Longshots In The Veepstakes

Now I have heard of Vice Presidential long shots before but when looking at this list, I was completely shocked to see billionaire Bill Gates and Colin Powell on the list. I personally don't feel that either of these man are long shots because although Bill Gates hasn't been heavily involved in politics, I believe he gets the economy and how it works. Otherwise, he would not be the billionaire that he is otherwise. Thus if McCain did choose Bill Gates as Vice President and Gates accepted, man that is truly a powerful fundraising machine and economists for McCain.

However if Obama choose Colin Powell as his Vice President than that would truly be special to see two African Americans on one ticket with Powell bringing his military credentials and republican swagger with it. That would give Obama a military experience uplift as well as his dreamed bi-partisanship credentials that he really needs to show by action. So this would be his biggest action toward that by having a republican as a Vice President who has more military experience than most Generals in the military today.

So all I can say is that Obama and McCain both have some things to think about but they shouldn't settle on traditional Vice Presidential picks but they should look to get someone who would help them balance out their major. Thus Gates and Powell would definitely do that and would make the next upcoming months as well as the Vice Presidential debates perhaps more interesting than the Presidential debates. Imagine Powell and Gates on stage discussing the economy, the war in Iraq, universal healthcare, the environment and education. Man that would truly be something to see.

References:

Longshots in the veepstakes http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/11419.html

McCain Rebuffs Critics as Obama Defends Patriotism

Both Presidential Candidates Senators John McCain and Barack Obama find themselves defending their records on things that are irrelevant in the sense of the real issues that plague America. McCain finds himself having to defend his military service record after former General Wesley Clark questioned the value of McCain's service when he said that McCain's military record does not give him the credentials to be President. While Obama is still fighting back against questions regarding his patriotism.

Both McCain and Obama are fielding questions and are fighting back against such attacks. As Obama and McCain both try to show that they are just as patriotic as the other and since the 4th of July is just right around the corner, it is clear that both candidates have to show their supporters as well as others that they are the patriotic candidate and their patriotism is truly greater than their opponent. Are the criticism fair of either candidate, no but the reality is that in politics, nothing is off limit and Obama and McCain is quickly realizing that.

While this is the first time that McCain's military service or record has been questioned in this campaign season but for Obama, his patriotism has been questioned since he made comments about why he doesn't wear a flag pin. Nonetheless, both Obama and McCain found themselves fighting back against critics today and getting tough on what they will not tolerate from such critics. Both Obama and McCain must show they are feisty enough to fight against such attack in order to garner the manly vote that exists out there.

So as the 4th of July comes upon us, it is important for both candidates to get as much attention on their patriotism as possible in order to appeal to the military and patriotic vote.

References:

Obama fights back against questiosn on patriotism http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed1/idUSN3041349420080630

Clark Questions the Value of McCain's Service http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=5280860&page=1

Obama and Bill Clinton end chill

Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama and the last Democrat to hold the Presidency, former President Bill Clinton finally ended their chill when Bill answered Obama's phone call. Both sides say the phone conversation went very well and was productive. Apparently Obama and Clinton will be on the campaign trail together real soon and all the talk over the weekend as to why Bill wasn't with Hillary and Barack during their unity tour was simply pre-mature. Obama and Clinton's camps say that Bill wanted the spotlight to be on Hillary and Barack so that true party unity could achieved over the weekend. However it seems that some within the Democratic ranks and a few news pundits still criticized that and didn't believe true party unity was there because of Bill's absence.

Now that both parties have talked, it seems as if Obama and the Clinton's will be working very close together in order to help 1.) Hillary get out debt, 2.) Bill repair his image in the Black community as well as nationally and 3.) the ultimate goal of getting Obama elected to office. Now all three are very possible but the unity of the party will be the main focus of the upcoming appearances and campaign stops that Obama will make with the Clinton's. However behind the scenes the real focus will be those three things but Obama's legacy as well as the Clinton legacy depend on each other for now.

While Obama is building a legacy of his own but the Clinton legacy is still alive and well. Thus both of these political figures legacies will have to merge in order for the Democratic Party to truly see the full power of what they possess right now. Bill and Barack must show that they can get alone and Barack must be willing to use some of Bill's brilliant political savvy and campaign fervor to his favor as he faces perhaps some of the most toughest attacks the Republican Party and interest groups could threw at him. If it's one thing Bill knows and the Clinton's know and that is they know how to defeat the Republican Party and how to take a blow and keep on ticking.

So Barack and Bill finally talking is a sign of trouble for the Republican Party because now they have their old public enemy number one united with their new public enemy number one side by side. Now a force is truly being formed like never before and that is something that Obama's camp can be excited about because with the Clinton's campaigning for you particularly Bill, it is a plus when facing the Republican Party.

References:

Bill Clinton answers Barack Obama's phone call--finally http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/06/bill-clinton-an.html

Clark: Getting 'shot down in plane' not enough for nomination

General Wesley Clark says that John McCain's military credentials of getting shot down in a plane is not enough for nomination. While General Clark's words may be misinterpreted and mistaken by some and taken into proper context by others as well as justified, it brings attention to the issue of how far politics has become more and more dirty. If there is anything that we have learned or should have learned from the 2000 and 2004 election is that a man's military record should never be distorted and it is just outright shameful to do.

Now if there is one thing I can commend John McCain on is that he was attacked during the 2000 Republican primary season by his opponent than George W. Bush. Bush and his people attacked McCain's military record like his service to this country meant nothing. Than in 2004 when Bush and his people did the same thing to Democratic Presidential nominee Senator John Kerry, it was McCain who stood up for Kerry and said what the Republican Party and others were doing was not right and unfair. McCain said they should stop it and it does not support any such attacks.

Now fast forward to now and many say that General Clark's words were not offensive and does not suggest that McCain's military record is fluff but simply points to a fact that service in the military doesn't not qualify for you for the military. However, on the other hand, McCain's camp says that Clark's words and rhetoric clearly shows that Obama's surrogates are going to attack McCain's military record and are pulling a page out of the Republican play book by doing so. No matter how you look at, McCain's military record is fair game but I only wish that both Republicans and Democrats will realize that distorting a man's military record is not right and it only diminishes one's service to our Armed Forces which is not right by any means.

However, both Democrats and Republicans need to just leave a man's military record alone but until both sides agree than this issue will never go way any time soon. I only hope another Democratic military official comes to McCain's aide like he did for Kerry in 2004. Fair is only fair.

References:

Clark Questions the Value of McCain's Service http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=5280860&page=1

Young, Black & Inspired by Barack Obama

Many young African Americans are inspired by Barack Obama and what he is doing this year. There inspiration comes from the fact that Obama is breaking down a political wall that has been blocked to people of color since the creation of our great country of America. Young African Americans see Obama's candidacy as a turning point on race and politics and as an opportunity of hope. Hope that the future for young African Americans is bright and that our time is now. Obama gives them inspiration to believe in the unthinkable and to believe that the unthinkable is possible.

