Happy Thanksgiving from Sarah Palin

This video speaks for itself. Happy Thanksgiving!

Obama's takes on Economic Recovery

Barack Obama is taking over the economic recovery plan and turning in the opposite direction. Obama is moving in a direction that was opposed by Bush and the Bush White House. Obama is promoting multi-billion dollar economic stimulus package that the Bush said he would have vetoed (Politico.com). Obama is hoping his solution will create or save about 2.5 million jobs by putting money into infrastructure (politico.com). "People should understand that help is on the way," Obama said on Wednesday. "I hope everybody understands that we are going to be able to get through these difficult times. We just have to make some good choices." (politico.com) Even though Obama has said "there is only one president at a time, that president is George W. Bush, and he will be president until I'm sworn in on Jan. 20," the market seems to be listening to Obama over Bush (politico.com). The stock market had four consective days of gains as Obama laid out his economic plan








For more information:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/16023.html

Weekly You Tube Address

Obama will continue to reach his gigantic online community through a weekly YouTube address. He is attempting to fulfill his promise to be the first "Internet President" (politico.com). The you tube address is part of a larger plan to make the White House more accessible and change communication between the white house and the American people. Obama is attempting to somewhat eliminate the media middleman and make his case directly to the American people (usnews). On November 15 he delivered a radio address and was recorded as he delivered the remarks (usnews). The video was posted to change.gov and picked up by youtube (usnews). "As of yesterday, over a million people had viewed Obama's first YouTube address since his election, which was released on Nov. 15" (politico.com). Obama is the first president to really understand the power of the internet and has the ability to harness it to his advantage.





For more information:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15971.html

http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/11/25/for-obama-governing-in-the-age-of-youtube.html

Emanuel Open to GOP Ideas

Barack Obama's new chief executive said the administration would work with Republicans and "welcomes their ideas" on how to resolve the financial crisis (polico.com). Emanuel met with Mitch McConnel (minority leader) for about 30 minutes. He is also going to meet with Mike Pense and Eric Cantor (politico.com). Emanuel said that in the past two weeks he had met with at least 24 Republicans to discuss bipartisan cooperation (politico.com). After his meeting with McConnel Emanuel said that "It's challenging times economically. The middle class is working harder, earning less and paying more. The challenges facing the country require that people of both parties work together to solve those problems" "I told them that I welcome their ideas, be that in their area of education, health care, taxes, energy policy, national security," Emanuel added. "Give us those ideas, because we are formulating what we're going to do in the Obama administration" (politico.com).




http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/1108/Emanuel_on_GOP_We_welcome_their_ideas.html

Vetting Includes Quiz on Guns

Barack Obama's transition team is asking potential appointees detailed questions about gun ownership (politico.com). This is just one aspect of the very lengthy questioner for potential applicants. The National Rifle Association has criticized the questions and one Republican Senator is considering legislation that would make sure no one could be denied employment in the Obama administration based on gun ownership (poltico.com). Obama's transition team would not comment as to why they included the question but one aid did say “The intent of the gun question is to determine legal permitting” (politico.com). The gun question asks “Do you or any members of your immediate family own a gun? If so, provide complete ownership and registration information. Has the registration ever lapsed? Please also describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injuries or property damage” (politico.com). In general gun advocates want Obama to know they are unhappy with this type of question.







http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15835.html

Bill Clinton Transparency

Apparently, Bill Clinton is able and willing to give up his foreign income (poltico.com). Of the $111 million the Clintons have got since Bill Clinton left the white house, a little over $8 million came from foreign sources according to the Clinton's tax return (politico.com). Their foreign income came from President Clinton's speeches and from a "blind trust" (politico.com). If Hillary was to accept the position as Secretary of State she would not be able to receive most outside earning and her husband could as long as she can demonstrate it does not conflict with her job (politico.com). Bill Clinton has agreed to make public all donors to is foundation and clearing future activities with the Obama administration (washingtonpost.com). Neither side as commented on the situation. Bill Clinton said he'd do "whatever they want" with respect to the vetting process and information he'd have to disclose to the Obama administration to help Hillary Clinton become Obama's secretary of state (huffington.com). Clinton also agreed to make his Clinton Global Initiative an organization independent from the Clinton Foundation, and the former president would not participate in future gatherings, the source said. "There's just a concern about foreign governments being involved or it being too closely aligned with him," the source said (washingtonpost.com).







For more information:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15783.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15804.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/11/19/bill_clinton_offers_concession.html?hpid=topnews

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/19/bill-clinton-ill-do-whate_n_144994.html

Prop 8 Passes

The measure that bans same-sex marriage in the state in the form of a constitutional amendment passed with 52.2 percent of the vote in favor to the 47.5 percent of votes against it (sfgate.com).

Prop. 8 supporters won a surprisingly widespread victory Tuesday, winning almost everywhere in the state but in the Bay Area and a few other counties (sfgate.com).

