity. He has not found a new church, and he doesn't plan to look for one until after the election. "There's an aspect of the campaign process that would not make it a good time to figure out whether a particular church community worked for us," he says. "Because of what happened at Trinity, we'd be under a spotlight."

Nevertheless, his spiritual life on the campaign trail survives through prayer and reading the bible. And although he and Michelle do not have a systematic course of religious study for their daughters, "we say grace at the table. They are inquiring minds, so whenever they have a question about God or faith, then I have a conversation with them," he says. "I'm a big believer in a faith that is not imposed but taps into what's already there, their curiosity or their spirit."

Polls: Obama ahead by eight

Obama is up over McCain in the latest CNN poll of polls.
(CNN) — As the dog days of summer set in and Americans take a break from the daily political band-and-forth, a new CNN analysis of several recent national opinion surveys show Barack Obama with a sizeable lead over John McCain.
Read more

Obama, Clinton host fundraisers

BUTTE, Montana (CNN) — Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will appear together at three fund-raisers next week in New York, an Obama spokeswoman said.
Two of the fund-raisers are Wednesday night. Thursday morning, they'll also appear together at a women's fund-raising breakfast for Obama. The events are private.
Read more

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama, speaking on board his campaign plane as it headed to St. Louis on Saturday, continued to defend his position on Iraq — and questioned reporters' parsing of his words.
Read more

Nomination acceptance speech may be at Denver stadium

Call it location, location, location.

Barack Obama's campaign is thinking of having the Democratic presidential candidate give his presidential nomination acceptance speech at a football stadium rather than in the arena in Denver, Colorado, where the Democratic National Convention is being held
Read more

Obama response to jobs loss report

As we head into the 4th of July weekend, today's report that our economy has lost another 62,000 jobs is a stark reminder that far too many Americans will spend this holiday out of work and struggling to provide for their families because of the failed policies of the last eight years.

Read more

Social Infrastructure: Can We Measure Change?

As fiscal constraints force the federal government to make difficult choices about which programs to fund, a new MacArthur initiative is using research and benefit-cost analysis to strengthen the case for more evidence-based policy making.

The Power of Measuring Social Benefits is a $35 million policy research initiative that seeks to challenge the view that social spending is too often wasteful and ineffective. Its intention is to strengthen the case for social policy making that is more firmly grounded in evidence-of-effectiveness and complementary benefits to recipients and society.

"U.S. leadership is essential to building a better, safer world,”
said MacArthur President Jonathan Fanton in a recent address May 22
to the City Club of Chicago.
“The MacArthur Foundation is hoping for a new day in America’s relations with the world: a spirit of partnership, a willingness to engage, an openness to dialogue, a determination to regain its leadership in setting norms that call forth humankind’s best values,” he said.

However, measuring social mobility was only one of the issues
discussed Thursday at the Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at an Economic Competitiveness Summit.
Presumptive Presidential Candidate (D) Sen. Barack Obama (IL), after addressing the crowd, led a lively and informative panel discussion in how to keep America competitive.
The panel touched on a five-point 21st Century plan developed by Obama that focuses on energy, education, healthcare, infrastructure and innovation.

"These challenges are real. How we deal with them will shape the prosperity of every single American and the future of America's leadership," Obama said.

Members of the panel agreed with the plan in whole, adding that investing in early education to correct the parent knowledge deficit that is often blamed for a child's slow start in kindergarten.
Life decisions made by parents negatively affect children. An education system comparable to private, upper class education is needed.

A panel member observed that intellectualizing the country could help to change the way Americans think about improving social infrastructure. Minds and behaviors have to change about education and teaching in order for the country to move forward.

However, with that, a workforce changing from a service based economy to knowledge based, needs thought and a plan. A panel member said only 8 of the country's 30 fastest growing industries require an education. The panel member did not clarify whether or not those industries are service based or knowledge based.
Obama said school curriculum should match industry needs.

Decisions in healthcare include how to insure the steel industry's workforce and keep its promises to retirees. A U.S. Steel executive said retiree healthcare costs tops $500 million and climbs higher each year, by 10 to 15 percent.

On campaign financing: Obama

In Florida, looking for a smart energy strategy, questions Friday
about opting out of public funds use in his campaign cropped up
during Sen. Obama's session with reporters.
Sen. Obama doesn't want special interest money--and that is history
making.
"(To)free ourselves from dependence on special interest and lobbyists,"
is the reason for a decision not to use public funds--which are a mix of sometimes unidentifiable funding sources.
"That is not a recipe for reform," Obama told reporters.
So what is all of the fuss about? Obama is still committed to fixing the system. John McCain wants to limit however, the amount of funding Obama gets to use.
Republicans don't want Obama to get his message out--the message of
Change in states that traditionally are GOP territory--according to Jack Cafferty--sort of.
Sen. Obama made his comments from Jacksonville, FL after addressing a group there.
It looks like Sen. Obama is in it to win it.
When it was advantageous to McCain, he considered opting out of the
public finance system but I guess he changed his mind.
Sen. Obama also wondered aloud why McCain talked about trade Friday in Canada instead of Ohio or Michigan. Retooling NAFTA was an issue during the February Democratic debate co-moderated by the late Tim Russert.
We all have our own road to achieveing the American Dream.
"I come to politics because my own story. I wasn't born into wealth or privilege but was given extraordinary opportunity...the country allows you to make it if you try. I think it is the essence of the American dream and I think that dream is slipping away. It is the American Dream we are fighting for in this election," Sen. Obama said.

Watch Sen. Obama live!