Thus what political polls don't look in on is the number of young African Americans who are being attracted to politics and the number of them who are involved in the Obama campaign as volunteers. Obama has brought a new belief to the black community that truly any thing is possible and that African Americans can truly grow up and be anything that they want to be. Obama has inspired young African Americans to believe that their lifestyle is not hindered by their surroundings but it is their surroundings that make them become better people. Young Blacks across America are starting to accept their environments as not a hindrance but as an opportunity to share their stories with the rest of America and the world that has never seen nor heard of such stories prior to now.

Barack Obama's has made history in this election already by becoming the first African American candidate and minority to head a political party in America but his candidacy alone is historical for many reasons beyond just that. However Barack Obama gives a sense of urgency to young blacks who needed a little inspiration and encouragement in order for them to see that their time is not now but right now. Yes young blacks are starting to believe now more than ever that their time to lead is now and that is the type of attitude and inspiration that Obama has given us.

To be young, black and inspired means so much in today's time because with youth on your side, you are an unstoppable force. Today's African American communities need to realize that with the youth, there's always a possibility for change and there's always the possibility to leave positive marks on the world. To be young, energetic and lively is truly a blessing for African Americans to have or any one for that matter. That's why Barack Obama is breeding a new generation of leaders who if they continue to stay involved and stay encouraged, they can truly make a change in America and the world that has not been seen since the civil rights and if they stay involved and breed another generation of leaders than this could be the trend that America and the world has needed in order to keep America and the at peace.

Barack's wisdom, charisma and inspiring words has breathed new life into the black youth and that is something that should be studied and looked at. Thus I proud to see what the future brings and many in the African American community should be more proud than before for our youth because this could be the turning point of many who grew up in the civil rights movement have been waiting to see from the hip hop generation. Now the changing of the guard could truly be happening life never before.

McCain and Obama Court Hispanic Voters

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama are courting Hispanic voters like never before. Both Presidential candidates are putting together plans to how they will win over the Hispanic vote. However many political pundits and experts say that the Hispanic vote this year is not as important as it was in 2004. Hispanic voters played a critical part in President Bush's re-election but many say that this year the Hispanic vote will not play as huge of a decision in 2008's Presidential race like it did in 2004.

Nonetheless both Presidential candidates are not taking the Hispanic vote for granted and are pulling out all the stops in order to win the Presidency. Thus both candidates laid out plans this week on how they will court the Hispanic vote and how the Hispanic vote is just as important as in 2004. With immigration reform and boarder control being a very important topic leading up to the Presidential primaries, both candidates are developing a plan to deal with both issues as well as many others within the Hispanic community.

Hispanic voters are important in this year's election and like any other type of voters, all voters are important. What both Presidential candidates are doing is right because each voting bloc needs a particularly strategy because how you campaign to the African American community can't be the same way you campaign to the Feminist community or the Asian community. However the Hispanic vote has gotten much more attention over the years and with the increasing vote bloc of Hispanics, it should be interesting to see how they vote in 2008 and what issues made Hispanics vote the way they will vote in this year's election.

References:

McCain, Obama court Hispanic voters http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i_NxbDHD1WStzVfTazDU_yduIPzQD91JCKU80

Candidates Court Latino Leaders http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/28/AR2008062800994.html?hpid=topnews

Obama’s Outreach to Latinos http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/06/28/obamas-outreach-to-latinos/

MCCAIN COURTS LATINO LEADERS http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/28/1173865.aspx

Obama and McCain clash but promise to prioritize immigration reform http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2008/06/obama-and-mccai.html

Political Freelancers Use Web to Join the Attack

The 2008 Presidential Election is really heating up when political freelancers are using the web to attack each Presidential candidate. Yes, Senators Barack Obama and John McCain will have to look out for many political freelancers this election year putting up videos that attack them on various issues from the war in Iraq to campaign finance. Are these videos legit and accurate, well to a degree they are but the web is really becoming a political tool for these political freelancers.

Now the political freelancers who are making these videos are not necessarily supporting one candidate over the other but they are simply making a statement to the people of America and the world that politicians need to held accountable for what they say as well as what they do and that's why the videos that are being made are important. The videos that are being put on Youtube and that are being viewed by millions are really helping these political freelancers think about making more than one video in this year's 2008 election.

The Internet is becoming a larger than normal campaign tool than expected and the 2008 Presidential election is showing that when a campaign uses the Internet right than its no telling what can happen. However what campaigns can't account for is how others such as these political freelancers will use the Internet in order to attack the candidate or opponent. Thus the history books will truly be rewritten no matter what because political freelancers are becoming the new attack dogs for many campaigns and with the growing rate of campaign users than it is no telling what can happen. The more these political freelancers web videos get attention from news outlets and campaign officials than the more these political freelancers will be able to rewrite how the history books will talk about the Internet.

It's official, Mugabe wins sham election

Robert Mugabe wins re-election in Zimbabwe after his opposition pulled out of the race. Mugabe's victory is not liked by the international world but the results show that due to the fact that Mugabe's toughest opponent challenger since 1980 pulled out the race, Mugabe's victory was virtually inevitable. Therefore Mugabe's election victory spells doom for many in Zimbabwe and many world leaders seek to change what currently happened as they look to sanction Zimbabwe and Mugabe for what he has done over the last couple of months. Time will tell what the United Nations and other countries do to Mugabe and Zimbabwe but for now Mugabe can celebrate his victory with is head high to the sky.

References:

Mugabe sworn in after one-man election condemned by observers http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hPfSNWDwVugGUIMTz6iQL3eXDhtQ

For McCain, Airliner Interior as Campaign Motif

Republican Presidential nominee John McCain is going to the air with his straight talk express message. McCain will be unveiling a Straight Talk Airplane this week in order to revive his campaign and his message of straight talk. The airplane will not be exactly like his bus in terms of its arrangement due to airline regulations but it will have much of the same type of environment that McCain and those on board the bus enjoyed.

McCain's Airplane will be something new for the campaign trail and McCain's campaign staff says that the plane will give him the opportunity to revive his straight talk express campaign that gave him the eventual Republican Presidential nomination. Now McCain isn't retiring the campaign bus but they are usually shorter trips between airports to campaign and the seats on the bus are reserved now days for local reporters while on the trail. McCain's candidacy is surely historic in how he captured the Republican nomination himself but recent polls show that he has fallen behind Obama badly and that he needs a lot of work to do in order to suppress Obama's momentum and garner his own mojo back as his hopes to become one of the oldest Presidents ever.

So McCain's straight talk express will go air bound and time will tell as to whether or not it gives McCain the type of campaign messaging that he needs to have in order for the news media to start praising him more and giving his campaign more credit than they have done. Nonetheless McCain is a virtually an underdog again and has less than 5 months to try to win the Presidency and he hopes he can do what he did to capture the Republican Presidential nomination in the Presidential general election. If McCain's straight talk express continues with the type of atmosphere that he gave him during the primary season than we could see McCain garner momentum heading into November's Presidential election.