After losing on Tuesday, gay rights supporters filed three lawsuits Wednesday hoping that California's Supreme Court will overturn Proposition 8 (latimes.com). The suits and lawyers argue that the anti-gay-marriage measure was an illegal constitutional revision because it fundamentally altered the guarantee of equal protection (latimes.com). The first suit was filed by ACLU, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Lambda Legal. Santa Clara County and the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles also sued, and Los Angeles lawyer Gloria Allred filed a third suit on behalf of a married lesbian couple (latimes.com). The California Supreme Court voted 4 to 3 on May 15 that a state ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. They also elevated sexual orientation to the constitutional status of race and gender (latimes.com).

Proposition 8 still leads by one half million votes and experts have stated that they do not expect the 3 million uncounted mail and provisional ballots to change the outcome (sfgate.com). "The result shows that this wasn't a partisan issue for people," said Frank Schubert, who ran the Prop. 8 campaign. "People have a strong attachment to traditional marriage, and that's the way they voted" (sfgate.com). Exit polls show that 59 percent of Catholics supported Barack Obama but also voted for Proposition 8 by 64 percent to 36 percent (sfgate.com). The exit poll also showed that 84 percent of people who attend church weekly voted for Proposition 8.

For more information:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/06/BA1313VJQH.DTL

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-gaylegal6-2008nov06,0,5471913.story

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/05/MNH413UTUS.DTL

Biden's Visit to New Home

Vice President elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden met with Vice President Sick Cheney. The visit lasted 50 minuets and included a tour of the residence (yahoo.com). Awkwardness was expected at the meeting after Biden had called Cheney “the most dangerous vice president we’ve had” (nytimes.com). He also said on Fox news “He has yet to be right one single time on Iraq” (politico.com).

The meeting took place at the Naval Observatory which has been the home to vice presidents since 1974 (nytimes.com). They had “a good visit” that lasted just under an hour, the vice president’s press secretary, Megan Mitchell, said in a statement. “Vice President Cheney and his wife Lynne were pleased to welcome Vice President-elect Biden and his wife Jill to the Naval Observatory this afternoon,” Mitchell said. “The Cheneys enjoyed giving the Bidens a tour of the residence and wished them well as they make it their home in January.” (politico.com) Biden’s transition spokesperson, Elizabeth Alexander, also released a cordial statement on the meeting. "The Bidens thank the Cheneys for welcoming them into their home and for their gracious hospitality," the statement said. (politico.com)





For more information:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081113/pl_afp/uspoliticscheneybiden;_ylt=Ag_kshIF_6BW._kPVFr0gQus0NUE

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/us/politics/14transition.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=Biden%20&st=cse&oref=slogin

Obama's 60 Minutes Interview

Obama's first post election interview Sunday night on 60 Minuets drew the biggest audience that 60 minuets had in at least nine years. On Sunday, Obama also formally resigned h is Senate seat. Obama acknowledged the similarities between the current economic crisis and the problems of the Great Depression. Obama has been putting together his White House team and has pledged to appoint a Republican to his cabinet. He noted one of his challenges is going to be "wrestling with is how to stay pretty normal"(nytimes.com). He also said that he would work with his security team and the military to draw troops out of Iraq (washingtonpost.com)

Michelle Obama said that "our hope is that the White House will feel open and fun and full of life and energy" (politico.com). She restated her desire as first to work with military spouses as well as women juggling work with raising children. But her primary focus during her husband's first year in office will be making sure her daughters are adjusting through the transition, she said (politico.com).

Obama also said one of his top priorities will be a program to help homeowners renegotiate mortgages and avoid default. “We have no focused on foreclosures and what's happening to homeowners as much as I would like,” Obama said. “We've got to … set up a negotiation between banks and borrowers so that people can stay in their homes. That is going to have an impact on the economy as a whole. And, you know, one thing I'm determined is that if we don't have a clear, focused program for homeowners by the time I take office, we will after I take office." (politico.com)

It was reassuring to hear the first couple discuss their own personal transition. It was also refreshing to see him seriously stress the problems in the economy and the bailout plan.










For more information:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-transition17-2008nov17,0,4824523.story

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/obama-mixes-the-personal-and-political-on-60-minutes/?hp

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15661.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15675.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/17/AR2008111702882.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/16/AR2008111602128.html

Hillary Clinton...Secretary of State?

President Elect Barack Obama has narrowed down his list for possibilities for Secretary of State and Clinton is being seriously considered (politico.com). Two Obama advisers have told NBC News that Clinton is being considered (huffington.com). Even though Clinton and Obama had been rivals, during the general election Clinton campaigned diligently for Obama. Clinton was seen taking a flight to Chicago today but did not comment on weather or not she had a meeting with Obama while she was there (huffington.com).

According to CNN: (huffington.com)

One source close to Hillary Clinton tells CNN that as of early yesterday, Senator Clinton had not been contacted by the transition team about a possible cabinet appointment. This same source tells CNN that Senator Clinton would not necessarily dismiss such an offer.

