Justice and Vote Fraud

Lawyers who supervise voting rights are Obama donors.

We've all read a lot about the "politicization" of the Justice Department in recent years, and that political pounding is having an ironic effect. The prosecutors who are supposed to guard against voter fraud don't seem very interested in running the political risk of doing their job.

If voter fraud would ever be ripe for investigation, this would seem to be the year with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (Acorn) having been caught filing thousands of bogus voter registrations in at least 14 states. Acorn's history of deceit and the national sweep of today's scandal demand a federal probe. Safeguarding the integrity of the vote is every bit as important as protecting access to the polls, yet Democrats want Justice to pay attention only to the latter.

House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers recently sent two letters to Attorney General Michael Mukasey deploring a news leak that the FBI is investigating Acorn, and warning Justice to focus instead on "voter suppression." Barack Obama has also joined in this political intimidation, demanding in two letters that Mr. Mukasey appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Justice staff who he claims are engaged in "unlawful coordination" with John McCain's campaign to pursue "so-called 'election fraud.'" There is zero evidence that such coordination exists, but it is remarkable that a Presidential nominee would dismiss election fraud as a myth.

The lawyers at the Civil Rights Division are already falling into line. Justice recently decided to reverse a policy in place since 2002 to send criminal attorneys and other federal employees to monitor polling places. The decision came two weeks after a September meeting to which the Civil Rights Division invited dozens of left-wing activist groups to discuss voter "access" to the polls.

Justice has also failed to enter the fray in Ohio. As many as 200,000 new voter registrations in that state are suspect, yet Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is refusing to follow the 2002 Help America Vote Act that requires her to verify these registrations. The Ohio Republican Party sued Mrs. Brunner, but the Supreme Court said the GOP lacked standing. Justice does have standing -- it is charged with upholding that law -- but has ignored the fight. The Justice excuse is that it isn't appropriate to file litigation so close to Election Day.

Yet that hasn't stopped the Civil Rights Division this month from filing a lawsuit against Waller County, Texas, to correct alleged violations of the Voting Rights Act; a lawsuit against Vermont for failing to report accurately on overseas ballots; and an amicus brief in a case filed by a civil-rights group that is suing to stop the Georgia Secretary of State from complying with voter verification rules. Justice's election suits always seem to side with liberal priorities.

It doesn't help Justice's credibility that attorneys charged with supervising voting issues are avowed Barack Obama supporters. According to Federal Election Commission data, James Walsh, an attorney in the Civil Rights Division, has donated at least $300 to Mr. Obama. His boss, Mark Kappelhoff, has given $2,250 -- nearly the maximum. John Russ, also in Civil Rights, gave at least $600 to Mr. Obama.

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to make these attorneys available to us, though she didn't deny that the contributions were made. She noted that the Hatch Act does not forbid federal employees from donating to candidates, and that Justice's internal "standards for recusal" on prosecutions depend on any "given situation." Apparently so.

Vote fraud is real and can affect elections. In 2001, the Palm Beach Post reported that more than 5,600 people who voted in Florida in the 2000 Presidential election had names and data that perfectly matched a statewide list of suspected felons who were barred from voting. Florida was decided by about 500 votes.

In 2003, the Indiana Supreme Court overturned the result of a mayor's race because of absentee ballot fraud -- a case that led to a stricter Indiana ID law recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. A 2005 Tennessee state Senate race was voided after evidence of voting by felons, nonresidents and the deceased. A Washington State Superior Court judge found that the state's 2004 gubernatorial race, which Democrat Christine Gregoire won by 133 votes, had included at least 1,678 illegal votes.

Voter access does need to be protected, but Democrats are using that principle as a political weapon, suggesting that any serious look at fraud is intended to "disenfranchise" voters. This is a naked attempt to protect their friends at Acorn, who have been registering thousands of phony voters. Congress put the voter fraud statutes on the books, and Justice is obliged to enforce them.