Obama Supporters Take His Middle Name as Their Own

Obama supporters are starting to informally adopt Obama's middle name as part of a statement that Hussein which is Obama's middle name doesn't mean Obama is a Muslim or closely connected to terrorism. While I commend the efforts of Obama's supporters but the reality is that Obama's candidacy as well as his middle name brings up a question of whether or not America is ready to deal with racism, bigotry and discrimination. The discrimination of one's name in particular. Since September 11, 2001, many people who are not Muslim but have Islamic/Arabic/African names have been discriminated against or not hired for certain jobs because people believe they are connected to terrorism or they are Muslim. You can take my name for example of Hodari Pilli Tourre Brown. The only part of my name that is common is Brown.

However most people assume that I am Muslim because of my name or that I am African, not African American because of my name. Therefore Obama's candidacy brings the issue of racism, bigotry and discrimination into the forefront of America because yes Obama's middle name is being used against him but this is what people since September 11, 2001 have had to deal with for months and years and prior to that, many African Americans or Blacks have had to deal with. That's why a real conversation on race and religion needs to be discussed in America so that one can understand someone else's culture and religion. I cannot set here and tell you I know how it feels to grow up rich and Caucasian or poor and Caucasian because I'm not Caucasian. However I would like to hear more about this from the Caucasian perspective and I would like to hear more about Catholicism, Hinduism, and other religions.

There's a word called tolerance and that's what is needed for us to have these conversations. We must have religious tolerance, racial tolerance, economic tolerance and cultural tolerance so that we can understand each other. Obama's candidacy should help us come together in the sense of wanting to understand the unknown. However the reality is that those who are informally adopting Obama's middle name are doing it as a political gesture or as a stance of what is a name but they need to go a step further and understand that a name means a lot and that Obama isn't the only Hussein who has been discriminated against and he won't the last. They need to understand that Obama isn't the only person criticized for allegedly being a Muslim because Muslims have had to deal with it every day since September 11, 2001. They need to understand that racism and discrimination didn't just start with Obama's candidacy but it started way before any of us were born and it won't end after Obama's candidacy unless we start developing tolerance and we teach it.

While many commend the efforts of these volunteers, I want these volunteers to take the time to really understand another culture and religion. Take the time to teach tolerance and understand that Obama is not the be all, end all because there are others who are treated like this and it is only through us as a whole generation of people who can change this type of treatment by learning about each other and accepting our differences.

References:

What's in a Name: Who Is an African American? http://www.diversityinc.com/public/3698.cfm

What's in a Name: Is It 'Hispanic' or 'Latino'? http://www.diversityinc.com/public/3705.cfm

Analysis: Obama, Clinton begin unity campaign

For 17 months, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton went toe to toe to become the Democratic Parties Presidential nominee and on June 3, 2008, it all came to an end with Obama clinching the nomination. However the repairing of the party is now why both Senators will be seen together more than usual on this campaign trial. Thus the unity tour began this week with both of them bringing their biggest fundraising donors to a reception that both Obama and Clinton hosted. Secondly they went to Unity, New Hampshire for a more public occasion where they shared a stage and praised each other for the hard work both of them have been doing.

Obama said that Clinton is the type of fighter that America needs and the Democratic Party is thankful for. While Clinton said that Obama is the type of President who will bring about change and that is the difference between McCain's candidacy and Obama. Both gave each other major compliments but it still seemed all too unreal for some. While many political experts and news outlets said the speeches were good but the body language seemed less real than real and the reality is that Obama and Clinton have not resolved all their issues. Obama and Clinton's body language still suggest that they are not as friendly as they wanted to be as the unity campaign began.

While Obama hopes that the polls continue to trend in his favor over the next couple of weeks so that appearances with Senator Clinton will only be appearances like this one and not as her as his Vice Presidential running mate. However for Hillary, she would welcome the V.P. job but isn't begging for it. Thus Obama and Clinton both must understand that this unity tour is only the beginning for both of them as they march toward November. They need to develop a better chemistry on stage with one another, much like the chemistry they developed at the end of each debate where they embraced each other and looked like a happy couple to a degree that just made up after fighting. Barack and Hillary need each other in order to help the Democratic Party grow.

At the same time, Obama needs both the Clinton's but today's unity with Hillary is the beginning of bringing the Clinton's into the fold of Obama's candidacy for the Presidency. One can believe that when Obama and the Clinton's share a stage that it will feel like a Beatle's concert and hundreds of millions of people will come to see that event no matter where it is. If Obama wants to win in November than bring the Clinton's with you to an event every week or two weeks and watch as the crowds grow and the more people who will get registered to vote due to the star power that all three of them possess.

Time will tell how Obama utilizes the Clintons but one thing is needed for future events and that's a natural chemistry that Kerry and Edwards had and Clinton and Gore had. I know Hillary is not Barack's running mate but in order for real unity to be possessed than they need to develop a better chemistry on stage with their body language so that more people will be willing to buy into a unified Democratic Party. Right now the verdict is still out despite what Hillary and Barack said this week because their body language said something totally different than what their mouths said.

References:

Thousands cheer Obama, Clinton in Unity http://www.eagletimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=7472

Now United http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121457490779810773.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Crowley: A picture-perfect day in Unity http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/27/crowley.unity/

Party Unity in NH, as Clinton Talks and Obama Says "She Rocks"

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/27/u-n-i-t-y_in_nh.html?hpid=topnews

Obama and Clinton in Talks to Unify Party

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/us/politics/26unity.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&fta=y&adxnnlx=1214756209-D/Q4YwY8r36m1mHo4spYuQ

For Obama, a Pragmatist’s Shift Toward the Center

Barack Obama this week took a huge shift toward the center after the Supreme Court voted 5-4 that Washington, D.C.’s ban on handguns was unconstitutional. Obama agreed with the decision and this was shocking since D.C.'s mayor wanted the ban and supports Obama for the Presidency. In fact D.C. voted for Obama during the primary season. Now back in February, Obama supported the ban but now his shifted his position this week after commending the Supreme Court on their ruling.

Thus it makes one wonder is Obama truly becoming the typical flip flopper as he strives to win the Presidency. Obama has changed on a couple stances since the Democratic Primary season ended and the general election season has begun. In the last week, Mr. Obama has taken calibrated positions on issues that include electronic surveillance, campaign finance and the death penalty for child rapists, suggesting a presidential candidate in hot pursuit of what Bill Clinton once lovingly described as “the vital center.”

A presidential candidate’s great desire is to be seen as pragmatic, and they hope their maneuvering and shifting will be seen in pursuit of some higher purpose. It doesn't mean they are insincere but to some degree, it suggests that the candidate has realized that in order to win they must be more center than liberal or Conservative. However at the same time, it suggests that a presidential candidate will do any and everything to win the Presidency and clearly that is exactly what Obama is doing. Can you blame Obama for shifting toward the center and changing his mind on many critical issues. The reality is no one can blame Obama for changing his previous stance on many of these issues because the reality is that those who support Obama want him to win the Presidency so he is doing exactly that.