A spokesman for Hillary Clinton, Philippe Reines, tells CNN "Any speculation about cabinet or other administration appointments is really for President-Elect Obama's transition team to address."
On Monday night, while walking into an awards ceremony in New York, Senator Clinton was asked if she would consider taking a post in the Obama administration. She replied, "I am happy being a Senator from New York, I love this state and this city. I am looking at the long list of things I have to catch up on and do. But I want to be a good partner and I want to do everything I can to make sure his agenda is going to be successful."




http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15614.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/13/hillary-clinton-secretary_n_143735.html

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/13/hillary-clintons-name-mentioned-as-possible-secretary-of-state

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/11/officials_sen_clinton_eyed_as.php

The Obama's White House Visit

Today Barack and Michelle Obama toured the White House. President Bush and President elect Barack Obama spent about two hours together at the White House and first lady Laura Bush gave Michelle Obama a tour (politico.com). This is the first public appearance the past and future couples together and the tone seemed very friendly (politico.com). This is Barack Obama's first time seeing the Oval Office in person (nytimes.com).

Josh Bolten said that the president and president elect would meet without aids present (nytimes.com). “I’m sure each of them will have a list of issues to go down,” Mr. Bolten said during a televised interview with reporters from The Associated Press and The Washington Post. “But I think that’s something very personal to both of them. I know the president will want to convey to President-elect Obama his sense of how to deal with some of the most important issues of the day. But exactly how he does that, I don’t know, and I don’t think anybody will know.” (nytimes.com)





For More Information:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15483.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/us/politics/11transition.html?hp

Emanuel Accepts Chief of Staff Position

Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), an aggressive West Wing strategist under President Bill Clinton, has accepted the post of White House chief of staff for President-elect Barack Obama (politico.com). Emanuel is known as a political insider with knowledge of both Congress and the national political landscape (washingtonpost.com).

"Though Rahm understands how to get things done in Washington, he still looks at the world from the perspective of his neighbors and constituents on the Northwest Side of Chicago, who work long and hard, and ask only that their government stand on their side and honor their values," Obama said in a statement announcing the move this afternoon (washingtonpost.com).

Of his decision, Emanuel said: "I'm leaving a job I love to join your White House for one simple reason -- like the record amount of voters who cast their ballot over the last month, I want to do everything I can to help deliver the change America needs" (washingtonpost.com).

The choice of Emanuel sends a signal that Obama is ready to work with Congress and plans an aggressive agenda that will focus on the economy, taxes, energy, education and health care (politico.com).

The chief of staff is commonly known as the second most powerful job in Washington. The chief supervised hundreds of aids who work for the president and is the public face of the administration to the press and the negotiator on Capitol Hill (politico.com).

According to friends, Emanuel viewed the decision as being not about personal advancement, but about putting aside personal ambition to bring change to the country (politico.com).

Emanuel holds the title of Democratic Caucus Chairman and is the fourth-ranking House Democratic leader (politico.com). He was on the path of being the next speaker but decided to divert his career and take the position (washingtonpost.com).





For more information:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/11/emanuel_accepts.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15371_Page2.html

McCain Exit Speech

Mr. McCain delivered his concession speech in the Biltmore Hotel, in Phoenix Arizona. The Biltmore is where he and his wife had held their wedding reception. The crowd reacted with scattered boos as McCain offered his congratulations to Mr. Obama and noted the historical significance of the moment. “This is a historic election, and I recognize the significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight,” Mr. McCain said, adding, “We both realize that we have come a long way from the injustices that once stained our nation’s reputation” (nytimes.com). The speech was very gracious and heartfelt which was a stark contrast the name calling that has characterized the last few weeks of the campaign.
"I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president," McCain said of President-elect Barack Obama. "These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face."
The speech was incredibly impressive, McCain is not always completely comfortable reading from a teleprompter but the speech came across the way it was intended and set a much needed tone. He even suggested that the nation should unite behind President elect Barack Obama.
The word I would take away from the speech is gracious. McCain delivered a surprisingly gracious speech after the long hard campaign and a devastating loss. Some have even argued that the exit speech was the best speech delivered in the campaign.

Insert

For more information:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598611/20081105/story.jhtml
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/us/politics/05campaign.html?_r=2&pagewanted=2&bl&ei=5087&en=80ca9fabef5ec328&ex=1226120400&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Obama Victory Speech

President elect Barack Obama gave his victory speech to thousands of supporters in Chicago on Tuesday night. Talking to a crowd that extended far into the distance Obama said, “if there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.” (nytimes.com). “It’s been a long time coming,” he added, “but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment, change has come to America.” “The road ahead will be long, our climb will be steep.” “We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there”(nytimes.com) The audience included the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Oprah Winfrey along with other supporters wiping tears from their eyes. Obama's speech was incredibly moving and emotional. I found everyone watching it with me was crying, even those who had voted for John McCain.





