The Times and the McCain Op-Ed

The New York Times decided to reject John McCain's Op-Ed piece a week after accepting a piece by Barack Obama. The whole situation between McCain and the Times is one that could have been resolved prior to the McCain sending an Op-Ed if the Times has in advance sent the McCain camp a list of how they wanted them to phrase their Op-Ed. Instead, one person decided that the Op-Ed was not good enough and compared the piece to Obama piece by saying that they are looking for a format similarly to Obama's piece which presented new ideas or flip flops some might say on Iraq.

However to be fair, McCain's Op-Ed piece should have been accepted because this is what they wanted the New York Times readers to read. The Times does not reserve the right to say what type of Op-Ed they are looking for because did they send this message to the Obama campaign in advance prior to their submission. McCain and Obama are two different people so you cannot expect McCain to revise his Op-Ed in order for it to look similar to Obama's piece. That is not the way politics are and for that reason, McCain drafted his Op-Ed the way he felt would grab the Times readers attention. Op-Ed's are opinion pieces and this is the opinion of how McCain views the Iraq war and his stance on the war will not change so the Times should accept it and don't force him to.

I don't know what Op-Ed editor David Shipley was thinking but it was not fair and Shipley should be have shown fairness in his judgment by first accepting McCain's Op-Ed than perhaps publishing a piece the next day or next week comparing McCain's and Obama's Op-Ed piece by pointing out why McCain's piece is not what the Times was looking for and how it was too critical of Obama and not real clear on McCain's vision for the future of Iraq like Obama's Op-Ed was. Therefore Shipley's letter to the McCain camp would not have been needed and that would not have made the McCain camp want to compose a video about the media's blatant love for Obama. So for now, the McCain camp and even some rank and file Republicans plan to tell the New York Times to print McCain's Op-Ed by writing to the paper expressing their dislike for their recent decision in regards to not printing McCain's Op-Ed.

Now what really makes this whole controversy between the Times and McCain bad is that Shipley not only rejected McCain's Op-Ed but he went on vacation afterwards by stating he will be out of office all this week if the McCain camp decides to resubmit the piece this week. That was the most hilarious piece of the letter sent to the McCain camp that I saw. You reject something and in the same breath tell them you are going to be out of the office the rest of the week but you can be in touch with blah, blah if you decide to resubmit your Op-Ed piece with the revisions I have suggest.

References:

McCain opinion article rejected by New York Times http://www.reuters.com/article/middleeastCrisis/idUSN21363455

Exclusive: Advance Copy of McCain's New Op-Ed for the New Times http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-heffernan/exclusive-advance-copy-of_b_114409.html

Michigan voters say Obama's race a factor to many -- but not them

Barack Obama's race might be a factor for some but Michigan voters say that his race is not a factor for whether or not they will vote for Obama or not. However John McCain's age is a problem with many Michigan voters who are trying to decide to who to vote for in November's Presidential election. The latest poll coming out of Michigan shows that a small percentage of Michigan voters is willing to say Barack Obama's race will be a factor in their vote for president, but a larger segment says John McCain's age is a concern.

The Detroit News/WXYZ-Action News poll shows nearly a quarter of likely voters believe McCain's age -- he'll be 72 next month -- will affect their choice for the White House in November, and 83 percent think age will be a negative consideration for other voters. Some believe that McCain's a little too old and people are looking for change and looking for somebody younger with the energy to be able to get us out of the slump we're in. However young has not always meant good to Michigan voters particularly when you look around the state and see its economy slumping and its largest city, Detroit facing so many problems with its youngest mayor. While I'm not comparing Obama to Kilpatrick but one thing is for sure and that is Obama came from the Chicago political machine like Kilpatrick came from the Detroit political machine. Therefore in both Chicago and Detroit politics, you will find that people who come from those machines are apart of a larger scale of power, arrogance and a little bit of corruption.

Friends of mine who come live and stay in Chicago have offered me various versions of how Obama really is but the more I hear about Obama and how he came up in Chicago, I begin to realize that Obama has two sides but one main goal is in mind for him and that is winning a political office. Obama is all about winning and knows exactly how to manipulate things to get his way according to some. However as we look at the latest poll in Michigan, it shows that people believe that as one gets old, the body slows down and one has to gracefully accept it. As much as one might try, health problems sometimes kick in. Therefore with only 5 percent of Michigan voters admitting Obama's African-American heritage will play a role in their own vote -- either for or against him -- 77 percent believe other voters will be less likely to support him because of his race.

One thing is for sure and that Obama does have to sell himself to many voters in Michigan who are just seeing him and getting to know about him up close and in person as he campaigns in the state now. The minister controversy might still be in some Michigan voters heads who don't understand why Obama continued to go to the church he went to and some voters even believe that while a lot of people say race will have no effect, but when you are in that tiny voting booth and the curtains close, I think a lot of people will say they don't want an African-American for president. Race has especially gotten heated up again, the black-white thing in the wake of the city of Detroit scandal. For year's race has been an issue between the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan with Detroit have the largest African American population percentage for a city in the US at nearly 85%.

That's why with Obama being the first African-American to be the presumptive nominee of a major party for president, it has really made a candidate's race a new election dynamic. Now Obama's race should have nothing to do with his qualifications and neither should McCain's age have anything to do with is qualifications because the new generation seems to take people for who they are and that is the motto that everyone in America should know. It is truly something to watch the next upcoming months to how will Obama's race and McCain's age plays a factor in who's America's next President. I do believe that many people have moved beyond race so it's not a big deal for them like it probably would have been during the 1960s or 70s or the 80s for that matters. However I will not go so far as to say people are color-blind, but I think first of all, fortunately for Obama, this election is really not about him. This election is about George Bush. If one was offered the choice between being black and having George Bush hung around their neck, I believe they would choose black.

Now the issue of age is not a new debate to presidential politics because Ronald Reagan heard it in 1988 when at 73 he became the oldest man elected president. The late great JFK (John Kennedy) heard it, too, in 1960 when at age 43 he was elected America's youngest president. Therefore age cuts both ways: Wisdom and sense of history are usually attributable to age, but vigor and vitality to youth. Many people will not necessarily be looking at age but they will be watching the physical energy of both men. So far, when people look at the outward appearances of the candidates, Obama has considerable and boundless energy and that doesn't come across with McCain.

McCain, who has had three bouts with melanoma, spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and as a result of poor treatment can't lift his arms over his head. Nonetheless, it has stopped many from beng enthusiatic about McCain and many believe that since McCain has a 96 year old mom who is feisty as all get out that he can be the same way. McCain's medical history might be hard to grasp for some but the medial folks say he is fine. So McCain's age should not be a factor in this election and neither should Obama's race. So I hope that the voters of Michigan and the United States don't use a man's race or age as a reason not to be vote for them but instead looks at each candidate policies to make their decision as to who they will support come this November.


References:
Poll: Barack Obama, John McCain in tight race in Michigan; Nader, Barr could be spoilers http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-poll-2008-michigan,0,3478266.story

Poll shows McCain, Obama in tight Michigan race http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/politics-1/121667964977130.xml&storylist=michigannews#continue

EXCLUSIVE: Poll Shows MI Dead Heat http://www.wxyz.com/content/news/2008vote/story.aspx?content_id=368148b9-40c2-4716-b1ee-49b4903a9155

McCain campaign optimistic about Michigan http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080722/NEWS15/80722092/1215

Who will win the Obama vs. Obama election?