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Barack Obama Historical Acceptance Speech at DNC

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) accepts his party's nomination for President and speaks to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

OBAMA: Convention Bio Video/Intro

For Obama, improbable path to the Dem nomination

Talk about audacity. A year ago, Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and at least a few others in the crowded race for the Democratic presidential nomination seemed to agree on one thing: She was the big favorite; he might just be a flash in the pan. "The novelty's going to wear off," one of the contenders predicted when excitement flared over Obama's candidacy. That appraisal was from Obama, talking about himself. Now he stands ready to accept the party's nomination in Denver, a black man who triumphed over history; a lightly experienced senator who prevailed over national security veterans in a time of peril; a non-Clinton who defeated a Clinton — imagine THAT.

The title of his 2006 book, "The Audacity of Hope," became a kind of prophecy for his improbable achievement. Obama came to national attention the old-fashioned way. Like men of past centuries in stiff suits and top hats, he stood up, gave a great speech and made people want to hear more. That was at the 2004 Democratic convention when he was keynote speaker, a showcase slot that usually does little for the careers of those who fill it. Democrats loved the oratory. But they knew that if they lost the 2004 election, Hillary Clinton would be ready to roll. They did. She was.

"She's unstoppable," John Catsimatidis, a New York businessman and member of Clinton's finance team, said a month after she joined the race in January 2007 with a Webcast from her living room couch. "She's got such a machine." John Edwards begged to differ. So did the other Democratic hopefuls, among them the foreign policy mavens Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson. Clinton predicted early on that she'd have the nomination in the bag by Feb. 5 this year, Super Tuesday. Meantime, Obama was soaking up cash, stirring crowds and wondering if at least some of this energy was the audacity of hype.

"I think to some degree I've become a shorthand or a symbol or a stand-in for now," he said. "It's a spirit that says we are looking for different." His victory in the leadoff Iowa caucuses changed perceptions overnight. Edwards came second; Clinton, a dispiriting third. Obama had wowed white crowds and done the practically unthinkable with young people — getting them off their rear ends on an election day. New Hampshire, the first primary, made Clinton the latest comeback kid, just as her husband had been when he revived his candidacy in that state in 1992. And the race settled into a slog — sometimes nobly gritty; other times ugly, seething and condescending.

Remember this one? "You're likable enough, Hillary," Obama said in one debate, grating words for Clinton supporters and a lot of women. Former President Clinton branded Obama's Iraq stance a "fairy tale" and took the contest into a personal realm that no amount of glad-handing at the convention will be able to erase completely. Obama, rarely one to lose his cool, snapped that he didn't know which Clinton he was running against sometimes. All of that before racist remarks by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright were injected into the already combustible mix, prompting Obama to speak head on about race in America and finally to leave Wright's church.

The Democrats plowed through 56 contests, 21 debates and hundreds of millions of dollars. The also-ran rivals peeled away. Among them, Richardson and Edwards left with the greatest cachet, their endorsements the most coveted. Obama won both — from Richardson when it counted, from Edwards late in the game, while Biden eventually returned to the scene as Obama's running mate. Edwards had brought both passion and drama to the campaign. He exhorted the nation to take on poverty when others preferred to talk about the middle class. He stood poignantly by his wife Elizabeth's side as they told Americans her cancer had returned and was incurable. Only later came the soap opera that left Democrats surely wondering what a pickle they would be in now if he had won.

Just weeks before the convention, a shamed Edwards acknowledged an affair, denied he fathered the ex-mistress's child and left plenty of lingering questions. His national finance chairman admitted sending her money while denying that was to keep her quiet. By then Obama was playing in the waves in Hawaii, the prize his and soon to be claimed. Even so, his long-ago worries about the staying power of his pinch-me celebrity had proved partly right along the way. Things got tougher for him the more Clinton hung on — and hang on she did, until all the states and territories had their say.

He had problems winning white support after all. She kept piling up victories in big states. And the man who packs a stadium like no other politician of his generation came uncomfortably close to needing the party bigwigs known as superdelegates to rescue him. But he survived the Clintons' wringer all right. This was a man whose political accomplishments, unlike other parts of his life story, had come easily in the past. He has been tested now.

Obama says kids won't be doing any more interviews

Barack Obama's family recently did a full detailed interview that has reportedly gained a lot of attention from many news outlets. While the piece of the interview that I saw was quite cute and warming and portrayed the Obama family as the typical average American family. In fact, the Obama girls offered a some quite funny comments but I believe them speaking and opening up really helped Obama with more of the American family vote. The overall interview is highly praised through just about every news outlet but both Barack and Michelle said that their kids will not be doing any more interviews.