For more information:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/us/politics/05campaign.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&bl&ei=5087&en=80ca9fabef5ec328&ex=1226120400&oref=slogin

History in the Making

Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States in a landslide victory. He takes the position as the first African American President. Barack Obama won unexpected states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Iowa and New Mexico (nytimes.com). Tuesday night marked the end of the longest presidential campaign season in U.S. History- 21 months (cnn.com). The 2008 election was also the most expensive presidential campaign in U.S. history (livemint.com). The candidates spent about $1.6 billion on the election, double the 2004 presidential race, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. When all is tallied, Obama is expected to have raised around $700 million (livemint.com).






The 2008 election also had the first woman (Hillary Clinton) to seriously compete for a party nomination and Sarah Palin became the first woman to appear on the Republican ticket (livemint.com).Obama is not only the first African American to be elected President he is also the first African American to be nominated (livemint.com). According to a preliminary tally, Obama led the race with 349 electoral votes versus 173 for McCain; 270 were needed to win (livemint.com). National exit polls found that Obama had high vote percentages across the board with especially high percentages coming from youth and black votes as predicted (livemint.com). Barack Obama will be inaugurated on January 20, 2009 to lead a country with a failing economy and two wars (newvision). Obama's victory puts a democratic president in charge of the white house for the first time since Bill Clinton left office in January 2001 (newvision).






Tuesday's victory shows American's surprisingly united behind Barack Obama after years of contention and division. Obama's victory was a milestone for the African American and minority communities that will forever echo in history.


For more information:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/us/politics/05campaign.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&bl&ei=5087&en=80ca9fabef5ec328&ex=1226120400&oref=slogin

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/election.president/index.html


http://www.livemint.com/2008/11/05234827/Obama-wins-White-House-create.html?pg=3

Another SNL

McCain's appearance on SNL on Saturday night was the second highest ratings since 1994. He was only outdone by his running mate, Sarah Palin's October 185h episode. Senator Obama applauded his competition saying that he would like to see more laughter in politics. “We can argue and debate our positions passionately, but all of us have to summon the strength and grace -- and the humor -- to bridge our differences and unite us in common effort,” he began. “John McCain was funny yesterday on Saturday Night Live, but that’s part of what our politics should be about, being able to laugh at each other, but also laugh at ourselves, being able to understand that all of us black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American; Democrat ad Republican, young old, rich and poor, gay, straight, disabled, non disabled – all of us are in this together” (msnbc.com). The ad showed McCain responding to Obama's ad buy with buying air time on QVC (campainspot.com).



As expected, people have been quick to criticize McCain for appearing on the show.


For more information:

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7012898689

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/11/02/1627518.aspx

McCain gets stood up

N.Y. Daily News: 'At a morning rally in Defiance, Ohio, John McCain did everything but put out an Amber Alert for 'Joe the Plumber,' who was AWOL for the event. McCain built up to a big intro of his plumber pal, aka Joe Wurzelbacher of Holland, Ohio, but his blue-collar symbol for cutting taxes was nowhere to be found. 'Joe, I thought you were here today. Where's Joe? All right. Well, you're all Joe the Plumber,' McCain told the crowd.' (politico.com)
Joe the Plummer has become very popular recently as the example blue collar small business owner. The rally was less than an hour from Joe's home town but he was not in attendance. John McCain was obviously under the impression Joe was in the audience and was embarrassed to find out he was not.

Palin Accuses Obama of ties to a "radical professor"

Gov. Sarah Palin on Wednesday said Sen. Barack Obama has ties to a Columbia University professor who she said is "a former spokesperson for the Palestinian Liberation Organization" (cnn.com). The professor has since denied he was a spokesman for the Palestine Liberation Organization. The U.S. and Israel consider the Palestine Liberation Organization a terrorist organization (cnn.com). Khalidi is actually a leading scholar of Middle Eastern studies at Columbia, and he was a contemporary of Obama's while on the faculty of the University of Chicago (cnn.com). Obama says that Palin's remarks are "another recycled, manufactured controversy from the McCain campaign to distract voters' attention from John McCain's lockstep support for George Bush's economic policies" (cnn.com)

Senator John McCain accused the LA Times of withholding a videotape of Barack Obama at a 2003 banquet for a “P.L.O. spokesman.’’ Then he asserted that the 1960s radical William Ayers had attended the same event (nytimes.com). In April the Los Angeles Times published an article about a dinner for Khalidi that Obama attended in Chicago (cnn.com). When the McCain campaign was asked why they are brining the matter up six months after the article appeared and aide responded "Because we are one week away from potentially electing Barack Obama" (cnn.com).




This is the same question I have. Why would the McCain camp choose to bring this up now? The McCain campaign has been running an increasingly negative campaign against Barack Obama. Instead of focusing on themselves and their own policies, they focus on attacking Barack Obama. Today his website focuses on attacking Barack Obama's TV ad buy for tonight. John McCain and Sarah Palin are intimidated by Barack Obama and have found no other alternative but to attack him. Barack Obama has exhibited incredible strength and grace during McCain and Palin's countless attacks. Barack Obama's ability to keep his campaign as clean as possible shows voters his maturity and integrity.