From Maine to the shores of Alaska and Hawaii, it seems as if this year's Presidential election between John McCain and Barack Obama is the hot button topic of every one's daily conversations. However what many people are confused about is why are the polls so close between someone who has a rock star image and a persona that is so charismatic that he could probably talk you into giving him the clothes off your back as you walk home naked versus someone who is like your great grandfather and barely remembers when he's comng or going yet alone what day or year it might be. So is this year's Presidential campaign really about Obama vs. McCain when if you look at all that is taking place from high gas prices to high food prices and a failing economy, it is hard to understand why McCain is even running neck and neck with the likes of the gaint rock star stature of Obama.

The only answer that I can give for this is that this election is not about Obama vs. McCain but it more so about Obama vs. Obama. Yes Obama might be his own problem in this year's historic Presidential election for him. While Obama has shown that he is a strong viable candidate but as he prepares for the general election, he has to do more to ensure that many of the voters that did not vote for him during the Democratic primary season go his way this go round. Secondly Obama has to make sure that his ego doesn't get in the way of his primary goal and that his elitism stature doesn't stick as more and more bloggers continues to write about the real Obama including a blogger friend of mine, Zack, who first met Obama while he was in high school in Chicago with his mom at the famous Harold Chicken. Obama is literally running an election versus himself because this race should not be close but because Obama has not capitalized on his opportunities to win over voters that should go Democratic this year, the race is close and could swing McCain in key battleground states.

The Hillary Factor--Upscale, white "Sex and the City" women are still livid over how they perceive the Obama people treatment of Hillary Rodham Clinton during the Democratic primaries. Therefore Obama has a major, major problem there and many of those women feel Obama has done nothing to address that very issue. I'm not saying that women will vote for McCain but it looks as if many are actually considering voting for him if Obama doesn't step up the plate to address that very issue of how Hillary was treated. Plus it doesn't help Obama that he snubbed Hillary at a fundraising event in New York by not mentioning her name during his speech to the crowd and left the stage only to come back two minutes later to say oh yeah and give to Hillary too.

Now the real scary outcome of these women is not just them voting for McCain but perhaps many of them will decide to stay home in November resulting in many MIA voters that usually vote Democrat. So the missing in action women who pledged loyalty to Clinton could be the very one's to decide this year's Presidential election by many of them not coming out to vote for Obama. This is one problem that if it occurs could force Obama to work harder to win more of the African American and youth vote as well as perhaps continue to bring non-traditional voters to the mix more than ever come November. As Obama looks at the electoral map, he must also look deep inside himself to find a way to overcome the Hillary factor and secure up majority of Hillary's women supporter base that helped her win so many primaries and contests during the Democratic Presidential race for the Presidential nomination.

Jewish Sentiment--Another issue that Obama has to deal with is the Jewish vote particularly the Jewish Democrats in New York who have real hesitation about Obama. Many of these voters are upset about Obama trying to play the middle in regards to Israel. While Hillary has tried to bring these voters to Obama side, it is still not enough when Obama himself has not done enough to show that he truly cares about Jewish voters concerns in terms of his policy making. In fact the only major speech Obama gave that showed any tough talk on Israel was at the APEC conference where he expressed diplomacy as well military might to show its support to Israel if necessary.

True Believers--These are the voters who are really taking a long hard look at Obama for the first time or are Obama supporters and they are starting to see how Obama is changing as he gears up for the general election in November. In fact many of these voters are now upset with Obama about his moving to the middle on Iraq, gun control, the death penalty and everything else that happens when a candidate suddenly gets more "educated" on the issues or at least more educated in the sense of trying to secure the undecided and true independent voters out there who perhaps didn't vote in the Democratic or Republican Presidential primaries or caucuses.

The Republican Power Wings--Therefore it is Obama vs. Obama which makes this Presidential race all the more interesting because its a wide-open race among undecideds. While everyone is talking up the Democrats in Denver especially since the announcement that Obama will accept the Democratic Presidential nomination at the Denver Broncos football stadium but the Republicans will have one hell of a convention as well that will be must see. One can not underestimate the right wing and the Libertarian types' ability to make it interesting because they will.

With guys like Steve Schmidt running John McCain's campaign, than you are bound to see some Karl Rove tactics because he is like Karl Rove's son. Schmidt is probably one of the best targeter of voters in the country. He really knows how to connect one-on-one with voters. He doesn't just do polling like other consultants but he uses commercial market studies. Schmidt reduces voting to who shops at Wal-Mart, Target and Costco and how to talk to them. He doesn't give a damn about Wilkes Bashford or Nordstrom shoppers. Schmidt checks out what kind of cars voters are driving, where voters shop, what kind of things they buy, what programs they watch on TV, what they do on weekends.

Schmidt's assessment and tailors the campaign's message to convince people that his candidate has your deepest interest at heart. Schmidt is most known for running Arnold Schwarzenegger's re-election campaign but McCain is no Arnold. So it is hard for me or anyone to figure out how he's going to market McCain but I can tell you that just like Rove, Schmidt won't know how he did it until the election is over. That's why despite the genius of Schmidt is something that Obama cannot underestimate cause for every Schmidt and Karl Rove that McCain and the Republican party has, there are five more just like them in states all across America.

Obama's mission now is to use all that he already knows to combat as well as out work, out maneuver, out think, out spend, out fund raise and out do the political pundits, the nay sayers and the doubters as he marches on toward what could be a very historical Presidential run in so many ways than one.

References:
Time to examine Obama's record http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=fa501bee-7dfe-4b6a-b6e8-d4f404e5ca32

Israel yet to catch Obamania http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11870.html

Barack Obama's super marketing machine http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/07/16/obama_data/

Obama's paid staff dwarfing McCain's http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/07/20/obamas_paid_staff_dwarfing_mccains/
What Obama’s ‘50-state strategy’ will look like http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/16262.html

Michigan back in national spotlight

The presidential campaigns on both the Republican and Democratic side seemed like they were everywhere but Michigan a few months ago. The Democrats were avoiding the state, and the Republicans had come and gone. An early primary strategy adopted by leaders of both parties had backfired, leaving the voters of Michigan disenfranchised and cheated out of their democratic duties to some degree.

What a difference the passing of time makes as Michigan television stations have aired at least $5.6 million in dueling TV ads in the last two and a half months. The wives and surrogates have the state on their itinerary for rallies, town halls and fund-raisers on an almost weekly basis with the presumptive nominees firing off waves of e-mail reactions every time Detroit's automakers hiccup. Michigan has morphed from political wilderness to campaign battleground central for this year's 2008 Presidential race.

If you need anymore proof that Michigan has become a hotly contested battleground state than all you have to do is look at how Senator John McCain headed to Warren on Friday to talk to GM employees and how Democrats responded with n fewer than three counter moves including a letter from Senator Barack Obama to UAW members, a news conference attacking McCain's plan and an e-mail questioning the Republicans record on incentives that might aid the industry.