Now my problem with Obama's shift is that he is making it seem as if he isn't changing his mind but its like the late great Tim Russert said, if only politicians would just say they changed their mind on an issue rather than trying to justify their new stance than they would be forgiven. Too many politicians try to justify their new decisions rather than admitting that they changed their mind like any ordinary person would do once really looking at the issue. Well time will tell rather or not Obama's new shift to the center will off in the general election.

Obama on Bill Clinton: 'I Want His Help'

While many political pundits and news outlets question why hasn't former President Bill Clinton endorsed Presidential hopeful Barack Obama yet, Senator Obama has said that he needs Bill Clinton's help this November and beyond. Obama said that Bill is brilliant politician and a great President. Now I would take this time to say that over the primary season, Obama criticized President Clinton's administration for so many things but the reality is that Obama can't have it both ways. He can't criticize you over the campaign trail and than praise you. Therefore I applaud him for wanting Bill Clinton's help and knowing that he needs both Clinton's to win this November.

Nonetheless, many should expect that during sometime in July or August before the Democratic Party Convention, Obama and former President Clinton will be on a national stage where the former President will give him a loud praise endorsement that is sure to bring a larger crowd than any other endorsement that has gotten thus far except for Hillary's. Barack and Bill share so much in common but like Hillary and Barack, the wounds have to be repaired and Barack has to be smarter on mending these bridges.

Like I said several weeks ago, Obama is trying to have it both ways in his campaign by criticizing his opponents one minute but than praising them and saying they are going negative not him However negative is negative and what Obama did during the 17 month Democratic Primary season is attack former President Clinton's policies and the 1990s. Regardless of what anyone can say under Bill Clinton's watch, the economy in America was great and gas prices were lower. While President Clinton didn't accomplish universal health care and some blame him for it, the reality is that the Clinton presidency was the best presidency for minorities in the White House until Bush came into office. President Clinton revived the Democratic Party, much like Obama is doing. However Obama has to be smarter going forward and learn that he can't have it both ways and if Republicans are smart they will capitalize on Obama's weakness of flip flopping on his praise and joy for the Clinton's.

The reality is that one can not say they are not being negative when they are and that's why Obama and the Clinton's are joined at the hip because they both need each other but Obama needs them more in order to secure a victory come November. So the media and other political pundits can be looking for the Clinton's to be sharing a stage with Obama real soon.

Can a Politician Be True?

Recently Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama was asked how can he stay true to the things he speaks about. So while responding to the question, Obama reached into his pocket to show how many things that people have given him while being on the campaign trail. Obama went on to speak of how you can't over promise things to people who are asking to trust you and vote for you. However it makes one wonder is Obama over promising during this election process. The truth is that Obama is making some bold promises and commits that realistically would be great for America.

But reality sets in for me and I look at what Obama might be inheriting and many political pundits and some wise politicians know that what Obama plans to do sounds good and looks good on paper. However can he make his bold promises happen due to the past 8 years of trouble that President Bush and Congress has got us in. Can America be repaired in the next 4 years or will it take Obama 8 years to really break even from what has happened. Even some mayors said that Obama's plan for helping America's metropolitan cities was a little bit too ambitious. While many in the Democratic Party don't want to say it but the truth is that Obama is making many promises that might not happen unless the Democrats took control of the Senate in a larger number than they currently have and take back the the House by even more of a larger margin.

Now at the same time, the question on whether politicians can be true, is that it depends on who you are and how much you stay involved in the political process. For me, I know a politician who is true and he is the co-chair to Obama's campaign in the state of Michigan. State Representative Bert Johnson is a true politician who tells his constituencies exactly how he feels. Bert represents Highland Park, Hamtramck and a part of Detroit but he let's them know exactly what is taking place in Lansing no matter if it is good or bad. In fact he speaks out against the so called Michigan Democratic Party leadership who are actually Republicans dressed in sheep's clothing. Yes Mark Brewer, Debbie Dingell and others who are top notch Michigan Democratic leaders are selling out the minority base of the Demcratic Party and Bert Johnson is letting the people know the truth.

Bert went to an Obama house gathering yesterday and not knowing one person at the house, he quickly gave speech on how Obama's candidacy will help America and how the current leadership in Michigan for the Democratic Party is selling Detroit and Southeast Michigan short. Bert told the people about how the Michigan Democratic Party is leading an effort called reform Michigan's government that is aimed at stripping Republicans of some of their power in Michigan without having a constitutional convention. However the impact of this reform initiative that will be on the ballot in November will literally wipe out the minority base of Michigan's House and Senate in terms of less African Americans, women and other races being elected to office. The only place where African Americans will come from will be the city of Detroit but the Michigan Democratic Party leaders are acting like they are not behind it and they know nothing about it.

Well Bert's a true politician who is educating others on what is really happening behind the scenes to the American people. Therefore while many believe in the Audacity of Hope, I believe in the Audacity of Believing and that's what Bert Johnson gives me. He is always willing to help others and he always does what he says he will do. Bert is Michigan's Barack Obama and I don't know what Michigan particularly Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park would do without him being in Lansing. Bert attends on average 41 community meetings in his district monthly and makes the drive from Lansing to Detroit every night no matter what. Thus Bert is the example of a politician staying true.

Bert is humble and real no matter what. Bert doesn't make promises he can't keep and doesn't say things that sound good to voters but he actually works to bring about change that will not hinder the elderly, youth and the poor. The reality is that if most politicians followed Bert's lead than American and the world would be a better place.

Ralph Nader talks trash about Barack Obama

Ralph Nader who is best known for his independent Presidential bid in 2000 that cost the Democratic Party the election, is running for President again but this time has talked trash about Senator Obama on where he stands on the issues.

Here's one of the Nader quotes from the article:
"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American. Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards."

While Nader's comments are true to some degree but one must understand that Obama is not running for mayor, state representative or any local office but he is running for President of the United States of America. While Obama has not necessary talked more specifically about those issues, he should be given credit for the idealistic plans he outlined at the recent Conference of America's mayors this past weekend where he listed several things that he wanted do for urban cities. However Nader's comments are true that Obama hasn't tackled these issues more hands on and no politician really deals with these issues on a national level. So Obama shouldn't be blamed for not doing so but everyone should be blamed for not doing so.

While such issues as the economic exploitation of ghettos, payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, and lead are issues that plague urban communities particularly African American communities, they are issues that city mayors, city councils, state representative and senators need to address more. However I do agree that U.S. Congressional leaders--both Senators and Representatives-- and Presidential candidates need to talk about more and put plans into action to stop such things from harming our community but the reality is, they won't. The only time they will deal with these issues is when we as a people stand up and demand more from our elected officials. Nader is right that these issues need to be discussed but our local communities leaders need to start the discussions and start hammering elected officials and others on these issues.

Senator Barack Obama candidacy for the Presidency is historical but I cannot put everything on him for him to discuss because he's human. All these issues are not necessary Presidential issues but it would be good if they were tackled more directly but Obama is doing a good job at tackling some urban issues. However until the issues that Nader pointed out are seriously tackled that many in urban America will continue to live the way they live cause they are being exploited and taken advantage of due to the practices of payday loans and predatory lenders. Those places are only put in urban communities particularly African American and Hispanic American neighborhoods more so than suburban communities. Thus we have to stand for something and we can't allow such communities to continue to exist without us as a people standing against it.

Thus Nader's comments are true but Senator Obama should not be the only one discussing these issues and but Republican Presidential nominee John McCain should be addressing these issues as well. Until others address this issue more directly than I should not expect Obama to address it. While it would be nice, it is premature to expect more from Obama than you expect from his opponent or any other candidate running for any office this year.

References:

Ralph Nader, Who Asked You? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/25/ralph-nader-who-asked-you_n_109300.html

Obama using 'white guilt,' Nader says http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/25/nader.obama/?iref=mpstoryview

Will Obama's name help a Republican senator?

Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans, is stressing his history of working with the presumptive Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama in a new campaign ad that hit airwaves Tuesday. Many experts feel that Obama's candidacy could help many Democrats win many U.S. Congressional and Senatorial seats as well as state and local elections in Republican controlled territories. Thus Smith is one of many vulnerable Republican Senators or Congresspeople who face a tough fight come November due to Obama's candidacy.

So while many know that Obama's candidacy will help many Democrats in November but now many Republicans facing tough battles in many states are trying to now make themselves seem more closer to being bi-partisan or at least trying to find ways to connect themselves to Obama in order to appeal to all voters in their district. Smith's commercial and his connection to Obama is one that puts the Republican nominee John McCain in a tough position. If more and more Republicans trend Smith's way than McCain's hopes of winning the Presidency could be slim to none before November even comes.

Time will tell on all of this but this is clearly a new way that many Republicans are trying to keep their seats in such a historical election year that could change the landscape of Politics not only the Presidential and national level but state levels and local levels. So stay tuned to all the action.

Reference:

GOP Sen. Smith Makes Grab for Coattails — Obama’s http://blogs.wsj.com/politicalperceptions/2008/06/25/gop-sen-smith-makes-grab-for-coattails-obamas/?mod=googlenews_wsj

McCain fills town halls with undecided voters

Republican Presidential nominee John McCain is going forward with his proposed town hall meetings that he put on the table for him and Democratic Presidential candidate should do together as well as travel together while doing these town halls. However McCain has continued to do these town halls and has packed them with undecided and non-partisan voters while Obama has decided not to do the town halls with McCain.

While I am not advocating support for McCain but I do like the idea of town hall meetings and I think it would still be a great idea. While giving speeches to large crowds can still happen for both candidates, town halls give a select group of people a chance to really get intimate with the candidates like one is at a coffee house or bar with them. Everyone knows that Senator Obama has done this type of campaigning before so enough is enough, stop trying to fund raise and start really connecting to voters like Senator McCain has done through these town halls. McCain's town hall proposal has been under the radar and many news outlets don't cover it cause it is not as attractive without Obama but many people who are attending these town halls and watching them as they are stream lived o the web, have found them to be affective as they gather more insightful information on the issues that concern them

Lastly McCain's town hall have really helped him in getting more closely connected with voters and dispels the myth that McCain is out of touch with voter's. While both McCain and Obama have been criticized for this, McCain surely has made much more of an effort to connect with voters by doing what he does best by hosting town halls and campaigning on a much more low scale level than Obama has who opts to have huge rallies in hopes of giving speeches that energize his base as well undecided and non-partisan voters. Nonetheless, I think McCain's approach is the better approach and I think more unscripted questions can be proposed in those type of formats and it allows one to see how the candidate responds when the camera's are not necessarily on like they are when one gives speeches or during debates.

Time will tell whether or not Obama will be involved in the town halls but it is clear that Obama and McCain are no where close on agreeing on this issue and if McCain's camp or surrogates were smart they would hammer on this issue every chance they can when they are on radio and television shows. But for now the debate continues: Town Halls vs. Large Rallies? Which one is better depends on the candidate and the particular voters who are interested in trying to get their message or concerns addressed.

References:

McCain aides seek undecideds, non-partisans for town halls http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-06-24-McCain-screen_N.htm

Evangelical Leader Attacks Obama on Religious Views

Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama has come under some criticism by prominent Evangelical leader James C. Dobson. Dobson, has sharply attacked Mr. Obama, accusing him of having “a fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution” and twisting the meaning of both the Old and New Testaments.

“I think he’s deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own world view, his own confused theology,” Mr. Dobson said Tuesday in one of the regular radio broadcasts for the group he leads, Focus on the Family.

“He’s some kind of biblical authority?” Mr. Dobson also asked.

These criticisms come after Dobson had spoke harshly about Senator John McCain and him not being energetically outspoken on same sex marriage. Nonetheless, Dobson says both Senators don't give a hoot about the family. Some feel that Dobson is right in his message while others say this could only energize the younger generation of Evangelicals to vote for Obama more because they believe in his message more than they believe in McCain's. Either way, the religious base is a strong conservative base that Senator McCain cannot lose if he hopes of pulling an upset over Obama for the Presidency in the November general election.

Therefore time will tell on whether Dobson's comments will hinder Obama's candidacy. However, nothing shows that Obama is losing ground on the evangelical vote and he seems to be doing extremely well amongst the younger evangelicals which is why his candidacy could bring Evangelicals back in the Democratic fold as the Republican Party looks to redefine their party in this year's 2008 election.

References:
Dr. Dobson Has Just Handed Obama Victory
Victoryhttp://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20080625/cm_huffpost/108989

Obama Asks Funders to Relieve Clinton’s Debt

I found this to be extremely interesting that Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama is asking his funders to relieve part of his former Democratic Presidential opponent Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign debt. As a part of Party unity, Obama and Clinton are set to be at a couple of key events this week that could bring about fundraising dollars for both Senators as well as bring about true party unity. Nonetheless, Senator Clinton needs campaign help in paying off campaign debt and Senator Obama is willing to use some of his funders to help her since she is provided him with some of her biggest donors.

This is truly a historical Presidential election because I have never seen or heard of anything like this before but Obama and Clinton have made all types of firsts for this Presidency and they continue to do so with this latest result. While I do not agree with it, I want to be clear that if any of you Obama or Clinton supporters say to me that I can't get gas or I can't eat than my first question to you will be, have you given to either campaign and I will say that is where your hope and change went so hopefully your gas and food problem will be resolved by this time next year.

However not to be funny in any way, I am seriously upset with all the money both of these candidates have raised but our economy is still in a decline. Many pundits said that both Senators could perhaps create their own economic stimulus during this election cycle and this was back in February, however that has not happened and it makes me wonder, where is all this money truly going toward and why is our economy suffering while both of them have raised nearly $500-600 million in campaign dollars over the last 17 months. I am just amazed that one of them is in campaign debt and the other is bailing them out to a degree.

So I can only watch, think and wonder what Senators Obama and Clinton will do next as they help each other continue to raise millions of more dollars.

Department of Obama Image drops pseudo presidential seal

Senator Barack Obama and his campaign image department recently suffered major criticism for a pseudo presidential image that they unveiled for the Senator at a Chicago event. Campaign officials say the image was a once and a lifetime use and will not be used ever again. However before Senator Obama and his staff could make the image go away quick enough, they suffered major criticism for the image because it resembled too much like the current Presidential seal. Thus it has led many to believe that the accusations regarding Obama being an elitism to be true. In fact many of said that this only further proves that Obama is an elitism because the image makes it seem as if he is the President already.

Despite Obama having a Republican opponent in Senator John McCain, many polls show Obama beating McCain and many experts predict that Obama will win the popular vote by a huge margin over McCain. So the image makes people wonder whether or not Obama believes that the Presidency is a shoe in and that McCain, can no way whatsoever beat him. While the image is quite interesting to see, it is rather a good image despite its resemblance to our countries very own Presidential seal.

One can only watch to see as the image police continue to criticize the candidates on backdrops, seals, clothes and other things that have nothing to do with what they say or do. However this is politics and anything can be talked about according to some.

Clinton fulfills a promise to high school graduate

Who says politicians don't keep their promises? Well Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton kept a promise she made to a young lady when she was back in middle school. Senator Clinton told the young lady that if she graduates from high school that she would speak at her graduation and low and beyond, Senator Clinton fulfilled that promise. It is truly a blessing to her that one politician keeps promises. While it didn't hurt that Senator Clinton has known the young lady since she was 2 years old.

However the girl, Aleatha Williams, a campaign volunteer and the daughter of a supporter, introduced the senator to fellow graduates from Pelham Preparatory Academy in the Bronx as "my aunt."

Clinton said she had known Aleatha "and her wonderful mother, Patricia," since the girl was 2 and had promised her when she graduated from eighth grade that she would attend her high school graduation.

"Four years later, here I am with all of you," Clinton said. Now what caught my as interesting is the fact that Senator Clinton was referred to as my aunt by Aleatha. Now Senator Clinton is truly a great person for fulfilling her promise and I hope that other politicians follow in her footsteps. While I have always respected Senator Clinton, I respect her even more for what she has done in fulfilling this small promise and perhaps showing the young men and women who she spoke to that their word is their bond. That's the truth of the matter as I commend Senator Clinton and give her two thumbs up for what any average person should in terms of keeping our word when we say we are going to do something.

Senator Clinton is very much commended for this great deed because while she was on vacation after running an extensively long Democratic Presidential bid, she still made time to speak at Aletha's graduation which shows her commitment. I am proud of Senator Clinton!

News Flash: America Pulls Out of Iraq but sends all its forces to Afghanistan!

Well folks that's the reality that we may face in 2009 with an Obama Presidency. While many us want our troops out of Iraq and home, we might only get one half of that equation. Many sources in the Pentagon and even Senator Obama himself have said that a troop increase in Afghanistan is needed to fight the reemergence of the Taliban. With news reports all ready reporting that nearly thousands of Taliban soldiers were broken out or broke out of prison this past week than, this spells doom for the fight on Terrorism.

While American families want their sons, daughters, fathers, mothers and others home, it seems as if that will not happen because if America pulls out of Iraq under an Obama Presidency they will only be switching countries because they will go from Iraq to Afghanistan. Obama has said that he would bring our forces home from Iraq but supports a troop increase in Afghanistan and that is something that many news outlets are not reporting on. I briefly saw CNN talk about it today but they acted like it was not a big deal that we might see a troop surge in Afghanistan as talk of a troop withdraw or removal goes on about Iraq.

This has to be the most stupidest and dumbest thing I have heard. We are pulling out of one war in order to get into another war that we are already in. Let's face it people, we are fighting two wars and we will be in both of them for a very long time. We still have troops in Afghanistan and with many other countries such as Great Britain already increasing their forces in the country and others asking for the United Nations & NATO to increase troop presence than it seems that America will always be in a war despite what Senator Obama says. Our troops will not be coming any time soon if we are going to increase our forces in Afghanistan as many political pundits, Pentagon officials and world leaders say.

References:
German Minister Wants More Troops in Afghanistan http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3429073,00.html

230 more British troops to be sent to Afghanistan, Browne announces http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/jun/16/foreignpolicy.gordonbrown

Casey: Army needs 3-4 years to recover from war http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jHeAAlvj2OYh-jspbj2s2FL3O67wD91E3B180

Official: Mugabe wins re-election after opposition pulls out

I have not be covering the international news so for those of you who have not heard about what is happening in Zimbabwe than here's the end result of it. Zimbabwe opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai said Sunday he would not participate in Friday's presidential runoff, provoking dismay from international observers and handing an apparent victory to President Robert Mugabe. Tsvangirai announcement comes out of fear of losing many of his supporters lives by Mugabe's army and his supporters. Mugabe will ultimately win re-election because he has oppressed his opposition with terror tactics and fear. If any of you thought that voting in America was hard well it is the like the 1960s and 1970s in America all over again in Zimbabwe as many people have lost their lives already or been thrown in jail for supporting the opposition party and the candidacy of Tsvangirai.

While many of us in America take our voting rights for granted, there are many countries across the world who would love the right to vote in peace. While America's voting system isn't perfect, it doesn't result in any one dying or being jailed now days for voting for an opposite party or supporting an opposite candidate than the current President of the country. Now in America, many people's right to vote has been taken but can you imagine your life being taken for voting or supporting the opposite party's candidate for President. Well in Zimbabwe, this is how it has been been at least a couple months since Mugabe reportedly lost office in the first election which is why a run off was scheduled for this Friday.

Due to the fact that Mugabe didn't release the actual voting results in full detail, it was no one way to dispute those election results that Mugabe claimed showed he won despite the fact that many observers predicted that Mugabe had lost that election. Therefore in a compromise with the world and his opposition party, Mugabe decided to have a run off but not without invoking fear in many Zimbabwe people. Many African countries leaders have advised Mugabe to stop with his terror raid but it seemed as if their talks with Mugabe went on death ear as he continued to increase his police forces to possibly prevent any riots that may occur if he wins re-election.

Now that Mugabe is ultimately all set to win re-election, it is apparent that he will make sure that those who oppose him again will feel his wrath much worse. However for the world's sake, only time will tell what's Mugabe's plan for the future of Zimbabwe.

Tom Ridge not ruling out a VP run

On Fox News with Chris Wallace on Sunday, Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, said he wouldn't rule out being Sen. John McCain's vice president — if asked — but would have to first discuss a policy position that sets him apart from the Arizona senator: Abortion rights. Ridge believes in abortion rights while McCain opposes it but Ridge said he would still support a McCain's administration because one issue doesn't mean McCain is not the better candidate for the job. Nonetheless, in an election year where the unthinkable is the possible, anything can happen or despite political pundits feeling that Ridge's stance hurts his chances as McCain's VP, it might not hurt him at all if he could garner McCain abortion rights and female support that he would not have gotten otherwise. Only time will tell on who McCain's choice for Vice President will be but Ridge is still in the running for now.

Senator: Obama's choice 'doesn't help' financing system

Senator Joe Biden has said that Senator Barack Obama's decision not to accept public finance funds hurts everyone else who uses public finance dollars. "In terms of undermining the public financing idea for everyone, it doesn't help," Biden said on NBC's Meet the Press. "It's going to be harder to make the case" for taxpayer funding." However Biden is not the only Obama supporter who feels the same way. Former South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle said the whole idea behind public finance is to reduce the role of special interests groups and that's exactly what Obama has done with his 1.5 million donors who gave an average of $88. Nonetheless, Obama's decision only helps him in terms of competing this year's election and it could rewrite the public finance system in more ways than one.

Only time will tell on whether Obama's decision will hurt the entire public finance system or not but the truth of the matter is there are pros and cons to any decision someone makes but time as well as history will tell whether Obama's decision to opt out of the public finance system was good or bad for him as well as others. It might turn out to be a good decision for him and a bad decision for future candidates than again it might turn out to be a bad decision for him and a good decision for other candidates. Only time and history will know the real deal. So stay tune and wait.

Obama meets with mayors to unify party

At the U.S. Conference of Mayors in South Florida, Senator Barack Obama met with many mayors who supported Senator Hillary Clinton during the Democratic Party Primary season in order to unify his party and former Clinton supporters behind him for President. While the meeting was sponsored by Chicago Mayor's Richard M. Dailey, a huge Barack Obama supporter from the get go, helped bridge the gap between former Clinton supporters and Obama. Sources at the conference say the meeting was very productive. However while the speech helped bridge the gap in terms of party unity, many mayors at the conference felt Obama's speech was more so ambitious than realistic.

However in his Miami speech, Obama hit notes intended to resonate with mayors of urban cities in tough economic times: "You know what happens when Washington puts out economic policies that work for Wall Street but not Main Street, because it's your towns and cities that get hit when factories close their doors and workers lose their jobs and families lose their homes because of an unscrupulous lender. That's why you need a partner in the White House." Obama promised to increase federal funding for local law enforcement and education, as well as grant money for housing programs and aid for homeowners facing foreclosure.

Despite all the promises and the rhetoric that Obama gave in his speech, some of the Democrats in the audience felt the long list of promises seemed unrealistic. "I think the speech was wonderful," said Don Slesnick, mayor of Coral Gables, Fla. "I also think it was very ambitious -- a little too ambitious." Therefore, the meeting really helped in unifying the party and is a step in the right direction for the Democratic Party despite how the speech was perceived.

Clinton praises Obama's greenhouse policy, sort of

Former President Bill Clinton gave Obama's greenhouse policy plan praise as he told reporters that he preferred Obama's plan of reducing greenhouse gases by 80 percent over McCain's plan of reducing them by 70 percent. While reporters wanted to know when the former President was going to endorse Obama publicly, Clinton just went about his business as usual like he didn't hear the reporter's question. Nonetheless, it is stories like this that continue to fuel speculation that is not needed by the Democratic Party. The headline says it all and brings into question whether real Party Unity can fully be achieved by the Democratic Party if the news media continues to make attempts as if the Clintons are bitter or mad for Hillary not getting the nomination. Only time will tell but if headlines like this continue than this year's election is one for history books in more ways than one.

GOP frets Barr could play spoiler in prez race

Former Congressman Bob Barr could play spoiler for the GOP in 2008. The fiery former GOP congressman who gained national prominence for doggedly pursuing the impeachment of President Clinton, Barr has some Republicans worried that he'll play spoiler in a tight presidential contest and could ultimately cost Republican Party nominee John McCain the Presidency. In fact many observers say that Barr might cost McCain the state of Georgia where Barr is still well known and with Obama's raising black population vote, Georgia is not as guaranteed as many Republicans want to believe this year. Georgia could perhaps swing from red to blue in this year's Presidential race and that is an option that scares many Republicans.

Not only is Barr's Libertarian Party on 30 state ballots already but they are trying to get on the 20 states ballots and this could present major problems with the GOP if it occurs. Barr's Libertarian Party bid for the White House is the longest of long shots, but political experts say he may be able to exploit the unease some die-hard conservatives still feel about Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee-in-waiting. Combined with the surge in turnout among Democrats during the primaries, they see what could be a recipe for trouble for the GOP. This is all similar to the 2000 Presidential race where Ralph Nader played spoiler for the Democratic Party and much like 1992 when Ralph Nader played spoiler for the GOP. Either way, Barr's candidacy is poised to play a significant role in this year's election and only time will tell on how much of an impact it will be.

For McCain's sake, Barr's candidacy better be only talk and he shouldn't garner no more than 1% of the vote. However recent polls show him with 4% of the vote in national polls but Barr's biggest impact may be in his home state of Georgia where McCain is beating Obama by the slimiest of margins, 46% to 45% with Barr picking up nearly 3% or more of the vote. If polls in the state of Georgia continue to look like this than Barr's candidacy as a threat to the GOP nominee will be more than just talk but it will a reality that the GOP and their nominee John McCain will have to derail by any means necessary.

However right now it is only talk and only time will tell all things so let's just see how polls continue to look a couple of months from now.

Recall Kwame! it's not the white boogey man

I looked on Youtube today and found this video called Recall Kwame! it's not the white boogey man. I found it to be quite interesting for those of us who stay in the city of Detroit. The time for change is right here, right now and here is your opportunity. For those of us who want Kwame gone than don't sit back and watch as he continues to get his money but instead start recalling him by getting a petition now. Let's face it, the city is constantly losing money while Kwame continues to hire lawyers to fight off City Council, police officers suing him and the perjury charges that he faces from Wayne County Prosecutor Kim Worthy's office.

So the time to be heard is right here, right now. Call 313-879-5045 and be apart of the movement to recall Kwame Kilpatrick. If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired than do something about it right here, right now cause y'all's boy just ain't getting the job done like he should have.

Vice presidential picks: What really matters?

This article caught my attention because what really matters in a vice presidential pick. There are several criteria that they mentioned but to name a few:

-- Qualified to be president.

-- Shares the agenda of the boss. "Whoever's in the White House doesn't want to have to look over his or her shoulder at the vice president to make sure they're not marching off in some different direction," Galen said.

-- Shores up the candidate's weak spots. For Obama, this would be experience and national security. For McCain, age and the economy.

-- Sends a message: A female or minority pick would signal inclusiveness and boldness for either candidate. Picking Clinton would be a direct appeal to her supporters from Obama. Picking former rival and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee would send a message from McCain that he embraces Christian evangelicals.

-- Helps the Electoral College math. This is a last consideration, only after others are met and a candidate is really struggling in a must-have state such as Pennsylvania or Florida. Such calculations often fail. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry lost North Carolina in 2004 despite having that state's Sen. John Edwards on the ticket.

This is what Senators John McCain and Barack Obama must consider in choosing a Vice Presidential nominee. The position of VP is a position that is dreaded but the reality is that recently it brings a lot of perks and the position carries a lot of weight within an administration. Bush Sr. brought weight to Reagen's ticket and Al Gore literally redefined the position of Vice President while Dick Cheney has strengthened the position with his policy decisions the last 8 years. Nonetheless, a Vice President can help you win an election like in did for JFK when he choose LBJ as his Vice President. Nonetheless, such cases of a Vice President helping a ticket are slim because clearly in 2004 John Edwards didn't help John Kerry as much as people would have taught.

However the choosing of a Vice President is just one part of the equation. The second part of the equation is how do you use your Vice Presidential candidate. In 2004, I believe the Kerry camp didn't strategically use Edwards right in the campaign. Edwards is a natural statesman but the Kerry camp didn't use his strengths in the right direction so that he could win some of the southern states. If Kerry really wanted to win in 2004 than he would have allowed Edwards to campaign more vigorously in southern states like his home states of North Carolina and South Carolina as well as Tennessee, Florida and Kentucky in hopes of trying to redraw the electoral map back in 2004. Nonetheless, that was not the case.

Therefore my best advice to Senators Obama and McCain is to use your Vice Presidential pick strengths to your advantage. Allow your VP choice to be what made you choose them in the first place. If you don't use the strengths of your VP choice than why have him or her on the ticket in the first place. Now don't get me wrong, some VP choices are just safe picks like Dan Quayle, Joe Liberman or Dick Cheney but others like Edwards, LBJ, Al Gore and Bush Sr., have mass appeal that can be used just like they were President. So use your VP choices wisely once you figure out who your Vice President will be.

Obama Plans National Push on Ads and Turnout

Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama is launching a 50 State national campaign effort aimed at ads and voter turnout. This should not be a surprise but since the news media and print news are making a big deal about it, I wanted to weigh it. This is what am Presidential candidate should do in order to win the White House. However in recent Presidential races, the Democratic Party usually focuses on swing states and states that they know they can win. However Obama plans to redraw the Electoral College map and he believes he can win all 50 states and with his wealth of money, he can really compete in all 50 states. The Democratic Party started a 50 state campaign under the new leadership of DNC Chairman Howard Dean when he took over the DNC. Upon taking over the DNC Dean has sought to establish the Democratic Party in all 50 states and his plan could really aid Obama in his efforts of making Republican Presidential nominee John McCain and the Republican Party play more defense than offense in this year's 2008 Presidential race.

Obama has already released his first national ad in 18 states with 15 of them being Republican states and many of those states are state that Obama and his camp believe they can possibly win. Nonetheless, Obama's plan for a National Push on Ads and voter turnout is critical because this year, Obama has to depend on a higher voter turnout in a lot of swing states in order to pull off the victory in November. Otherwise, history could repeat itself with Obama winning the popular vote by a very large margin but losing the electoral college. The possibility of this happening is slim but it is still a possibility that Obama and the Democratic Party faces.

Nonetheless, his efforts right now could combat that possibility because his political war chest is groundbreaking and could even get even bigger. So if Obama can continue to raise money at the pace he is raising it and plays offense in many states considered red than it could force the RNC and Senator McCain to spend more money than they planned in many red states that they thought were safe. Such a plan would force McCain to be on the defensive rather than the offensive which could ultimately hurt him in many swing states such as Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Either way, Obama's strategy is smart and it just may pay off in an election year where the race for President will rewrite history books for at least 4 years until the next election comes around.

DPS Superintendent & School Board are Idiots!

How can anyone in their right mind talk about laying people off but are still hiring people. As of June 16, 2008, Connie Calloway, superintendent of Detroit Public Schools recently signed off on at least hiring about 30 or more employees mostly teachers and promoting approximately 30 or more to different positions as well as declassifying some. However at the exact same meeting where a lot of this took place, her and the Detroit Public School Board are talking about laying off nearly 1,400 DPS employees with a possible 800 or more of them being teachers. So I ask you how stupid or how much of an idiot are they to be hiring new teachers but talking about laying off others.

What is going on Detroit? Why are we standing by as Detroit citizens, teachers unions, and other unions in the city of Detroit as idiots continue to make bone head decisions. Thant he justification that our superintendent and the board will give for the new hires, promotions and reclassification's are that they are unnecessary employees. What in the world is an unnecessary employee? Is an unnecessary employee even needed in a district that is crying it broke. If we are hiring or promoting unnecessary employees than are we saying that the teachers and others who are facing being laid off are necessary employees.

Okay excuse me, maybe I am twisting Superintendent Calloway's words or our school board members words. Maybe they might to say that the nearly 1,400 DPS employees that might be laid off, they are unnecessary employees and the ones that they are hiring, promoting and reclassifying are necessary employees. So now they are telling us that firing nearly 800 plus teachers is justifiable because those teachers are unnecessary and can be replaced. Now I was sitting at a luncheon today with educators and administrators and many of them said that it was a point in time when the district needed qualified teachers and made regular subs or emergency subs permanent teachers. Now in 2008, we are saying that teachers no matter if they are qualified or not are unnecessary employees.

I guess the employees that work down at the at all three school center building locations are necessary employees because I don't hear about any of them losing their jobs. I guess any of the people that came in with Superintendent last year are necessary employees because there is no talk about any of them losing their jobs or perhaps taking a pay cut. The reality is that Superintendent Calloway and the School Board don't care about any one but themselves and their friends because any time you can sit up and fire two teachers in front of a packed audience when we already lost one lawsuit to them, brings me to question how in the world, can we cry broke but in the same breath disobey a judges order. Now we are going to face an upcoming lawsuit thanks to our unloved School Board and Superintendent for firing Steven Cohen and Heather Miller who are married and participated in a May 1, 2007 protest that resulted in hundreds of students being maced by Detroit Public School Security.

Yes a judge ruled in favor of Cohen and Miller saying DPS had to accept them back to work and pay them in back pay. However DPS accepted them back but put them on leave and paid them while they were on leave this year. Thus the married couple told the board and Calloway to make a decision on their future for next year now because they were ready to go back to work. However our idiot board and dumb superintendent decided to fire them rather than reinstatement fully.

Now our broke Detroit Public School District not only faces losing 1,400 employees with majority of them being 800 teachers but we will be facing a lawsuit that could have been avoided. I don't know what's worse in the city of Detroit, our school board or our Mayor & City Council. In fact I am going to say both and the citizens of Detroit are even worst for accepting this type of stupidity. We need to jail all the idiots on our school board and Superintendent Calloway and while we are at it jail Mayor Kwame Kilpartick and all our City Council members for the mismanagement of tax payer dollars. Where is the RECO act when you need it? I'm tired of hearing about the Federal Government coming to Detroit to investigate the financial happenings that have occurred but we need to do something now to make a difference and it starts with us the citizens taking back our school board and city by not electing any more idiots and by recalling all the idiots that we currently have in office.

References:
2 Detroit teachers fired after protest thttp://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080620/SCHOOLS/806200407/1026

DPS board unlikely to approve budget http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080619/NEWS01/80619036/1003/news

Hundreds of union members protest proposed Detroit school layoffs http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080619/SCHOOLS/806190488&imw=Y

DPS nixes budget plan, aims to fix deficit http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080620/NEWS01/806200325&imw=Y