For more information:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/29/campaign.wrap/index.html#cnnSTCText

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/mccain-blasts-la-times-for-withholding-tape/?scp=1&sq=Rashid%20Khalidi&st=cse

Showing Muscle

The Obama campaign used a relatively unprecedented advertising strategy on Wednesday. Barack Obama ran a thirty minute campaign ad simultaneously across multiple networks. In the infomercial, Obama discusses his plan for the economy and for the war in Iraq. It also showcased stories of struggling families. Obama did not mention the Republican Party or John McCain at all in the ad and in the last two minutes the ad cut to a live broadcast from a rally in Florida. Conveniently the ad ran right before the World Series. While the ad did the delay the start time of the game, Fox is quoted saying that the Obama campaign did not ask for the game to be delayed.








More interesting than the ad itself is the fact that the Obama campaign has been able to raise enough money to show a thirty minute ad simultaneously across multiple networks in prime time. "It's evidence, if you needed any, that the Obama campaign has more money than there is ad time left to buy," said Evan Tracey, director of the Campaign Media Analysis Group. "This is flexing the muscles." Tracey estimates that it will cost the campaign "in the $4 to 5 million range -- at a minimum, $3.5 million" (cnn.com). This ad is the first time that a candidate for president has bought thirty minutes of time for a single commercial (sfgate.com).
Golden Gate University marketing Professor Michal Strahilevitz says that Obama's big show still "has one potential downside ... it reminds everyone that Obama has a lot more money and that John McCain is definitely the underdog" (sfgate.com). John McCain was the first to criticize the ad after it was announced.

The 2008 election has been full of surprises and innovations. It has definitely been an election unlike any other. Barack Obama's ability to do such successful fundraising on the web with small donors marks the start of a new era in campaign fundraising. This ad shows the enormous potential that becomes available to campaigns when they are able to raise so much money.


For more information:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/29/campaign.muscle/?iref=mpstoryview

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/7955847

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/29/MNV313OUNQ.DTL

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/the_obama_infomercial_how_to_s.php

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/29/politics/fromtheroad/entry4557522.shtml

http://www.huliq.com/3257/71725/obamas-informercial-makes-strong-statement

Battle for Pennsylvania

Both candidates were campaigning in Pennsylvania on Tuesday. Even though there was heavy rain and wind, Barack Obama spoke to a crowd of about 9,000 at Widener University in Chester, just outside Philadelphia (nytimes.com). The heavy rain forces McCain to cancel his outdoor rally in Quakertown. In Hershey Pa McCain criticized Obama for his half an hour television ad airing tonight before the World Series (Politico.com). The polls show Senator Obama with a double digit lead of John McCain (Politico.com). McCain is hoping to win over working class voters and Senior citizens. He is competing for the same people who supported Hillary Clinton (Politico.com). McCain and Sarah Palin are expected to return to Pennsylvania several times in the next week and according to aides Obama may not return again (Politico.com).


John McCain has a big challenge in Pennsylvania which has not voted Republican in a presidential election since 1988 (nytimes.com). Obama continued to discuss tax breaks for the middle class and McCain continued to criticize Obama's tax policies (nytimes.com).





The Electoral College makes some states like Pennsylvania incredibly important to victory. Pennsylvania has 21 electoral votes that can make a big difference in the Electoral College. In the coming week, the election will focused on key battleground states. While Obama is ahead of McCain in both Pennsylvania (9 points) and Colorado (8 points), the race can always change. Some people have speculated race to be an issue in western Pennsylvania promoting people to vote McCain but that has yet to be proven and Obama supporters remain enthusiastic. It is up to Senator Obama to keep his lead in the key battleground states as Election Day approaches.

For more information please see:

http://find.politico.com/index.cfm?sort=date&adv=0&reporters=&dt=1&key=Pennsylvania

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/us/politics/29campaign.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=pennsylvania&st=cse&oref=slogin

Secret Conservative Meeting

According to Jonathan Martin at Politico, two days after the election top conservatives will gather to discuss their role in the GOP. This planned meeting indicates that the GOP is heading toward major losses next week. "There's a sense that the Republican Party is broken, but the conservative movement is not," said Politico's source. The source also point outs that the meeting will be held regardless of the outcome of the election and Sarah Palin will be a central part of the discussion. Many Republicans have been unhappy with politicians in their party because they are not conservative enough. Sarah Palin will be near or on the top of the list of people to groom for the future.

Hockey Mom's Wear Valentino

Palin chats it up at an Alaska grocery store in June.



At the RNC wearing the shantung silk Valentino jacket in question.


Politico reported Tuesday that the Republican National Committee has popped for more than $150,000 worth of clothes and accessories for Palin and her family since John McCain tapped her as his VP pick in late August. The number is more than Palin's annual salary as Alaska governor. According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74. The records also show another $75,062.63 spree September. $4,716.49 was spent on hair and makeup in September.







The campaign issued a statement after legal issues were raised "With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it’s remarkable that we’re spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses," said spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt. "It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign."