So the intensity that is heating up in Michigan is sure to bring Michigan economic woes to the forefront of national politics and many national news outlets. When it comes to Michigan, one thing to keep in mind is that much state wide elections for Democrats and Republicans are decided by what Detroiters do. If it is a high turnout in Detroit than it could boost a very favorable win for Obama and Michigan's electoral votes could be critical to an Obama win. However if Detroiters don't turn out as they are expected to turn out than it could produce a victory for McCain that Republican desperately need since Bush didn't carry the state in 2000 or 2004.

That's why Michigan is going to be truly a battleground state where voter turnout in Detroit, Michigan's economy and the woes of the Big Three in the auto industry decide how the state will swing. I really do hope that as the November election approaches, that more attention is paid to the problems of Michigan such as high unemployment rate, less jobs than previously and the overall failing economy that plagues the citizens. One can only hope that as the Presidential candidates continue to spend in Michigan, they create some type of stimulus boost and with both of them opening up campaign headquarters in the state, the jobs created by the openings should produce some positive employment results that many Michiganders especially Detroiters like myself really need.

Saggy pants fine is $25 in Illinois village

Last week, I discussed how many major cities including the city of Flint, Michigan is planning enforce a no sagging pants law. That's why many across the city of Flint and across America are watching how other police are enforcing the sagging pants law in their perspective cities. For instance, in the south Chicago suburb of Lynwood, many youth better be careful about wearing saggy pants. Village leaders have passed an ordinance that would levy $25 fines against anyone showing three inches or more of their underwear in public.

Now while the city of Flint has had its own share of controversy over sagging pants. Police Chief Chief David R. Dicks has instructed officers to begin arresting people whose pants fall beneath a certain point. While the American Civil Liberties Union has written a letter asking that the crackdown on sagging pants end. I ask the ACLU to allow the experiment to play itself out because something has to be done about the saggy pants issue. Our youth in America have to be shown the error of their ways and if fining them and arresting them is the only way we can teach them this lesson than let it be.

I'm not saying that our youth should receive jail time for saggy pants but first offense should be perhaps 300 community service hours with each offense afterwards leading up to fines than eventually jail time and fine. Anything is better than allowing our youth to disgrace themselves and look like prisoners but for those who want to be prisoners than we must show them how prisoners are treated. Tough love is what our youth need and that is something that I hope the new saggy pants laws across America shows our youth.

Having young man walk around town half-dressed, keeping major retailers and economic development away is a huge issue for many town across America and it is an issue that cities such as Flint and Lynwood need to address. While the ACLU said the ordinance targets young men of color, it isn't just young men of color who wear saggy pants anymore. Saggy pants has transcended color and the ACLU should allow the laws to be enacted and should be coming up with a way or a solution to deal with the saggy pants issue rather than simply say that it is unconstitutional or it violates one's freedoms. I believe an issue such as this needs to be addressed on all fronts and if the ACLU is sincere about protecting the rights of young colored people than they need to look at ways to help these city governments develop a strategic plan that is fair to all young people in the sense of getting the message out about the no saggy pants law rather than fighting against it.

It is time out for talk but action is needed in order fight this war on our youth because what our youth is facing with saggy pants is simply being discriminated against even more if they get into a trend of constantly wearing their pants below their waist. Many of our youth could lose out on job opportunities and even worse could be targeted by police more quickly than those who don't. So either way the law being enforced will target saggy pants wearers no matter how you look at it. The issue of race is not the problem but the issue of our youth thinking it is a fashion or personal style is the real problem. City leaders across America are trying to devote money to making things look nice but without a group of people who look presentable when tourists visit than no matter how clean the city or town looks, many may not want to stop in the city or town due to the image of thugs walking in the town or city.

That's why what we are dealing with with the saggy pants issue is a moral responsibility issue that we as individuals can't just leave up to our city governments and police officials to enforce but we must enforce them in our homes first and with our children's friends first.

References:
Are Flint Police profiling? http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080714/BLOG2504/80714060

Here's hoping that Flint's police chief targets thongs next http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/BLOG08/80709030

2009 mayoral election draws big crowd of potential candidates

With all the dark cloud of suspicion, dishonesty, mistrust, and lies that are taking place in Downtown Detroit because of the Mayors text messaging scandal that shows he perjured himself and recent Federal investigation into the Detroit City Council for reportedly bribes being taken in a deal that involves Mayor Kilpatrick's father. It is truly hard times in Detroit and that is all the more reason for the field of potential candidates for Mayor are so high and 2009 has not yet arrived yet. So far with each passing day and week, more speculation is made of who will run and who will not run. However one thing that no one can predict is what will happen to Detroit's current mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Will he face jail time or can he weather the storm long enough to perhaps run for re-election or better yet leave office with no charges sticking to him.

As for now the list of Mayoral candidates is up to the likes of Detroit Businessman and former Detroit Piston as well as NBA Hall Fame inductee Dave Bing, Don Barden's wife Bella Marshal, former 2005 Mayor candidate Freeman Hendrix, Channel 2 news anchor Charles Pugh, and the Rev. Nicholas Hood III. Also there is talk out there former Detroit Police Chief Benny Napoleon will look to launch his own mayoral contest run. However a name not mentioned so far by any of the newspapers or talk shows is State Representative Coleman A. Young II who moved here from California and changed his name to his daddy's name in order to win the 4th District State Representative seat. It seems right now as a smart move with speculation in the streets saying that Coleman is now eyeing being mayor by having secret behind the scenes meetings at the church he attends in Detroit plus his mom has been on the radio airwaves an awful lot lately. So Coleman Jr. plans to run a campaign that sounds a little bit like this: "I will be the type of mayor that my father was."

Is another Coleman A. Young, the type of mayor the city of Detroit needs? Well the answer is not exactly. We do a mayor who is grassroots like the late great first African American mayor of the city of Detroit Coleman A. Young and someone who has the speaking ability of current Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick as well as the managerial skills to make tough but fair decisions for the city. The city of Detroit needs a mayor who is willing to listen to the young, the elderly, the rich, the poor, black, white, Hispanics, Greeks, Arabs, etc. We need a mayor who can bring in revenue as well as balance our budget on top as well as make salary cuts starting at the top of city government meaning the mayor's office first before anywhere else.

We need a mayor who can persuade city council without name calling and can work with the media without saying there's a media bias. The city of Detroit needs someone who is smart, intelligent, business savvy and community orientated. We need a mixture of a Coleman A. Young and Kwame Kilpatrick but we need more of a problem solver and a uniter more so than a divider. We need a mayor who perhaps is a Bella Marshal because we have had every other type of mayor in the city of Detroit besides a woman and a Hispanic. However Marshal is a proven leader and has proven to give results similar to what Sharon McPhail has delivered. However Marshal, has a little bit more of a uniter voice and a voice that resonates with the people better than McPhail ever had.

Congressional candidates toss out decorum at TV forum

The above video is just one of the attack ads aimed toward unseating the Chair of the National Black Caucus and the state of Michigan 13th Congressional District U.S. Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. Former Michigan State Representative Mary Waters and current State Representative Martha G. Scott went on FlashPoint today to discuss the issues and why each should be elected. While going into the debate, I was told that Congresswomen Kilpatrick, the mother of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick who is engulfed in perjury and other city issues, is facing perhaps her toughest challenge since winning the seat in 1996 from than incumbent Barbara Rose-Collins, who sits on Detroit City Council now.

The Flashpoint forum really was suppose to showcase the Congressman experience and her ability to lead but it turned into a cat fight between all three candidates. However one thing was clearly seen from the forum and that is Mary Waters has no reason to be in the race because clearly this race is between Kilpatrick and Scott. From just looking at the forum, one could say that Scott doesn't understand D.C. and that is a problem but if experience mattered than Obama wouldn't be the Democratic Presidential candidate. Secondly, the forum showed that Kilpatrick was arrogant by saying she had all the big endorsements and saying that Waters can't even hold her bra.

The constant brawling between the candidates along with Water's not knowing exactly what is needed to improve the city of Detroit, the Michigan economy and the United States than it is clearly a sign that Waters is just running because she saw an opportunity. Nonetheless, Scott told the audience she is running because the people told her to run and the people are who she listens to. In fact from looking at Scott's campaign and Kilpatrick's over the last couple of months, you wouldn't even know that Scott was the challenger. Scott has the same amount of experience as Kilpartrick in politics and Kilpatrick has left room for Scott to come in and perhaps pull off an upset. Kilpatrick's campaign that has $1 million dollars and about $300,000 on hand has not been ran properly.

So as an incumbent if Kilpatrick doesn't at least garner 60% or more of the vote than some young cat in the city of Detroit will look at Kilpatrick as vulnerable in the next election. While many big whigs from Washington such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Charlie Rangell of New York and others will be in Michigan to help Kilpatrick campaign in the next two weeks, it makes me wonder why they are coming now and didn't come sooner. Plus it makes me wonder why Kilpatrick just recently got her lawn signs and didn't get her literature pieces until a a week into July. So what I'm seeing from Kilpatrick is that her son knows how to run a campaign better than her and her son should have her seat right now.

Thus with all of Kilpatrick's experience and the wealth of money she has, she not put her opponent's away yet. In fact the fact that Kilpatrick talked about bringing Michigan and her district $500 million can't be seen in this state and with her son's trouble, she has not distanced herself from her son and has not taken a position as a mother that shows both compassion and passion for what we the citizens of Detroit are dealing with. That's why if Kilpatrick is re-elected it won't be easy but if she loses, she has only herself to blame and the question of whether Michigan can afford to lose the chairmanship of the National Congressional Black Caucus? I respond to that by saying what has it done for black leaders in Michigan and Detroit.

So, yes we can afford to lose the chairmanship because Kilpatrick has not been able to bring home the results needed for this state and hasn't been able to bring home the results needed for the 13th District. So right now change is good and I really hope the rest of Detroit sees that.

References:

Mayor's mom, 2 rivals hold heated US House debate http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-55/1216569242105650.xml&storylist=newsmichigan


Congressional Candidates Clash On Local TV http://www.wwj.com/Congressional-Candidates-Clash-On-Local-TV/2629684

Obama meets with Karzai, a leader he's criticized

Afghan leader Karzai meets with Barack Obama during a working lunch. As they two talked and broke bread, Obama and Karzai discussed many issues such as more troops and funding for Afghanistan in order to fight the war on terrorism and the newly growing stronger insurgence that has reemerged along the Afghanistan-Pakistan boarder. Obama promised long term support to Karzai as they met and discussed how the U.S. could help Afghanistan strengthen its countries security as well as help the country become more stabilized.

Thus as Obama continues his trip overseas, he continues to build on his foreign policy credentials and garner attention that should be unprecedented for a Presidential nominee. Obama's meeting with Karzai made him look very Presidential but what is not being said is what exactly Obama has in store in terms of his foreign policy plan for Afghanistan behold just sending more troops and aid to the country. Something the Bush administration as neglected to do in the same way it has given to Iraq. However it should be noted that it wasn't until recently that the violence in Afghanistan rose and terrorists organizations started to build back up.

Therefore the attention that Afghanistan is starting to get again is far but the right plan has to be enacted like the right plan has been enacted in Iraq which has resulted in the results that we see today. So while Senator Obama hasn't admitted the the surge is working, the fact of the matter is the surge is working but it is too little too late in many of the American people eyes. Nonetheless, an Obama administration has promised a timeline for a troop withdrawal in Iraq while at the same time promising a troop increase in Afghanistan. That's why Obama has to continue to his overseas trip and amaze many with his charisma in order to show that he is not only Presidential but he is a Commander and Chief as well as a pure bonafide leader who can make fair, intelligent decisions that will be in the best interest of America and the American people.

While Obama previously criticized Karzai and his lack of leadership in Afghanistan, it is now that Obama is seen smiling and sharing lunch with the very man he criticized which shows that Obama is a fair bi-partisan person. In fact Obama's wisdom to sit down with Karzai and talk to Karzai about Afghanistan and the future of Middle East region in terms of bringing peace to the Middle East as well as stability. That's why Obama's meeting Karzai is seen a Presidential meeting because it is apart of Obama's plan to meet with allies and foes who agree and disagree with him and America. Karzai is clearly an ally to America but to Obama he is a foe in the sense of how Obama has criticized him for his lack of moving Afghanistan forward. In this case the two leaders, had a great working lunch and gained knowledge from each other that could help both of them see where each other is coming from.

References:

Obama meets Afghan leader Karzai http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7516063.stm

Obama promises long-term support to Afghanistan http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/20/content_8705994.htm

Obama takes the U.S. campaign overseas, first to Afghanistan http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/20/asia/obama.php

Obama takes his White House campaign to the battlefields

Barack Obama has taken his White House campaign to the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq. Obama, the Democratic Presidential nominee visits troops and officials in Afghanistan with a trip to Iraq to follow later. Obama's recent overseas tour already garnered a lot of attention overseas and domestically because of Obama's rock star image. Now that Obama has actually arrived overseas, news reports both locally, nationally and internationally are covering Obama's every move. Images of Obama's meetings with troops and political officials in Afghanistan surfaced as soon as Obama landed in his designated areas.

Thus the type of image that the Obama campaign was expecting from his visits overseas is not only helping help improve his foreign policy credentials but it is bringing his message of change and hope to many military officials up close and in personal. While McCain has done this same trip that Obama is doing, Obama's charisma and new face attracts many to his campaign. This is why what Obama has done by taking this trip brings him more to the world stage and allows the world to see just how charismatic and moving he really is. Obama is looking Presidential as he talks to troops and visits officials as well as learns more about the country and region as he prepares to shape his foreign policy agenda so that he really deals with the needs that are plaguing Afghanistan and the war on terror.

Obama is really staging tons of photo ops as well as bringing more attention to his commander of chief image in an attempt to look more presidential as well build himself as a decision maker and a leader. Obama is expected to meet with Afghanistan's President tomorrow but right now as he needs to really enjoy every bit of his overseas image in order to build himself as a great world leader who is decisive, precise and humble all in one. That's why it is going to be hard for McCain to match Obama's rock star image but the only way to deal with a rock star is to allow the rock star to shine as you continue to do what you do best and hopefully those who recognize your efforts will be the main one's who vote and put you over the top in certain battleground states.

While Obama's trip overseas could help him garner a few more military votes and many undecided voters here in America who feel the Iraq war is big issue might go to Obama because of his image overseas. There are many others in America who might be paying close attention to McCain's economic plan and how he plans to solve the current economic woes that plague America. So McCain has to stay on message and worry more about domestic issues while still dealing with the issue that he supported the surge and the surge is currently working so let's allow the surge to play itself out than that will detect a timeline for troop withdrawal in Iraq. For now, we can just wait and continue to hear about Obama's trip overseas on the front page of newspapers and at the front of newscasts while we read about McCain's actions on the backpages of newspapers and at the back of newscasts.

References:

In Afghanistan, Obama visits troops and officials http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i93McMPYxNe5I5luHeUstklGV2RgD92169HO0

Obama Begins Afghanistan Tour http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1824576,00.html

Obama visits Afghanistan http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2008/07/20087191762609534.html

Official: Karzai, Obama to meet http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/07/19/Official_Karzai_Obama_to_meet/UPI-53711216466764/

Obama Trip Could Push Rock-Star Persona to New Heights

Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama’s upcoming abroad trip is not a campaign swing according to Obama advisers. Even so, the high-profile journey has all the trappings of a rock-star tour because Obama has generated so much interest that all three TV network news anchors are planning to accompany the candidate. While foreign media have reported daily on the impending visit. The Obama campaign revealed that Obama intends to meet with top U.S. allies while in Europe and the Middle East.

The real reason for the trip abroad is for Obama to build his foreign policy credentials overseas but at the end of the day, Obama's superstar persona might get the biggest boost from the trip. Many suggest that the type of exposure Obama will get particularly in Europe will be of enormous publicity and the fact that he has three news anchors with him, he's going to be in the news throughout every peak of his trip. Obama is literally recreating the kind of public whirlwind that he enjoyed at the height of the Democratic primary but only on a global scale now.

Now it should be pointed out that when Republican Presidential nominee John McCain made a similar trip overseas in March, he was accompanied by a few dozen members of the U.S. media. No network anchors made the journey but it was his eighth trip to Iraq. However it was his first since clinching the GOP nomination, which he had done just days earlier. Therefore Obama's trips could dwarf McCain's entourage as more traveling press accompany him and the media frenzy to photo and video as well as report on Obama's every move will be larger than McCain's and will be showcased in a much greater impact than McCain. While McCain's trip was barely covered, Obama's trip will perhaps get front page coverage throughout the American and International press community.

Now at the same time, Obama's campaign says that the 40 seats on campaign plane have already been filled after 200 reporters applied. So Obama will have a plane full when you add the security detail that will accompany. Unlike McCain who went to Iraq without being under the protection of the Secret Service, Obama is going overseas under the watchful eyes of both the Secret Service and foreign law enforcement in the countries he will visit. Obama advisers wanted to stress that Obama is not trying to play the role of President but the board goals of the trip are to deepen, even further, important relationships and to exchange views with the leaders in several countries whose partnership with the United States is really critical to our national security.

At the same time, Obama's advisers said that the Illinois Senator will not make policy or to negotiate because there is only one president of the United States at any given time and we will certainly honor and respect that by all means. Nonetheless, Obama's trip overseas should really be a huge boost to Obama's persona and his rock start image especially when he goes to Europe and makes a couple of speeches to crowds that will pack the streets of many European cities. While there are many security concerns to Obama's trip, the trip should be a test of Obama's world image and could ultimately give Obama the much needed distance he needs from McCain if his trip delivers many Americans with the image that Obama is the world Presidential candidate that America really needs to broker and repair Americans somewhat distorted image in the world.

However some say that Obama's trip overseas may be safer than campaigning in the United States as long as Obama avoids public appearances and sticks to his meetings with foreign dignitaries. It is clear that Obama's trip overseas will gain large national coverage and the crowd control should be an issue if Obama makes public appearances. That's why the trip overseas could be a very important to the Obama campaign but it won't necessarily get rid of all the questions that hunt Obama and his foreign policy credentials. One can learn more about a country by watching the History Channel than they do when going on many congressional delegations overseas.

However despite that, Obama cannot afford any slip ups while on this trip because of the intense international interest in his overseas trip. Obama cannot make any policy error or a statement error or else it will be magnified far beyond what it would otherwise be. While the trip should give Obama a platform to fend off McCain's foreign policy attacks, it still isn't like having proven results to boost in terms of foreign policy decision making. Now at the same time, the networks are taking some heat for devoting so m any resources to the trip and McCain aides have accused Obama of staging an overseas campaign "rally." McCain on the other hand said that the Obama trip is a trip that is welcomed and long over due.

McCain added that Obama is going to a very different Iraq if the U.S. military had listened to his advice about withdrawing troops. There would be chaos, an increase in sectarian violence and there would be widening Iranian influence. McCain went on to say that Obama might face disaster which is why McCain launched an attack on Obama in a new television ad accusing the Illinois Senator of switching positions on Iraq to help him become president. McCain has constantly supported the war in Iraq, even breaking away from President Bush on the surge. McCain suggested the surge long before Bush put it into place and McCain told the President and members of Congress that we must listen to the commanders on the ground in Iraq if we are going to be successful in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Now McCain's 30-second ad, which will run on national cable and in 11 battleground states, is McCain’s first negative TV ad aimed at Obama. The McCain ad’s announcer says Obama never held a single Senate hearing on Afghanistan, has not been to Iraq in years and opposed war funding. The announcer says these positions helped Obama win the Democratic nomination but he’s changing now to become president. While an Obama spokesman says that the ad is patently misleading negative ad. While Obama's trip should give him a helpful boost in his foreign policy credentials but McCain plans to show just how Obama has not been completely honest with the American people on where he truly stands.

For now Obama's trip is truly going to be a rock start type trip.

References:

Obama's Big Trip http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/18/politics/animal/main4274563.shtml

Ad Hawk: Bon Voyage, Barack!

In the wake of Senator Barack Obama's trip to the Middle East and Europe, his opponent and Republican Presidential nominee John McCain has decided to use a television ad accusing Obama of shifting his Iraq view. Obama the Democratic Presidential nominee is going to take a trip to Afghanistan and Iraq this week as well as Europe but the McCain ad highlights just how Obama has shifted his position since the Democratic primaries have been over. The ad is clear, short and straight to the point as McCain brings Obama's slightly shifting Iraq view to the America public attention since many in the media decide not to.

While Obama is trying to build his foreign policy credentials by taking such a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan, it is clear that McCain is not going to allow Obama to easily build those credentials without really showing that Obama has changed his position on the Iraq war. The ad should really help McCain while Obama is overseas but the impact of the ad will not be known until after Obama comes back and announces his foreign policy plan. Then and only then will we the American people truly know if Obama listened to the military generals in both Iraq and Afghanistan as well as both countries governments. For now though, we have to sit back and wait to see which Obama will come back--the Democratic Primary Obama or the General Election Obama.

References:
McCain TV ad accuses Obama of shifting Iraq views http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j5lQ8Xt2nV-ZIMVgsE4TK63RSyCwD920GPA00


Obama Seeks to Bolster Foreign Policy Credentials With Overseas Trip http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-07-18-voa56.cfm

Phil Gramm steps down after 'whiners' comment

Phil Gramm has finally stepped down from the McCain campaign over his "Whiners" comments. Gramm said that the Democratic Party and others want to distract from the campaign by not talking about the issues that plague America but by talking about Gramm's comments. Gramm went on to say that him stepping down should allow for people to focus on McCain's economic plan and he hopes that the Democratic Party stop distracting away from the real issues that are truly the cause of the economy.

After a week of speculation in regards to Gramm's 'Whiner' comments, it is clear that his stepping down would come soon. However Obama explained to the media that the issue of Gramm stepping down is not the problem but it is whether McCain will continue to use Gramm's economic plan that will continue to harm many Americans because it is more of the same from the current administration. Gramm stepping down shows no signs of hurting the McCain campaign because throughout this week, McCain has continued to talk about his economic plan and his goal to change America's economy. For starters, McCain has blamed the spending in Washington for part of the problem because there is no fiscal responsibility taking place in Washington and that is something McCain will work to resolve while also working to get rid of programs that are failing or at least cutback on the funding of those programs whether than to continue to fund them.

It really came as a shock that Gramm stepped down because while this has become the Presidential campaigns of who's staying and who's going, it is clear that Gramm looked like he was going to stay since no immediate reaction or sign was delivered that Gramm was going to step down. For now, the talk of Gramm's 'whiners' comments should cease to exist but that is literally up to the media more so than the Presidential candidates.

References:

Gramm Leaves McCain Campaign Over 'Whiners' Comments http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/07/18/gramm-leaves-mccain-campaign-over-whiners-comments/

Gramm Steps Down From McCain Camp http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/gramm-steps-down-from-mccain-camp/

McCain Co-Chairman, Under Fire, Steps Aside http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/us/politics/19mccain.html?hp

Barack Obama's $52-million June

After weeks of speculation that Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama's outstanding and record breaking fundraising machine was no more, Obama surprises all. After his fundraising numbers had dwindled down since his record breaking $55 million fundraising month of February, many in the news media and political pundits said that the fundraising machine had perhaps lost a little luster. You can't blame people for the speculation considering that Obama and McCain were nearly dead even after the fundraising efforts of May had reported the lowest total for Obama this election cycle.

However, the Obama campaign released his fundraising totals for the month of June and Obama did very well for the month of June by raising $52 million. While it is isn't his highest total, it sent a message to the doubters and the speculators that thought Obama couldn't continue his historic fundraising efforts that helped him the Democratic nomination since his numbers were falling month after month. Now as Obama has proven once again, just when you think that you know him or have him cornered, he breaks through with an astonishing accomplishment. Obama's month of June total of $52 million is a clear sign that Obama is here to stay and that he is ready to do all it takes the Presidency come this November.

That's why what is taking place this as a result of Obama's record breaking fundraising numbers for this year's Presidency will ultimately rewrite the fundraising map for any politician and it will ultimately lead to an overall of how others look to run any future Presidential races. For now Obama is not only poised and focused on his 50 state campaign strategy but he is ready to challenge the Republican Party and his opponent Senator John McCain by outspending them, out staffing them and out working them. Since Obama decided against taking public finance dollars, he has more room to decide how to spend and use his money in this election season and that is something that make Obama a very dangerous candidate for special interest groups as they try to smear him and his candidacy.

Now if Obama's campaign continues to pull in around 40 million or more each month than this election could really be historic in so many ways that the history of American Presidential campaigns can be re-written. One thing is clear though and that is Obama is not going to go down with out a fight and his political capital is growing more and more each month as his campaign releases his campaign results each month. At the same though, some people be skeptical of Obama's $52 million dollar fundraising total for the month of June because it took him so long to release this number. Many speculators might say that Obama delayed the release of his numbers for at least two or more weeks because his campaign knows he can't pull in the money like he used too from smaller donors.

Obama's big donor list did grow in the month of June but still Obama is way behind McCain in terms of big donors but Obama has still managed to out fund raise McCain with more smaller donors and fewer larger donors. This might sounds good to Obama supporters but the naysayers are still weary of Obama's latest campaign fundraising numbers but I'm proud of Obama and what he is doing. He is going to need every cent to be competitive and to fulfill his 50 state campaign strategy where he plans to have large staffs on hand in each state. Only time will tell how it all plays out but I can't wait to see the fundraising totals for the month of July. If McCain is to be competitive he must continue to raise $20 or more each month with the Republican Party doubling that while Obama has to raise double of what McCain is raising and perhaps triple that while the Democratic Party raise exactly what McCain is raising in order to help Obama compete against McCain and the Republican Party political machine.

References:

Obama: The Half-Billion-Dollar Man http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1822819,00.html?imw=Y

Obama’s Money Advantage Not Such an Advantage Anymore http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/07/obamas_money_advanatge_not_suc.html

Obama leads with fewer big donors http://www.miamiherald.com/campaign08/story/605942.html

McCain supports vouchers

Republican Presidential candidate speaks at the 99th Annual NAACP Convention. In his message, McCain talks about his support of school vouchers and his plan for America's education if he wins the Presidency. McCain really expressed to the audience how important the NAACP is to America and how important America's education system is to the future of not just black children but all children. McCain really laid out a vision on America's public education and how his vision for America's public education system can help people of all races but especially African American and Latino Americans.

McCain didn't disown public education but feels that public education needs to be fixed and parents need better results in terms of schools being safe and teachers that are educated properly. That's why McCain says vouchers are not advocating charter or private schools but it gives parents a choice to send their kids to schools that aren't failing. Also he spoke on how more opportunities need to be given to those who want to be educators. He expressed that the monopoly on teacher certification should not exist and it should be a better way for those who want to teach to become certificated.

John McCain really showcased and spoke highly of his educational plan and it is a plan that is very strong. It not only holds teachers accountable but it holds parents as well as students accountable. It really speaks about educational reforms and giving more power to school principals rather than school boards, state politicians and federal politicians. I was expressed by McCain's vision for America's future education system. It is the right plan, no but it is a start in the right direction. I believe that public education is under attack by politicians and unions who don't want to face the fact that our students deserve and need better. Many teaching unions don't hold their members responsible with teaching and politicians have become selfish and self serving on many school board.

Under McCain's reform proposal for education, he plans to take some of the bureaucracy out of education. That's why I have to say he made a bold and innovative speech to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. McCain even expressed a bit about the economy and his economic plan where taxes are not raised on businesses or people. It is clear that McCain did his homework and while the audience did not cheer in the large array as they for McCain, many still cheered McCain as he hit key points during his speech. McCain's vision for America and how he plans to solve some of America's woes became a whole lot clearer to those who heard his speech.

McCain acknowledges that differences in America is needed in order to hear all sides of a position but one thing that he will not do is allow the government to continue to overspend. McCain expressed that he will work to stop funding failed programs and he will work to balance America's budget as well as give more funding to programs that work for the American people. McCain really presented himself knowledgeable and in touch with the tough economic times that face America today. I gained a little bit more respect for McCain because of his message and his sincere grace he presented to the NAACP through his warm hearted speech.

McCain Likely To Win In South Carolina, Poll Says

After the South Carolina Primary in late January, Senator Barack Obama seemed like he not only belonged in the Democratic Presidential race but he was going to be a force to be reckon with if he won the Democratic Presidential nomination. Seven months later and the Democratic Primary season is over and the General Election race is upon us. So with national polls being released and state polls being released practically every week, it is now the South Carolina poll could spell trouble for Obama if he wants to win any Southern states. The Obama campaign has constantly said that they will compete in all 50 states and they keep saying that they can compete and win in states like North Carolina and South Carolina.

However the latest South Carolina says otherwise. Republican Presidential nominee John McCain practically has a strong lead among most voter groups in South Carolina. McCain leads Obama overall 45% to 39% with 10% being undecided and 5% said they would vote for Libertarian candidate Bob Barr. Now the polls shows that McCain has an edge among women 45% to 43%, white, 60% to 24% and voters who identified themselves as neither Democratic or Republican, 38% to 32%. Except for young voters, McCain leads in all age groups particularly among seniors 54% to 25%.

Meanwhile Obama continues his hold on the black vote, with 77 percent, and voters between 18-29 years, 54 percent to 32 percent. What is surprising is that McCain has 10% support among African-Americans is very significant because he also enjoys more support from voters from his own party than Obama, 82% to 78%. With the latest poll from Pubic Policy Polling, it is clear that it would take an exceptional turnout from young voters and black voters, as well as a lot of disaffected conservatives voting for Bob Barr, to make a win in South Carolina possible for Barack Obama. The results are based on interviews of 542 likely voters in the Palmetto State on July 9-11. Its margin of error is 4.2 percent.

Nonetheless, it is clear that if Obama wants to really take some key southern states than he must start by winning states such as South Carolina whose demographics are similar to states like Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana even after Hurricane Katrina. That's why the Obama campaign will look for more polls in South Carolina to be released before they really panic but this poll is a sign of trouble for the Obama campaign team but it is not a major panic yet. Obama has a lot of work to do and it is clear that his campaign will be taking notice of the South Carolina poll. While McCain and his team is in a good position right now as they survey the electoral map and look to see where they should be putting more resources toward and clearly South Carolina does not need more than others.

Now the McCain campaign and the Republican Party will continue to do what they are currently doing in the state of South Carolina so that they can continue their progress without allowing Obama to sucker punch them in a slick way. Obama's campaign though will try to see what they can do to get back some of the support they obtained during the primary season as well as expand on that support by getting more independents,whites, blacks, and Democrats to support his candidacy so that they can overtake McCain in this pivotal state that could play a role in how the South was won for the Presidency.

Obama predicts black voter increase, Southern wins

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama's historic campaign to win the Presidency boosts black turnout as drastically as he predicts, he could crack decades of Republican dominance across the South. However that's a big "if" but it is not impossible cause anything is possible. the Associated Press analysis of U.S. Census and voting data from the past four presidential elections show a potentially dramatic impact should Obama fulfill his pledge to elevate black participation by 30 percent. This would add nearly 1.8 million votes in 11 Southern states, the analysis shows, enough to tip the balance in several that have been Republican strongholds.

Obama and his campaign expect a likely increase in black turnout as well as expects a surge of young voters to help him compete in states that have been reliably red since the once solidly Democratic South flipped to the Republicans in 1964. As I have previously reported, states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama will be in play along with Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee perhaps. Coming from the state of Tennessee as a recent graduate of Tennessee State, I have told many people that Obama could win Tennessee if he only campaigns here. While the East portion of Tennessee is hard to win, Obama can do what Harold Ford Jr. did when he ran for U.S. Senator. While Ford garnered more votes than expected in East Tennessee, it was in the Western portion of the state that failed Ford. That's why if Obama can learn from Harold's mistake and capitalize on producing a large turnout in Shelby County particularly Memphis than Obama could win the state as long as it doesn't rain on election day and if many people take advantage of early voting in the state.

It is clear that Obama and his campaign can rewrite the Presidential election map as well as the Electoral map for Democrats all across America but it all starts with learning from previous Democrats who have ran for office. Obama's message of hope and change has gotten him this far but now he needs to reach out further to more voters by really walking the beat like never before. Obama's 50 state plan is great but it is the walking and knocking the doors as well as phone banking that will deliver the type of outcome that Obama wants in November which is a Democratic sweep and an Obama Presidential victory.

When Obama set the 30 percent goal himself last August at a campaign stop in New Hampshire.
"I guarantee you African-American turnout, if I'm the nominee, goes up 30 percent around the country, minimum," he said. "Young people's percentage of the vote goes up 25-30 percent. So we're in a position to put states in play that haven't been in play since LBJ." The math backs up Obama's analysis— if he can deliver the turnout he promises than it is no telling what can happen for Democrats all across America. In Georgia, the GOP presidential nominee's average margin of victory in the past four elections was 216,000 votes. If 30 percent more voting-age blacks go to the polls in November than the four-year average — with all else equal, and Obama capturing all of those votes — he would win the state by 84,000 ballots.

Now should 90 percent of those voters go for Obama, a figure he achieved among blacks in some primaries this year, he would still have enough to win the state and its 15 electoral votes.
If Obama reached his goal of a 30 percent increase and brought all those new black voters into his fold, he could also win in Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Virginia and Florida. Wins in the six states would give him 81 new electoral votes — enough to beat Arizona Sen. John McCain even if the Republican won almost every other toss-up state in the nation, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Ohio.

Obama's promise of a 30 percent boost in black turnout also could pull him into a tie with McCain in Mississippi. Then again, in South Carolina, a conservative state that went to President Bush by 17 percentage points four years ago, Obama could come within 17,000 votes — less than a percentage point. Ditto in North Carolina, a state often mentioned as a possible Southern pickup for Obama. While some have argued that Democrats don't need to win the South in order to win the White House but a 12 percent increase in black turnout across the region would be enough to swing Virginia, Florida and perhaps another state.

Not everyone is sold on Obama's guarantee because many don't believe that the black vote will increase by 30 percent and if it does than Obama would have proved the doubters wrong but even Obama advisers admit they have a distance to go in capturing Obama's visionary promise. That's why Obama's plan is a long shot but it is possible if Obama's campaign does its part to make a difference. For instance, in four southern states that were able to provide figures by race— North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana — the number of registered black voters has risen 12 percent since the beginning of 2006. That's a remarkable run, and one that could be further buoyed by an increased turnout among blacks already registered. But white turnout has been up, too.

Also, there's no way Obama will win all black votes, even in this history-making election as the first recognizable black candidate on a major-party ballot. About 11 percent of black votes went to Bush in 2004, though that figure is expected to decrease substantially in this year's race between Obama and McCain. Plus there is no guarantee that Obama will keep the support of all Democrats who voted for John Kerry, Al Gore and President Clinton in the previous three elections. An AP-Yahoo News election survey has found that 8 percent of all whites say they would be very uncomfortable voting for a black presidential candidate, and even 16 percent of Democrats say they would have at least some reservations.

So it is an important change in dynamics of Southern politics if Obama reached his goal of increasing black voter turnout by 30 percent. However Obama can't just win simply with that and he's got to continue to be attractive to white voters. Other factors will play a role in this year's election by the reality of the matter is that the African American vote is pivotal to the Democratic Party more this year than in previous elections. After years of being ignored and after I have constantly wrote that as African Americans our vote is important and we should be catered to like Hispanics, Obama's vision and plan could make this possible.

If Obama wants to increase the African American vote by 30 percent than he needs to tell his campaign that this plan starts now not after the Democratic Convention. For far too long the African American vote has been ignored and sometimes has gone unheard in Presidential elections but this could be the year that all that changes not only because we have an African American running for President but because Obama told reporters and others last August that he can increase African American turnout as well as youth turnout. That's why Obama's guarantee is important to him winning the Presidency as well as important to Democrats winning key southern as well as battleground states as well as state races.

The vision that Obama and the Democratic Party must have going forward is to go to every crack house, every liquor store, every black neighborhood, every nuck and cranny that exists and turnout the black vote like never before. The Obama campaign, the Democratic Party and other organizations supporting Obama need to go to the basketball courts, sporting events, and every hood/ghetto activity that exists in the black communities that attract large turnouts from blacks and get these folks not only registered to vote but out to vote in November. That's why the time to enact Obama's vision and promise cannot wait another day but it must start right here, right now.

Time for Some Campaigning!

Jib Jab is at it again with their latest on regarding the 2008 Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. They really portray the American people overall view of both candidates as well as adds a little bit of Hillary Clinton and how we view her campaign. Nonetheless, the video is a great political satire but it is rather true when it comes to how I actually view the 2008 Presidential elections and where the candidates stand on the issues.






They did a similar video in 2004 about President George W. Bush and Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry called This Land. I must say it is pretty funny as a political satire. It was truly a great video and Jib Jab is surely on top of their game in expressing how many Americans feel about our Presidential candidates when it comes to the issues and campaigning.



I hope you enjoyed both videos and that you look Jib Jab up some more cause they are on top of their game when it comes to political satire videos that express what many Americans are thinking but are afraid to say to in public. Now it gives you an opportunity to discuss it without being ridiculed.

Poll Finds Obama Isn’t Closing Divide on Race

The latest poll on race in America shows that Senator Barack Obama has not clearly closed the race divide in America. Even after his historical race speech during the Democratic Primaries and him disowning Rev. Wright & his comments, the race for the White House still shows some race bias to a degree. Many Americans both black and White don't feel that Obama has a chance to become President. While Obama's favorable rating is highest among Blacks, it is literally split among Whites with many Whites says they are undecided or need to hear more about Obama. It is clear that McCain is not favorable among blacks but he has a 5% favorable rating which really looks well for Republicans when they are facing an African American candidate this year.

In politics, the notion is that when facing an African American candidate it is tough to garner the black vote if the African American candidate is popular like in Obama's case. However being able to garner any chuck of the black vote boosts well for McCain. Now at the same time, this polls data sends America a loud message that more whites believe that America is more ready for a black president than blacks do. While this is not a dooms day poll for the Obama campaign but it shows Obama and his campaign team that they still have work to do and that they must continue to get Obama's message out to the public by any means necessary right now. It is not good that many Blacks and Whites are not familiar with Obama yet or that they need to hear more about him.

So what this poll shows that Obama's 50 state campaign needs to get in high gear as they try to make the historical run toward the White House. This voter sampler could really spell trouble for Obama more so than McCain because America is more familiar with McCain and even with Obama receiving all the magazine covers, more television exposure, and more interviews it is hard to understand why many don't know who Obama is or need to hear more from him. Clearly McCain's camp can look at this poll as a chance of hope and as positive as they march on to win the Presidency.

While most probably don't take polls seriously, it is always something that can be learned from polls for any candidate and potential candidate. However as I previously have stated, the only accurate poll is the poll on election day after the election polls close. Thus it is clear that Obama's campaign will look at this poll and continue to redraw the national strategy in a way that appeals to more voters beyond just speeches and television ads. While McCain's campaign will look at this poll and look to find any gap in Obama's machine and come up with ways to get McCain more media attention and will get more straight talk express initiatives aimed toward undecided and independent voters.

Poll Finds Voters Split on Candidates' Iraq-Pullout Positions

A recent poll finds voters are split on Candidates' Iraq-pullout positions. Many voters don't trust or believe in either candidate and it is clear by the latest results of a recent poll. The Iraq War has been one of the big issues of this campaign season, however this poll shows that many voters are skeptical about who they trust and believe in when it comes to both candidate's Iraq pullout positions. While Obama wants to pull all troops within 16 months and McCain is against such a proposal, voters in this country are split between both plans.

The poll didn't tell the whole truth in the sense that it didn't reveal the entire results of the poll in terms of who voters would vote for if the election was held today with Obama leading by 8 percent--50 to 42. Nonetheless, the voters are confused and truly split on what they feel about Obama and McCain's plans in regards to Iraq. The poll showed that Iraq is a half and half issue where voters will are split who has the right idea. One part of the poll shows that many Americans favor Obama's 16 month withdrawal plan but at the same time, these same voters prefer McCain to handle Iraq better and say that he is more capable to handle Iraq than Obama.

The poll is quite interesting but it is fair in the sense that if Iraq is to define the next Presidential election than is would be a toss up but when other issues are involved in the polling this year than it is clear that many voters prefer Obama over McCain on the other issues but not on Iraq. Clearly McCain holds a significant edge on foreign policy and the Iraq war. That's why this latest poll shows that both candidates still have a lot of work to do and with the release of each national poll week after week, it is not a clear example as to who will win the Presidency when many key battleground states show the race neck and neck.

If the election was held today than it is clear Obama would win the popular vote but could lose the electoral college resulting in a McCain candidacy. That is the irony of this election this year. The 2000 Presidency all over again but with a lot more passion.

Obama talks tough to NAACP

At the 99th Annual NAACP Convention, Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama gives a tough talk speech on responsibility. Obama tells the NAACP that we as blacks must look inward and that while much around us is crumbling to some degree, we must now more than ever look to take more responsibility in our own communities and homes. Obama went on to say that our economy can be saved again and that the NAACP can help in restoring America but we must first take full responsibility of the future that we want to have in America.

Obama told a crowd filled with youth that all change in America started with youth and that as youth they should begin to start to take responsibility of their own communities and they should start making progressive changes in order to make America better. Obama said that his tough talk will not stop and that his message to the African American community will be about us as blacks stop whining about who hasn't done anything but more about us taking the proper steps to make our country, our communities and our households truly a place that we will always be proud of no matter what.

Obama spoke on social justice and how it is not enough but social justice combined with economic justice as well as personal responsibility is what will make us as Americans better. Obama really spoke to the crowd in a way that many who were there loved the message and he spoke about how far the NAACP has come and how far the NAACP can help America to continue to grow. It was truly a speech that many needed to hear and that hopefully those involved in the NAACP will take heed to as the new CEO of the NAACP begins to make his mark on the organization. The NAACP reshaping its message to deal with the current problems that we face today in the black community and in America is the only way that we can reshape and rebuild our nation so that our economy is prosperous and our people who come from our walks of life and all colors are prosperous.

References:
Obama rakes corporate greed, but calls for blacks to look inward as well http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/15/america/NA-POL-US-Elections.php


Obama focuses on economy in NAACP speech http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/07/14/daily11.html


Obama Urges NAACP to Insist on 'Responsibility' http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/07/14/obama_urges_naacp_to_insist_on.html


Obama To Talk Tough-Love at NAACP, Despite Jackson Frustrations http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/obama-to-talk-t.html


Obama at the N.A.A.C.P. Convention http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/author/jbroder/