Webcast by Ustream.TV
Obama, Clinton back together again
CHICAGO - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's campaign announced Friday that he will campaign with former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton next week, a step toward unifying a fractured Democratic Party after a bruising primary fight.
Obama's campaign said in a brief e-mail that said the two senators and former opponents will campaign together for the first time on Friday, June 27, and more details would be forthcoming.

Read more

Obama Campaigns on Capitol Hill

Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is launching an aggressive Capitol Hill campaign to bring former supporters of vanquished primary rival Hillary Rodham Clinton fully into his camp.

read more | digg story

Related news story

Al Gore to Endorse Presumptive Dem. Presidential Nominee, Barack Obama

LIVE TONIGHT -- 8:30 p.m. EDT: Watch streaming video of Al Gore and Barack Obama at a rally in Detroit, Michigan:

and he said in an e-mail...

"A few hours from now I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.

Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges -- including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.
This moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.
Live Streaming by Ustream.TV
...Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.
With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country's most pressing problems.

On the issues that matter most, Barack Obama is clearly the right choice to lead our nation.
We have a lot of work to do in the next few months to elect Barack Obama president, and it begins by making a contribution to this campaign today.

Thank you for joining me,
Al Gore

watch streaming video
Show your appreciation

Obama criticizes McCain on economy and gas prices

During his speech,presumptive democratic nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, told the audience he plans to institute a $1,000 tax cut to 95 percent of workers in the country and eliminate income tax for low income retirees--all funded in part with the tax cuts intended for big oil.
Obama said Sen. John McCain is in favor of a $1.2 billion tax cut for Exxon Mobile.

"At a time when we're fighting two wars, when millions of Americans can't afford their medical bills or their tuition bills, when we're paying more than $4 a gallon for gas, the man who rails against government spending wants to spend $1.2 billion on a tax break for Exxon Mobil," Obama said. "That isn't just irresponsible. It's outrageous."

Obama also said he plans to institute a credit card bill of rights with a five star rating system so that consumers can rate the savings between card offers themselves.


read more | digg story

Obama Celebrates Win By Riding Bike

After a protracted, difficult campaign, Obama has finally won the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. So how did he celebrate? According to the Associated Press, the Senator took the weekend off and "joined family and neighbors for a bicycle ride along the shores of Lake Michigan on Sunday.

read more | digg story

Democratic Presidential Nominee, Barack Obama, on Sen. Hillary Clinton's endorsement speech

-Read this. He will be our nation's next president...

"Hillary Clinton announced her support for our campaign today.
Senator Clinton made history over the past 16 months -- not just because she has broken barriers, but because she has inspired millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to causes like universal health care that make a difference in the lives of hardworking Americans."

"Our party and our country are stronger because of the work she has done throughout her life, and I'm a better candidate for having had the privilege of competing with her."

"Senator Clinton will be invaluable to our efforts to win in November, and I look forward to campaigning alongside her to bring this country the change it so desperately needs."

"Hillary and her supporters are joining us at an urgent moment.
It's going to require a new level of commitment from every single one of us to build a national campaign in the general election.
And we're going win this election the right way -- by growing our grassroots network of ordinary people giving only what they can afford."

"It's time for all of us to come together to take on John McCain in the general election. John McCain offers another four years of George Bush's policies, which our country simply cannot afford.
To win, we must continue building an unprecedented organization in all 50 states. And that will only happen if we all work together, side-by-side."

"Together we can do more than just win an election. Together we can change this country, and we can change the world.
And we are honored to have Hillary Clinton at our side as we do it."

Barack

Obama makes history, clinches nomination

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, seizing a place in American history on the final day of a grueling five-month primary that forced him to battle rival Hillary Clinton to the very end.

read more | digg story

Why Vote Democrat?

"House Democrats are introducing the New GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century to honor the bravery of our troops and the tremendous sacrifices that their families have made. The New GI Bill will repeal unfair tax burdens on military families, provide Veterans with the benefits they deserve like affordable health care, education and job training, strengthen our support for our men and women in uniform and improve benefits for our National Guard/Reservists."
--from the web site of Congressman George Miller (D-California, 7th Congressional District)

Why doesn't McCain support this bill? The G.I. Bill was in full effect when he was in the active military. Isn't his constituancy suffering? Don't they matter?

Sen. Obama cares and is backing this bill.

"That's why I've pledged to build a 21st century VA as President. It means no more red tape - it's time to give every service-member electronic copies of medical and service records upon discharge. It means no more shortfalls - we'll fully fund VA health care, and add more Vet Centers, particularly in rural areas. It means no more delays - we'll pass on-time budgets. It means no more means-testing - it's time to allow every veteran into the VA system. And it means we'll have a simple principle for veterans sleeping on our streets: zero tolerance. As President, I'll build on the work I started in the Senate and expand housing vouchers, and launch a new supportive services housing program to prevent at-risk veterans and their families from sliding into homelessness."
--from the web site of Sen. Barack Obama

What else is Barack doing?

Obama Demands VA Investigate Allegations of PTSD Misdiagnoses to Reduce Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama sent the following letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake, calling on him to investigate reports that a psychologist at a Texas Veterans Affairs (VA) facility told staff members to refrain from diagnosing veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in order to reduce costs. According to today's Washington Post, the psychologist, Ms. Norma Perez, apparently emailed Teague Center staff members suggesting the alternative diagnosis to limit the number of tests required to diagnose PTSD. Since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began, thousands of service members have returned home suffering from combat-related psychological injuries like PTSD, which require much-needed treatment.