The Jacket she wore on the night of her acceptance speech was a Valentino jacket costing a report $2500. People have been surprised about how a self proclaimed Hockey mom could look so polished, and the answer is with a lot of money of course.

A review of Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee turned up no similar spending


For more information

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/22/palin-clothes-spending-ha_n_136740.html

http://find.politico.com/index.cfm?adv=0&reporters=&dt=all&key=palin+

Republicans for Obama

The list of Republicans coming out for Obama is growing. Colin Powell, Ken Adelman, Arne Carlson, William Weld and now distinguished conservative intellectual Charles Fried. Charles Fried served as solicitor general during Reagan's second term and is currently a law professor at Harvard and until just recently was a member of the McCain campaign. Unlike the Colin Powell endorsement, Fried's endorsement is unlikely to change voter's minds but it is a signal of Obama's appeal and a Republican party in distress.



The Weld endorsement is also making news as an important endorsement for Obama.




For more information

http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/23771/yet-another-republican-for-obama-charles-fried/

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/10/24/obamacans-prominent-republicans-line-up-behind-obama/

When did education come into play with Proposition 8?

A girl in pigtails bounds into the kitchen after school and asks her mother to guess what she learned that day. "I learned how a prince married a prince, and I can marry a princess," she exclaims to her mortified mom. (Lisa Leff) There is television advertising for Proposition 8 that encourages parents to "protect" their children from the teaching of gay marriage.



The reality is that Proposition 8 makes no change to education policy. There is no mention of education in Proposition 8 and the proposition makes no requirements for schools to teach about same sex marriage. Schools currently teach tolerance of gay and lesbian students and have anti discriminatory rules in place. However, even though these rules exist they don’t always protect students. While Proposition 8 does not directly affect education, it can make a major change in the experience of gay, lesbian, and transgender youth in schools. Proposition 8 is trying to take away equality and perpetuate discrimination. The ad above simply is trying to argue it is wrong to teach children tolerance. It is sad that people still believe it is better to not educate out youth and it is sad that proponents of Proposition 8 are using education in their favor.



"I've seen the spots on the TV, and (legalized gay marriage) just isn't going to require any kind of teaching of personal relationships or lifestyle," said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, who has joined the state's largest teacher's union in opposing the measure. "That's just not an accurate statement or portrayal." "The education code already has a high expectation that school districts are going to create an environment where respect for human dignity and acceptance of differences, including sexual orientation, are promoted," said Laura Schulkind, a San Francisco lawyer who represents school districts across California. "I don't see how the legalization of gay marriage or the passage of Prop. 8 changes that obligation."

This campaign for Proposition 8 explains why there is still such a high rate of discrimination and violence of gay, lesbian, and transgender students. If parents are so concerned with their children even learning about same sex marriage no wonder students aren't be educated at home to tolerate other people's choice and respect them.




http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/10/22/national/a124203D29.DTL&hw=education&sn=001&sc=1000

"The Nail in the Coffin"

Colin Powell's surprising endorsement of Obama crosses party lines and sends a strong signal to independents and moderate democrats (poltico.com). Obama has talked about having Powell as one of his advisors in a more formal way. Reader response to the Powell endorsement has been apparent in "The Arena" where reader response has been almost as high as initial questions on Sarah Palin and even higher than after debate nights.
Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama is very harmful to McCain (the CW). It is not damaging only because Powell is endorsing Obama but because of the very negative comment Powell Made about Obama.
This is what Colin Powell said. 'I watched Mr. Obama ... during this seven-week period. And he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems like this and picking a vice president that, I think, is ready to be president on day one. And also, in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor. ... I also believe that on the Republican side over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower. ... I've also been disappointed, frankly, by some of the approaches that Senator McCain has taken recently, or his campaign ads, on issues that are not really central to the problems that the
American people are worried about. This Bill Ayers situation that's been going on for weeks became something of a central point of the campaign. But Mr. McCain says that he's a washed-out terrorist. Well, then, why do we keep talking about him? ...What the! y're trying to connect him to is some kind of terrorist feelings. And I think that's inappropriate. 'Now, I understand what politics is all about. I know how you can go after one another, and that's good. But I think this goes too far. And I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for. And I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign and they trouble me. And the party has moved even further to the right, and Governor Palin has indicated a further rightward shift. I would have difficulty with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration. I'm also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is permitted to be said such things as, 'Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim.' Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, 'He's a Muslim and he might be associated terrorists.' This is not the way we should be doing it in America.'WashTimes banner, Jon Ward's 'BIG GOVERNMENT' series -- second of three parts -- 'Pentagon spending growth outpaces auditors -- Report: Lack of oversight opens door to fraud, abuse': 'Government reports are not known for plain language, much less candor. But in a report issued in March, Pentagon Inspector General Claude M. Kicklighter summed up what had been growing increasingly evident for years: Defense spending has been growing so rapidly that auditors can no longer keep track. 'We currently are not able to provide sufficient audit coverage of [Department of Defense] acquisition programs given the dollars expended by the department,' Mr. Kicklighter wrote. 'The rapid growth of the DOD budget since FY 2000 leaves the Department increasingly more vulnerable to the fraud, waste and abuse that undermines the department's mission.''