I fully respect the privacy of the Obama's and them feeling that they don't want their children to be in the media lime light as much as the Obama's really are. Therefore being a parent for both Barack and Michelle is extremely hard but their latest decision clearly shows that they are not willing to jeopardize everything in their life in order to garner votes. So they are telling reporters once again to lay off their kids and that their kids will do no more interviews. In fact the Obama's say that they were perhaps too open when making the original decision to allow their children to do the first interview in the first place.

So after clearly thinking about and seeing all the attention that the original Obama family interview had gotten before it originally aired, the Obama's have decided that their children will not be doing any more interviews.

Breaking news: Now, Jim Webb takes himself off Obama's VP list

Senator Jim Webb of Virginia has recently told Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama to take him off his short list of Vice Presidential Candidates. Senator Webb says that he wants to remain in the Senate but is still an Obama supporter. Senator Webb's decision is just the lastest of decisions regarding who is willing and not willing to take the Vice Presidential nomination. Webb's decision doesn't hurt Webb at all and it definitely doesn't hurt Obama but clearly Webb if he was on a short list of Vice Presidential candidates was not very high on the list anyone.

In fact I still can't see what Webb could have given the Obama ticket besides the state of Virginia. Outside of that, I can't see Webb helping Obama in any other swing state or help Obama much with Obama's inexperience or foreign policy. Well I wish Senator Jim Webb the best of luck with his future political career and I just hope he means what he says and doesn't flip flop on the Vice Presidential issue like so many others have.

References:

Webb Takes Name Off List Of Possible Obama Choices http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121546604146233727.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Webb Pulls Out of Obama Vice Presidential Consideration http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/07/07/webb-pulls-out-of-obama-vice-presidential-consideration/

Webb to Remain in Senate, No longer VP Candidate http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/webb-to-remain.html

McCain, Obama duel on economic fix-it plans

Both Presidential candidates are dueling it out over the economy. Both Senators Barack Obama and John McCain are trying to sell their fix it economic plans to the American public but many Americans are weary of both plans. While Obama's plan is a major difference than the Bush administration current economic plan, it doesn't really give a lot of full detail into how it will address the current situations that many Americans are currently facing.

Obama has given hundreds of speeches on what Americans need and what America needs in order to fix its economy, it is still unclear as to how Obama will accomplish some of his economic initiatives but still has plan offers a change that could perhaps turn around America's current economic woes or it could make things worse if they bring too much of a change that it leaves no room to protect America's current core economic foundations. However McCain's plan is not much better because it is very similar to the Bush administration current economic plan with a twink here and there.

Nonetheless, McCain is criticized for being out of touch with voters on the economy and on social issues. Also it doesn't help McCain that he said he doesn't know much about the economy. So many voters say that while McCain is being real in what he can and cannot do, it still is not enough because voters are ailing now. McCain has try to be as real as possible with voters about the economy and what he plans to do to help them as President but at the same time, he has told voters that they have to allow some things to work itself out and that government needs to cutback on its spending and start fixing of the social programs that are out there for the people.

However Obama's economic plan and has understanding of what is currently taking place gives him a little bit more of a edge as many Americans continue to face the economic woes that they are placed in. So as the two Presidential candidates duel it out on their economic fix-it plans, it is fair to see that when it comes to the economy, neither candidate has shown much action while they are currently sitting in the Senate. In fact, it is fair to say that mortgage companies are getting more aid than home owners during the current mortgage foreclosure crisis. Therefore Obama and McCain both have a lot of work to do in order to earn the votes of voters who are still weary about the economy and who can fix it.

References:

Today on the presidential campaign trail http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iNxTApa2sQRu0Xx99P3jt2bEXw7gD91P8G281

McCain, Obama outline competing economic plans http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/07/mccain_obama_ou.html

McCain, Obama highlight economic plans http://www.necn.com/Boston/Politics/McCain-Obama-highlight-economic-plans/1215464401.html

Obama to accept nomination at football stadium

Senator Barack Obama and his campaign team has decided to take the Democratic Presidential nomination not inside but outdoors at Invesco Field in Mile High, the home of the Denver Broncos. Invesco Field sits 76,000 people and Obama and his campaign say that by accepting the nomination in the larger venue rather than the smaller arena where the Democratic Convention will be held, it gives more of the American public an opportunity to come hear his speech in person. Obama's campaign says that by accepting the speech at a football stadium, it should really give more people access to history in the making.

Some question whether Obama can pull off such an opportunity but to be honest, Obama is used to giving speeches in large venues and he perhaps such audiences better than small crowds. Clearly if Obama wanted a small crowd than he would have been accepted John McCain's town hall proposal and put McCain out of his misery a long time ago. Thus Obama's momentum heading into the convention should be real high since he plans to give a speech in Europe perhaps at the Berlin gates where President Reagan gave his famous "Tear Down the Berlin wall" speech.

So Obama is really taking full advantage of his large crowd appeal and it will be in full effect as he accepts the Democratic Presidential nomination in front of a packed crowd of 76,000 people. That is the goal and I expect him to exceed that number by 4,000 plus. It will be a standing crowd only and for those who have never seen so many people in one place at one team than be prepared to be amazed at the Democratic National Convention.

References:

Barack Obama shakes up the Democratic National Convention http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2008/07/barack-obama-in.html

Obama to accept nomination before up to 76,000 http://www.examiner.com/a-1476352~Obama_to_accept_nomination_before_up_to_76_000.html

US election 2008: Public to attend Obama convention speech http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/08/barackobama.uselections2008

Obama courts evangelicals with stress on faith

Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama is courting evangelical votes by stressing his faith base initiative plan. In fact Obama's faith based initiative plan would only expand on President George W. Bush's original faith based programs. Obama is clearly pulling out all the stops as he courts the conservative base of evangelicals who might just listen to Obama now that he is putting together a faith based program that expands on what the Bush administration already started.

Not everyone is in agreement on Obama's new faith program but one thing is for sure and that is Obama is trying to go after every vote imaginable by putting together a plan that is aimed toward empowering churches to work with governmental programs. In fact Obama's plan will give churches more funds if they help members of their church and others by educating them on how to use certain government programs that could help the members of the church as well as the general public around the church. Obama believes that some government programs have not be utilized to their fullest by the general public and if they church would work with the government in teaching people how these programs could benefit them than both sides can win.

Obama says that many churches already use many governmental programs already and that the same advantages that churches get out of using governmental programs are the advantages he wants all Americans to have. However he pointed to the fact that by empowering churches with more resources to engage the general public will only help the public gain the necessary access to resources that many in the public need.

Thus Obama's new faith base initiative program strategy is surely a political ploy but it is one that could pay off in the general election and it is one that could actually work in the long haul for America. However time will tell and that's the only thing we can do right now as Obama explores new heights in positioning himself to the center of the electorate.

References:

Obama courts conservatives with new faith program http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jqqqF79sCN4HSE6uVrPQVBQpYZVwD91LDPOO1

Obama Proposes Expanding Aid to Faith-Based Programs (Update1) http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a4TbbVlw0jtM&refer=home

Obama plan would expand faith-based program http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/01/america/02campaigncnd.php

Obama to expand Bush's faith based programs http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jqqqF79sCN4HSE6uVrPQVBQpYZVwD91L8H081

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Obama apologizes to Muslim women

Senator Barack Obama did the right thing this week by finally calling the two Muslim women who were snubbed by Obama volunteers on Tuesday at an Obama rally. Senator Obama made the call and that's all I asked for and I thank for apologizing to the women and like I previously said, I hope Obama's next visit to the state of Michigan is a smooth and easy one because the last couple have not been. Therefore I applaud Obama for making the apology but I hope his next apology to the Detroit citizens about his misstatement that Detroit schools have been failing for decades when it has only been for a decade which has been since the Detroit Public Schools were taken over in 1998 by the State of Michigan. Thus stripping the citizens of Detroit of its right to elect a school board and a superintendent.

Nonetheless, I am proud of Senator Obama doing the right thing and I hope this does not happen again while the campaign trail.