As we can see, Colin Powell had some very poor things to say about Senator McCain. Powell was very articulate in why he was supporting Obama and what was wrong in the McCain camp. Powell concisely said all at once what people have been talking about. He was not afraid to clearly point to what was flawed in the McCain campaign and call McCain out for bad choices. I can see this endorsement hurting McCain's standing with undecided voters and assuring other voters of their choice.

Some have argues that Colin Powell only supported Barack Obama based on race. However, I do not agree with those statements because of Powell's ability to focus in on such specific reasoning for his endorsement of Obama. I believe many people are only pointing that way because they have no defense against what Powell is saying. Since people aren’t able to argue with Powell's comments they attack him for endorsing based on race. Powell crossed party lines to make this endorsement and I am sure it is devastating for some in the Republican Party.



Powell's endorsement has been expected for months and it would have made an impression regardless of timing. However, Powell was strategic in waiting so long to make his endorsement. Both candidates have chosen running mates, Powell was once even rumored to be McCain's running mate and the public is more interested in the campaigns as the election draws closer. Colin Powell's timing might even amplify its effect on the McCain campaign.

Tina Fey Met Her Match…Not!

SNL had its best overnight ratings since 1994 last night for the face-off between Sarah Palin and Tina Fey. Sarah Palin exceeded expectations by "remaining upright and not drooling" (Canada.com). After a month of SNL and Tina Fey ripping into Sarah Palin for her perceived lack of experience we have seen it take a toll on the campaign and her popularity. While Sarah Palin did exceed expectations on the show I do not think it has the ability to counter the bad press for the past month. The full version of the show isn’t available on you tube yet. I can only find the fox news clip which leaves out a lot of the show and there isn’t much commentary about people's opinions of the show. This may mean that the appearance was highly anticipated but didn’t lead to discussion and controversy. Controversy is what makes stories stick in the news cycle and the other sketches have been much more talked about and analyzed making them stay in the news for longer. This was a good opportunity for Sarah Palin to undo some of the bad press she has been getting because of SNL but she failed to really make a major mark.




One of the best moments of the show was Sarah Palin dancing on camera to the rap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6ya39slPgs

While I was impressed with Sarah Palin for going on the show and holding her own I am surprised by the lack of response. The appearance is already disappearing from major newspapers home pages and being replaced with stories such as the Powell endorsement of Obama, and soldier's adopted dog leaving Iraq. Even Tina Fey's appearance on Lettermen talking about the sketches is getting adequate press the day after Palin appeared on SNL.

Sarah Palin, A bad image for all women.

It is incredible that we are finally reaching a point where a woman was a viable candidate for a presidential nomination and that we have a woman on the ticket for the vice presidential seat. However, having a woman who is unsupportive of women's rights and with little experience is a step in the wrong direction for ALL women. If the McCain campaign was hoping to win over Hillary supporters with a woman vice presidential nominee, they were not on the right track. Palin has called herself as "pro-life as any candidate can be." If a woman no longer has control over their own bodies how can they effectively move forward? She even opposes abortion for rape and incest victims, supporting it only in cases where the mother's life is in danger. It is appalling that in this day an age there is still so much argument over women's ability to control their own destiny, especially in the case of rape and incest victims. This inconsistent message coming from women discredits the ability to move forward. Abortion is an individual decision and should not be regulated by the government.
Palin also opposes same-sex marriage and supported a non-binding referendum for a constitutional amendment to deny state health benefits to same-sex couples. Palin has stated that she supported the 1998 constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. In general Palin is not a good representation of women in politics. Her lack of experience and anti-feminist agenda has an effect on all women and the perception of their inability to work successfully in high political offices. Hilary Clinton was a completely different kind of candidate than Sarah Palin. Democratic pollster Celinda Lake said women tend to vote Democratic and to base their decision on shared issues rather than shared experiences. "Gender may have gotten their attention, but it's agenda that gets their vote," Ms. Lake said, adding that there are major policy differences between Sen. Clinton and Gov. Palin. The National Organization for women endorses Obama/ Biden and has a posted article about Gov. Palin entitled "Not Every Women Supports Women's Rights". The article discusses that even though it would seem that Palin's experiences would appeal to women, however, it has become clear and Gov. Palin will not speak for women. "What McCain does not understand is that women supported Hillary Clinton not just because she was a woman, but because she was a champion on their issues. They will surely not find Sarah Palin to be an advocate for women." The video below shows the endorsement of woman's groups for Obama and Biden




Even, women in her home state of Alaska and sharing Palin's religious views do not support her views.







Gov. Palin is not a positive advancement for women and does not represent Women's Rights.

For more information please visit these websites

http://womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com/

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122341711146712845.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

http://www.now.org/press/08-08/08-29.html

Who is looking out for our Veterans?

	Barack Obama	John McCain
The 21st Century GI Bill. Provides better educational opportunities to veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. (signed into law 6/30/2008)	Supported and voted for the bill.	Did not support. Publicly said he opposed the measure because the benefits would “encourage more people to leave the military.” (S.Amdt. 4803 to H.R. 2642, Vote 137, 5/22/08; Chattanooga Times Free Press, 6/2/08; Boston Globe, 5/23/08; ABCNews.com, 5/26/08).
Increase Funding for Veterans’ Health Care	Co-sponsored bill to provide an additional $1.5 billion for veterans’medical care. (Time, 2/20/06)	Voted to cut, eliminate, or gut veterans’ health care funding at least 29 times since 1990.HR 4939, Vote #111, 5/4/06; HR 4939, Vote #98, 4/26/06; SCR 83, Vote #70, 3/16/06; SCR 83, Vote #67, 3/16/06; SCR 83, Vote #63, 3/16/06; SCR 83, Vote #41, 3/14/06; HR 4297, Vote #15, 2/13/06; HR 4297, Vote #7, 2/2/06; S 2020, Vote #343, 11/17/05; HR 2863, Vote #251, 10/5/05; HR 2528, Vote #242, 9/22/05; HR 2361, Vote # 165, 6/29/05; HR 2361, Vote # 166, 6/29/05; HR 2361, Vote # 168, 6/29/05; HR 1268, Vote #90, 4/12/05; HR 1268, Vote #89, 4/12/05; SCR 95, Vote #40, 3/10/04; S 1689, Vote #379, 10/14/03; SCR 23, Vote #81, 3/25/03; S 2168, Vote #185, 7/7/98; S 936, Vote #168, 7/10/97; HR 3666, Vote #276, 9/5/96; HR 3666, Vote # 275, 9/5/96; HR 2099, Vote #466, 9/27/95; HR 4624, Vote #256, 8/4/94; HR 1335, Vote #97, 4/1/93; S 2884, Vote #226, 8/4/90; HR 2519, Vote #132, 7/17/91.
Improve Military Health Facilities	Sponsored the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act to improve the quality of care at military hospitals like Walter Reed. (Reuters, 2/20/07; The Hill, 2/21/07; S. 713, 2/28/07)	Voted against establishing a $1 billion trust fund to improve military health facilities, like the Walter Reed Hospital (S.Amdt. 2735 to S.Amdt. 2707 to H.R. 4297, Vote 7, 2/2/06)
Provide Better Counseling Services for Veterans with Mental Disorders	Proposes more mental health professionals, improved screening, fairer system to set post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) benefits and established standards of care for traumatic brain injuries. (www.barackobama.com) Introduced the Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act to provide support services to keep veterans from falling into homelessness. (Obama Senate Press Release, 11/9/07)	Voted against an amendment to appropriate $500 million annually from 2006-2010 for counseling, mental health and rehabilitation services for veterans diagnosed with mental illness, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or substance abuse. (S. 2020, S.Amdt. 2634, Vote 343, 11/17/05)
Served on Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee	Requested assignment to Veterans’ Affairs Committee.	Never served on Veterans’ Affairs Committee in his 26 years in the Senate.

Communications Workers of America www.cwavotes.org

John McCain does not support veterans in the way he appears to. He is constantly discussing his past experience as a POW and saying that veterans know he is there for them, however, his voting record shows a different loyalty. His support for veterans seems to be a false presumption most people make because of his military experience. In actuality he has voted against most recent legislation supporting veterans and Barack Obama seems to support veterans in a much more real way than John McCain. The chart above shows a side by side comparison between Barack Obama and John McCain in regards to veterans benefits and we can see that Barack Obama supports veterans by supporting or co sponsoring bills that increase educational opportunities, increase funding for health care, improving facilities, and improving mental health services.

On John McCain's website he has a page entitled "Commitment to America's Service Members: Past and Present". http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/9cb5d2aa-f237-464e-9cdf-a5ad32771b9f.htm On this page he discusses his commitment to veterans and veteran's families. There are gross discrepancies between what he discusses on his web page and what we can see from his voting record (above). According to the web page "John McCain believes that meeting the needs of our service members who defend us is our obligation and is essential to our national security". However, he opposed legislation to provide education opportunities, increase funding for health care, increase mental health services, and improve facilities.

Health care is an especially interesting example to look at. According to johnmccain.org "he (John McCain) is committed to ensuring that veterans' health care programs receive the funding necessary to provide the quality health care our veterans need and deserve". However, we can see from the chart above that he has voted to cut funding at least 29 times since 1990. It can be seen from this example and other that while John McCain has done a good job of appealing to veterans and military personal and families he does not actually look out for their needs through legislation.

This information has not been at the forefront of the campaign and it would be in Senator Obama's interest to publicize these facts. I was incredibly surprised when looking over Senator McCain's voting record. I had been under the impression that veterans issues were a major priority to Senator McCain but I can now see that I was simply being misled.

Below is a link to a You Tube video where Senator Obama discusses the GI bill on the Senate floor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKRMTkutuMA