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Blogging the Kentucky and Oregon primaries by The Note's Rick Klein
May 20, 2008 5:35 PM
9:05 pm ET: So now Iowa for Obama tonight, then Florida tomorrow. His fundraising, again, blows hers away. The math is the math. Not much good from Clinton's perspective, given the fact that she's cruising to a 30-point victory.
How many supers fall tomorrow? What does Nancy Pelosi do?
Read about it in The Note tomorrow morning...
8:44 pm ET: Speech struck me as just gracious enough, but not overly so. Still sounds like she's in it to win it, or something like that. Phony numbers are what they are, but she's still got her argument. Maybe she's justifying her continued candidacy to herself at this point -- it's hard to tell.
8:27 pm ET: Support the nominee "whoever she may be." Nice touch.
8:20 pm ET: "We're winning the popular vote," she adds. OK, this remains more than problematic -- if not downright deceitful. But it's an argument -- and really the only reason to still care about what's going to happen with Florida and Michigan.
"Why do millions keep turning out to vote in the face of naysayers and skeptics?" There's your question to Obama tonight.
8:19 pm ET: "Pretty tough odds," she said. Yup. "You've never given up on me because you know I'll never give up on you."
8:15 pm ET: Also: "Count the Votes."
8:14 pm ET: Hard to miss that sign behind Hillary on stage in Louisville: "Yes Women Can."
8:08 pm ET: Here's one way to change the subject: From ABC's Jake Tapper: "ABC News has learned that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., hauled in $31.9 million in April (including $600,000 for the general election) to continue his battle for the Democratic nomination against Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. Two hundred thousand new donors joined Obama's effort last month."
8:03 pm ET: From ABC's Sunlen Miller: "The Obama family just arrived on the plane in Chicago to fly to Des Moines. While they were boarding Obama was yelled at by reporters how he was feeling, "I'm doing good, " he responded. And with that he got on the plane - and as a side note, he was wearing the flag pin . . . as he has every day this week."
7:24 pm ET: So it's hard to change games that are already over, but if it's over, who forgot to tell the voters in Kentucky? Same folks who didn't tell the voters of West Virginia? The question will be asked among Democrats -- what does this say about Sen. Obama's prospects? I don't claim to know the answer to that yet.
7 pm ET: Right at poll closing time, from ABC's Decision Desk: "Based on exit polls, ABC News projects that Clinton will win the Kentucky Democratic Primary by a large margin."
There you have it -- "large margin." Don't look now, but Hillary Clinton's on a winning streak -- if it matters anymore.
6:30 pm ET: Another interesting point about tonight: These two states are a test case for Obama's socioeconomic problems, while factoring out race. Kentucky and Oregon are both overwhelmingly white states -- but Democrats look very different in those states. Thus Clinton is favored in Kentucky, Obama in Oregon. That split really is more salient for the general election.
6:26 pm ET: This whole phenomenon of people saying they'll leave the party if Obama's the nominee -- do you think we'd hear similar things if Clinton was on the verge of the nomination? And how much of it is people registering frustration via pollsters, versus actually committing to cross over and vote for McCain?
I'm still struck by how comparatively little Obama has sought to tailor his message for the working class. It may be that this thing was far enough along by the time his problems became evident that he hasn't had to. But does anyone think this won't be a problem in the fall?
5:57 pm ET: From the early exits, an early, glaring warning sign: "Nearly half of Kentucky Democratic voters say they would not support [Obama] in a November election against John McCain, similar to the result in West Virginia," per ABC's Gary Langer.
Yowsers. Remember that this guy is going to be the nominee...
--------------------------
Hi gang, Rick Klein here from ABC's The Note. I'll be online tonight as the results roll in, with the latest from exit polls and from our reporters in the field.
It almost seems awkward to have an election night tonight, given the news out of Boston that has frozen the political world. Here's guessing that you could get Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain to agree immediately that Sen. Ted Kennedy is a national treasure. We all pray for his swift recovery.
Some day we'll miss these election days -- but that day isn't here yet. So in the meantime -- what's at stake? I argue in today's Note that these contests could have bearing on the race for vice president, in the sense that this could be filling out Sen. Clinton's electoral resume. It has the potential to be an odd night indeed for Obama; he's been the all-but certain nominee in the eyes of the mainstream media for two weeks now, and still he could lose rather badly in Kentucky. He'll have Oregon, in all likelihood -- and more significantly he'll have Iowa tonight, and one of the most closely watched speeches of his campaign.
His tone will be all-important when he declares a majority of pledged delegates. That's about as important a threshold as all the other ways the Democrats don't determine the nomination (popular vote, number of states won, electoral college weight of states won, number of times your supporters go on TV to say you're winning) but this is a significant milestone that will be marked as such.
Yet the Obama campaign seemed burned when word got out that Obama would in any sense be declaring "victory" tonight. With all the ruffled Democratic feathers these days, what can he say or do to set the right tone?
May 20, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (283)
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Wow, another ObamaFest. What a surprise. I will get my beads and headband. And my wallet. He is the most egomaniac candidate in history. I am sure he will declare his birthday a national holiday at his coronation. Why vote? The media has decided Iowa decides our elections.
Posted by: Karen | May 20, 2008 5:50:36 PM
Karen,
I sure hope you are not one of those Republi-rats pretending to be a Clinton Supporter, because you sure make us real Democratic Supporters of Clinton look bad.
A real Democrat cannot be so negatiove towards a potential Democratic party Nominee.
Give it a rest "sweetie".
Posted by: Steve_NJ | May 20, 2008 5:56:19 PM
Karen,
I sure hope you are not one of those Republi-rats pretending to be a Clinton Supporter, because you sure make us real Democratic Supporters of Clinton look bad.
A real Democrat cannot be so negative towards a potential Democratic party Nominee.
Give it a rest "sweetie".
Posted by: Steve_NJ | May 20, 2008 5:57:19 PM
I think it is time to boycott the media! If Obama does get the nomination I will only watch fox News (I never thought I would be saying that) because they are the only ones that have been fair in this election. OBAMA IS A JOKE!
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 5:58:16 PM
He shouldn't be giving a speech tonight in Iowa. That would be setting the right tone.
But in his infinate arrogance he just doesn't get it.
All it will do is tick off women, Florida and Michigan, three things he needs to win in Nov.
But he isn't going to win in NOV and tonight's speech is just one more reason why.
Posted by: s.b. | May 20, 2008 5:58:19 PM
@ Steve_NJ
You obviously have a small P*nIs.
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:00:11 PM
By the way Rick just because the MSM says he is the nominee doesn't mean he will be.
There are 800 votes that can change their minds before August.
If they want to win in Nov, they may just do that, no matter what they have said in public.
Obama is unelectable.
Posted by: s.b. | May 20, 2008 6:00:24 PM
John,
You must be nuts.
Fox news objective?????
What have you been smoking buddy????
Posted by: Steve_NJ | May 20, 2008 6:01:01 PM
Rick Klein,
You are one of them too? There is no nominee yet.
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:02:48 PM
Clinton or McCain 2008 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never OBAMA .................
Posted by: keith1212 | May 20, 2008 6:03:41 PM
Early exit polls show 73% in Kentucy say that if Hillary is not the nominee than they will NOT support Obama. I also love how the Obama supporters say that if you say you will not support Obama than you are a pretend Republican. I am a True Hillary supporter and a Democrat BUT I will NEVER Support Obama! There is nothing that the Obama Kool-Aid drinkers can every say that will convince MOST Hillary supporters to vote for Obama. It is not that we like McCain, it is just that we will not support a MEDIA created FAKE.
Posted by: Noway Obama | May 20, 2008 6:06:33 PM
ABC, CNN and MSNBC have been in love with Obama from day 1 and told the world she was done after every primary. How could anyone compete with that? Obama is NOTHING and stands for NOTHING. How did he get this far? The majority of the media has gone to Sh*t.
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:08:08 PM
Ahh Rick, it's good to see you in charge of this blog. Now, at least Tapper's hounds won't censor every other post; That being said, what's up with all these Republicans spamming the Democratic primary blogs??? WTF??? I mean, I know your not happy with neo-lib McCain, but at least fein interest or act like the Republicans you are, rather than attack Democrats for being Democrats. Hell Hilliary's more conservative than McCain for christ sake. Are you sure you guys have registered as Democrats, or are you a part of Rush Limbaugh's overstated "Operation Chaos???" Any follower or person who takes their marching orders from Rupert Murdoch of FOX news or Limbaugh sure aint no Democrat!
Posted by: blog | May 20, 2008 6:09:12 PM
Obama, media and his supporters already made Hillary's supporters mad and they will vote against him in November. We will begin to switch to Fox news soon.
Posted by: Stephanie | May 20, 2008 6:11:44 PM
Never forget Obama's spiritual leader of 20 years:
"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people. ... God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme." ... "We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye." ... "We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own front yards. America's chickens are coming home to roost." ... "We started the AIDS virus ...
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:13:34 PM
John,
You appear to be kinda dyslexic on this one grasshoppa.
This campaign has shown that Obama has gotten everything right and what he stands for eminates in millions of Americans.
You will soon bear witness to the powerful grassroots American Movemement of HOPE AND CHANGE.
To top it off, you or any other whiney cynic, even as a collective, can't stop it.
See you at the inauguration!
Posted by: Nat Turner | May 20, 2008 6:13:44 PM
NO TRUE DEMOCRAT WILL REFUSE TO SUPPORT THE PARTY NOMINEE.
I AM A HILLARY SUPPORTER AND A TRUE DEMOCRAT. I WILL SUPPORT THE PARTY NOMINEE EVEN IF THAT NOMINEE IS OBAMA.
SAY IT AND FREE YOURSELVES PRETENDERS.
YOU ARE NOT DEMOCRATS, YOU ARE REPUGNANTS.
Posted by: Steve_NJ | May 20, 2008 6:15:03 PM
Ahh our first lady is so lovely:
"For the first time in my adult lifetime I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change." --Michelle Obama
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:15:26 PM
John, Ditto to your comment at 6:00:11.
Posted by: Brent | May 20, 2008 6:16:55 PM
John,
Son, don't you get it? Nobody's hearing you. Relocate to Fox news where other neanderthals whine and grunt at each other over who has the biggest stick.
You're funny. Barnum and Bailey are looking for some good clowns.
Posted by: Nat Turner | May 20, 2008 6:17:08 PM
I'm a life-long Democrat, but there is no way on God's green earth that I'm voting for Radical Obama.
Obama supporters do not get it, but Obama is too far left for most blue collar Americans to vote for.
Obama will say whatever he thinks will get him elected, but his actions speak much louder than his words-- and his actions show that he went out of his way to listen to the anti-American and racist sermons of Radical Left-Wing Pastor Jeremiah Wright for the last 20 years.
Posted by: USmarine0331 | May 20, 2008 6:17:50 PM
Over 70% of Clinton voters in KY say they will not vote Obama.
Wow! I hope those 800 super delegates ar thinking hard about those numbers.
He is unelectable.
Posted by: s.b. | May 20, 2008 6:18:04 PM
Things I never though I would do: Watch Fox News, Vote Republican, but then I never expected DNC to act like this or the MSM to be so biased. Never expected them to nominate such a green person. So never say never.
Posted by: Hillary1st,McCain2nd | May 20, 2008 6:18:31 PM
To blog
What do you mean by Republicans spamming these blogs. Are you also one of the ones who calls everyone who post against Obama a Republicans. Most of the post are from Democrats (Hillary Supporters) that wil not support Obama no matter what anyone says. A TRUE AMERICAN AND DEMOCRAT WOULD NEVER SUPPORT THE MEDIA CREATED FAKE CALLED OBAMA!
Posted by: Noway Obama | May 20, 2008 6:18:34 PM
@ Steve_NJ
You obviously have a small P*nIs.
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:00:11 PM
************************
John,
This must also apply to Obama "Sweetie".
Posted by: Steve_NJ | May 20, 2008 6:18:51 PM
BTW John,
Thanks for showing that eloquent statement from Mrs. Obama.
That was beautiful. There's more of that coming when she's the First Lady.
Posted by: Nat Turner | May 20, 2008 6:19:07 PM
Ooh John the Republicans have tape of Mrs obama saying much worse than that.
Supposedly, they are saving the tape for October and she makes referrence to some people she calls, "whitey".
I'm sure that will go over well in middle America.
Posted by: s.b. | May 20, 2008 6:20:05 PM
What has Obama done that is so awful that makes you Hillerites so upset? I honestly don't see it from him. I know that I have poked at some of you but I don't think he has done anything that could have wronged you except win.
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | May 20, 2008 6:20:37 PM
The Democratic Party has failed America by allowing this race to go on like this, to back someone like Obama and to not criticize the media for their sexism. Sorry I would rather stand by my principles than call myself a democrat.
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:21:39 PM
Polls are sooooooo funny. Take this one:
9 out of 10 Klu Klux Klan members support Senator Byrd of West Virginia.
Senator Byrd supports Barack Obama.
Does that same poll show 10 out of 10 KKK members now support Barack Obama?
Only in America folks!
Your next POTUS
Barack Obama
Posted by: Nat Turner | May 20, 2008 6:22:17 PM
Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it. Not smack [heroin] though.
--Barack Obama
Admitting taking cannabis and cocaine as a teenager, in 1995 memoir 'Dreams from My Father'.
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:22:33 PM
Believe me, there are a lot of hardcore democrats that will not support Obama. There is such thing as party loyalty, but I think country loyalty ranks higher. When it comes to McCain vs Obama, many democrats feel Obama could do more damage to our country than McCain - and that should be quite telling. We are not closet republicans, we are sensible voters who don't drink the Kool-Aid (no matter how trendy the flavor).
Regardless of what the media says, Hillary is not to be counted out. Her candidacy has a lot more support than many people realize.
Posted by: Just voted in Oregon | May 20, 2008 6:22:52 PM
To Nat Turner
We have all heard your racist remarks on all the blogs and all your racist comments are falling on death ears.What was it you said "you hate whitey's". Racist just like OBAMA and his WIFE!
Posted by: Matt | May 20, 2008 6:23:01 PM
Why are BHO supporters so rude and degrading?
When we believe that there is a better candidate for the country, we do not stick to the gun, voting blindly along party lines to gamble on the future for 4 years. If you have a better reason to persuade these people to vote for BHO, present you evidence, logically and convincingly, to win them back. These people are not rats, simply because they are planning on voting on the conscience. You have stolen the nomination from HRC, and you are now pushing her supporters complete over the edge.
We really wish all states have restrictions from selling alcohol on election day, so that there would have been less drunks who created this whole mess.
Posted by: a new name | May 20, 2008 6:23:04 PM
John,
You are no democrat "sweetie pie".
Posted by: Steve_NJ | May 20, 2008 6:23:48 PM
I cannot swallow whole the view of Lincoln as the Great Emancipator.
--Barack Obama
From 'Time' magazine June 2005.
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:24:33 PM
If rejecting Far Left-Wing Obama means that I'm no longer a Democrat, so be it.
Blue Collar Americans, like me, have rejected Obama.
If the Democratic Party wants to reject Blue Collar Americans, who do not support Obama, it should not be surprised when Blue Collar Americans leave the Democratic Party and become Independents.
Posted by: Hegel | May 20, 2008 6:24:39 PM
BTW, Kentucky does not allow selling alcohols on Election Day. Let's see who will win the election Kentucky when voters are sober.
Posted by: a new name | May 20, 2008 6:25:36 PM
Yes Matt,
We're going to capture you and turn you into a White Concubine and have you rob banks just like Patty, "The White Girl Hurtst".
booo! Be very afraid Matt.
The boogey bi-racial man from Hawaii is gonna get ya.
Run for the hills Matt!
What a sucka
Posted by: Nat Turner | May 20, 2008 6:25:36 PM
Yes Matt,
We're going to capture you and turn you into a White Concubine and have you rob banks just like Patty, "The White Girl Hurst".
booo! Be very afraid Matt.
The boogey bi-racial man from Hawaii is gonna get ya.
Run for the hills Matt!
What a sucka
Posted by: Nat Turner | May 20, 2008 6:25:42 PM
Mr Coffee the problem is he won't win in Nov. Also the comments from Obama supporters like yourself right on up to Senators and mr Axelrod are extremely offensive and oftern mysoginistic.
he will never be POTUS and has manipulated this proces. his supporters are rabid and full of double standards and the DNC and democratic party has allowed the wrong person to probably win the nomination again, adding to a long list of losers, who all support obama by the way.
The irony of McGovern, Kerry, and Kennedy all supporting Obama is enough to make a strong women democrat leave the party over the travisty that has been this nomination process.
Posted by: s.b. | May 20, 2008 6:26:51 PM
s.b. and all the other repugnants who are trashing Obama for no real reason other than to do it:
I have to laugh. A few people are polled at the exits and this is turned into some miraculous thing that is going to change people's minds and overturn the votes of many, thinking democrats who voted for Senator Obama.
You may wish to paint him as fake, but I think he is the REAL candidate in the race. Not created on the coattails of a spouse or the remnants of a military career.
It is unfortunate that so many Clinton supporters are upset and angry at losing the nomination. But that's politics. And it's time the Clintons experienced it so they can lose that sense of entitlement that cost them the nomination as it bred poor campaign management with the inability to see past Super Tuesday.
You supposed Clintonistas would rather have four years of McBush with failed economic policies, continued casualties in Iraq, and warmongering with Iran and other countries. And a candidate (McBush) who does not appear capable of handling the office of the Presidency.
Not me. I'm voting for Obama. And if you vote for McBush, you should consider leaving the Democratic Party.
Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!
Posted by: jackt51 | May 20, 2008 6:27:59 PM
That's silly talk... Talk to my wife. She'll tell me I need to learn to just put my socks on the hamper.
--Barack Obama
Asked about his thoughts on running for President in 2004 interview.
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:28:24 PM
A True American would NEVER vote for a Media Created FAKE!
Democrats Will Vote
Hillary 2008 - If Not Than McCain 2008
Posted by: Noway Obama | May 20, 2008 6:29:22 PM
John did Tuskeege happen? Were American soldiers not put in trenches during world war II during atomic testing? Was FDR not aware of the fact that Pearl Harbor was to be attaced a week before the actual attack, even though we broke Japan's codes? Did we not kill thousands (mostly civillians, otherwise known as "collateral damage") in Falluja, just as the Israeli's have killed thousands in the West Bank. (Including several college students who were peace activsts who just happened to be white AMERICANS!) Did Israel not attack the USS Liberty in international waters, and kill over 100 Americans in 1967? Here's an easy one: Watch "In Lies We Trust" on Google, and watch the inventor of the Salk vaccine stae on tape how he stubled upon AIDS, and Cancer in monkeys they brought in from Africa. Watch him state this on tape, and tell me how Wright is incorrect in his statements to his congregation. A pastors obligation is to honor the truth. Notice anyone who is willing to speak the truth in America today is crucified. Be it by opposing the war(s), or exposing the lies of the mainstream media. When's the last time that those in power were held accountable for the lies the used to take our wealth and power of us the American citizens? Not to mention the 935! lies that were used to get us into Iraq, and the new batch of lies that are getting us into IRAN...
Posted by: blog | May 20, 2008 6:30:20 PM
s.b.
Aren't you the same cynic that said he wasn't going to be the nominee too? Hmmm, if I recall, allow me to show you what you said would contribute to the end of Obama, but in reality, you've been wrong on all fronts. Typical Cynic
He won't win
He's not black enough
Rezko
He's a muslim
He's a black panther
Rev Wright
He's not white enough
The black vote won't carry him
Whites won't vote for him
He doesn't wear a US Flag lapel
He doesn't put his hand over his heart
His wife's thesis paper offended me
He doesn't have any experience
He can't be CINC
He's just a good "speaker"
He can't bowl
He offended small town folk
He didn’t win the debate. (laugh)
You've been wrong on everything, except we know he can't bowl.
In closing, everything you've predicted has been the exact opposite. You know what that means, don't you?
Who's gonna be your POTUS DADDY?
OBAMA 08
Posted by: Nat Turner | May 20, 2008 6:32:12 PM
NO TRUE DEMOCRAT WILL REFUSE TO SUPPORT THE PARTY NOMINEE.
I AM A HILLARY SUPPORTER AND A TRUE DEMOCRAT. I WILL SUPPORT THE PARTY NOMINEE EVEN IF THAT NOMINEE IS OBAMA.
SAY IT AND FREE YOURSELVES PRETENDERS.
YOU ARE NOT DEMOCRATS, YOU ARE REPUGNANTS.
Posted by: Steve_NJ | May 20, 2008 6:32:16 PM
Rick, blacks make up 12.5% of the population and live for the most part concentrated in a few red or blue states.
Women make up 52% of the electorate in every state.
I assure you we are angry, because of the way people like you in the MSM and the Obama campaign have viciously attacked Hillary as a woman in ways you would not a male candidate.
We are angry and we are taking our votes elsewhere. Many of us will simply write in Hillary Clinton.
It is real. A swing of 2% of the female vote will give the election to the Republicans in November. This has already happened.
Posted by: s.b. | May 20, 2008 6:33:19 PM
To jackt51
It is not only Republicans that are telling the truth about Obama. It is also GOOD Democrats that are also telling the truth about the MEDIA Created FAKE called Obama. I know because I am one of them. You Obama Fans just do not want to believe the truth which is Hillary Supporters will NEVER Support Obama,NEVER!
Posted by: Noway Obama | May 20, 2008 6:33:52 PM
"Hold on one second, sweetie, we're going to do -- we'll do a press avail." --Obama to a female reporter for ABC's Detroit affiliate who asked about his plan to help American autoworkers
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:36:03 PM
I never said obama is fake.
i said he is unelectable. Just look at the polls of Florida and Ohio. it's over before it has begun.
He is unelectable and the democrats are making the same stupid mistake they have made repeatedly in the past.
He is an extreme left radical from the North East. he was unelectable before the race began and his campaign ticked off enough women and rural, working class voters to seal his fate.
He is unelectable.
Posted by: s.b. | May 20, 2008 6:36:04 PM
You Obama supporters have thrown everything you could at Hillary and Bill. You have used Race and lies to attack Hillary. You have belittled her and her supporters and NOW you think for one second that we will vote for a MEDIA created FAKE like Obama. NEVER!
If the only choice we have is Obama or McCain than we will VOTE for McCain. We will never forget how Bill and Hillary were treated and now you and Obama complain about how his wife is treated!
Hillary 2008 IF NOT THAN McCain 2008
YES WE WILL!
Posted by: Matt | May 20, 2008 6:36:41 PM
Reason No. 1 not voting for Obama in November:
His action of abandoning the good people in W. V. and Kentucky, and those having similar backgrounds, simply because polls showed that he was behind, and simply because he believes they are less-educated and bitter and will not vote for him.
Posted by: a new name | May 20, 2008 6:37:03 PM
"It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." --Obama explaining his troubles winning over some working-class voters
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:37:50 PM
OK 'Joh" First, the article you are trying to quote from was from the july 4th 2005 issue of "Time". The issue was dedicated to separating myth from fact regarding Lincoln. The entire paragraph you attempt to condense to a single line is: "Still, as I look at his picture, it is the man and not the icon that speaks to me. I cannot swallow whole the view of Lincoln as the Great Emancipator. As a law professor and civil rights lawyer and as an African American, I am fully aware of his limited views on race. Anyone who actually reads the Emancipation Proclamation knows it was more a military document than a clarion call for justice. Scholars tell us too that Lincoln wasn't immune from political considerations and that his temperament could be indecisive and morose. But it is precisely those imperfections--and the painful self-awareness of those failings etched in every crease of his face and reflected in those haunted eyes--that make him so compelling. For when the time came to confront the greatest moral challenge this nation has ever faced, this all too human man did not pass the challenge on to future generations. He neither demonized the fathers and sons who did battle on the other side nor sought to diminish the terrible costs of his war. In the midst of slavery's dark storm and the complexities of governing a house divided, he somehow kept his moral compass pointed firm and true."
It has been long known that the emancipation proclimation was due as much to political pressures than his personal convictions.
The entire article is here:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1077287,00.html
Posted by: Louis | May 20, 2008 6:39:33 PM
"The point I was making was not that Grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person, who, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know, you know, there's a reaction that's been bred in our experiences that don't go away and that sometimes come out in the wrong way, and that's just the nature of race in our society."
Obama speaking about his typical white grandmother
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:39:46 PM
NAt i have never said obama is a muslim, nor have i said half of the things you listed.
He was however raised by a muslim in a muslim country and went to muslim schools and his father is muslim.
These are all facts. His mother was a socialist atheist. This is also a fact.
He is neither a muslim nor a socialist atheist. he was however raised by them. This is relevent in a presidential campaign.
He is also a member of the intelligencia. The food stamps single mother story is a tretch of the imagination given that he went to the most exclusive private school in Hawaii and hung out at the University campaus with three parents who had PHD's.
I am aware of all of Mr Obama's stories and the facts.
Posted by: s.b. | May 20, 2008 6:40:09 PM
I have always been a democrat until now...call me a repugnant...I don't care!! I will never vote for Obama...he is an obomination!! He is a liar...he is a wart! The media can love this crook and the DNC can love this crook, after all, they are all crooks! Lying to the public, spending our money on pork barrel b.s.....we Americans need to get rid of all these crooks. Let's start with Obama, next Pelosi and Dean and work our way forward!! The Democratic Party is not what it used to be...they are not for the people....only their own agendas and only to line their pockets! Obama wants to line the pockets of his sleezy friends and his black supporters! These idiots are our employees and we can fire them....the sooner the better!!!!
Posted by: pattydaggs | May 20, 2008 6:40:36 PM
Nate i have never said Obama is a muslim, nor have I said half of the things you listed.
He was however raised by a muslim in a muslim country and went to muslim schools and his father was muslim and step father is muslim.
These are all facts. His mother was a socialist atheist. This is also a fact.
He is neither a muslim nor a socialist atheist. He was however raised by them. This is relevent in a presidential campaign.
He is also a member of the intelligencia. The food stamps single mother story is a stretch of the imagination given that he went to the most exclusive private school in Hawaii and hung out at the University campus with three parents who had PHD's.
I am aware of all of Mr Obama's stories and the facts.
Posted by: s.b. | May 20, 2008 6:41:16 PM
Reason No. 2 not voting for Obama in November:
His lack of basic understanding of national and world security, by measuring level of terrorist threat based on the size of a country or a group.
His comments that Iran and Venezuela are a less threat than the Soviet Union because of their sizes are incomprehensible. By his measure, Osama bin Ladin has no place and is thus no threat.
The difference between BHO and HRC on Iran: There will be no nukes in Iran under HRC presidency, but a BHO will HOPE to beg Iran not to use nuke attacking Israel.
Posted by: a new name | May 20, 2008 6:41:52 PM
“ I FOUND A SOLACE IN NURSING A PERVASIVE SENSE OF GRIEVANCE AND ANIMOSITY AGAINST MY MOTHER’S RACE”. Obama From ‘Dreams of my Father’
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:44:22 PM
To s.b.
Please do not take anything that Nat Turner says to you as he is known in all the blogs as a racist lier and will twist everything that others say, just like Obama.He is a racist bigot that has said on other blogs that he "HATE WHITEY'S" so turn a death hear to this waist of space.
Posted by: Matt | May 20, 2008 6:46:10 PM
“The emotion between the races could never be pure..... THE OTHER RACE WOULD ALWAYS REMAIN JUST THAT; MENACING, ALIEN, AND APART". Obama From ‘Dreams of My Father’
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:46:43 PM
Reason No. 3 not voting for Obama in November:
His hypocrisy of alienating one group of people by continuously denouncing the Muslim faith, while associating with another group of people bestowing him the name Black Eagle, simply because one group of people benefits his political needs, while another group has the potential of "damaging" his "good" name.
Posted by: a new name | May 20, 2008 6:47:27 PM
“I CEASED TO ADVERTISE MY MOTHER'S RACE AT ABOUT 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites” Obama From Dreams Of My Father
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:47:54 PM
Most of the people who are determined to vote for McCain, more than likely voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004. So, don't be surprised when you hear so-called democrats say they won't vote for Obama. As for me, I'm a true independent voter who will not vote for Hillary if she is the Nominee, not because I don't like her, but because I just don't trust her. I will vote democrat if it's Obama though. This would be my 2nd time voting for a democrat. I don't understand why those who are so-called democrats find it so difficult to lose an internal battle, especially when Clinton and Obama have plans that have only very small differences. I have tried hard to figure out why people feel such hatred. Unfortunately I keep coming back to one of two reason and that is sexism and racism. I don't want to believe this about this country but I can find no other rational. All the arguments that people seem to put forth seem so weak; this weakness leads me back to the reasons I don't want to face: Sexism and Racism. That to means that this country isn't as far from the thinking of the 50's and 60's (though unobtrusively) as it would like to think it is. What we've seen during these elections is that America isn't that different from many other countries, even worse in some cases. This is why I'm glad Obama has run for president... it has unmasked sum of the realities of American Society. I'm also glad this happened in the Democratic Party... if it had happened in the Republican Party, democrats would have been condemning them, self-righteously, as bigots. This time the democrats have to look within and ask themselves who are we really?
A proud Independent.
Posted by: George | May 20, 2008 6:48:42 PM
Yet the Obama campaign seemed burned when word got out that Obama would in any sense be declaring "victory" tonight. With all the ruffled Democratic feathers these days, what can he say or do to set the right tone?
My answer is he can say, he agrees to be Hillary's vp and get the necessary experience before he runs for pres.
Posted by: Hillary1st,McCain2nd | May 20, 2008 6:48:49 PM
Of course, folks like new name and McBush just LOVE to take a comment and blow it up to meaning doomsday or terrible things generally.
McBush has been great at twisting comments and throwing them back as a way to deflect attention on his own shortcomings and flip-flopping.
Intelligent voters will see through this. Of course, we've elected Bush2 twice now, if you count the Supreme Court in 2000 as electing him!
Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!
Posted by: jackt51 | May 20, 2008 6:49:17 PM
“NEVER EMULATE THE WHITE MAN and brown men whose fates didn’t speak to my own. IT WAS INTO MY FATHER'S IMAGE, THE BLACK MAN, SON OF AFRICA, THAT I'D PACKED ALL THE ATTRIBUTES I SOUGHT IN MYSELF.." Obama From Dreams Of My Father
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:50:07 PM
Time for a reality check, if you'd vote for McCain over Obama, you are a republican and/or a racist. Because the issue divisions in this election are far to clear. Hillary has lost because she ran a poor campaign and did not win enough contests.
There are plenty of people that go with extremism regarding guns and religion because of bitterness and frustration. The most extreme ones form themselves up in compounds and in backwoods.
The less educated do not vote for Obama becaue they do not understand the complexity of the issues and are easily manipulated by spam emails, innuendos, and pandering promises. I'lll say it right now; if you think Obama is or ever has been a muslim, YOU ARE A LOW GRADE MORON AND FAR TO STUPID TO VOTE IN AN INFORMED MANNER. If you think he is Anti-American, racist, or sexist, YOU ARE A LOW GRADE MORON AND FAR TO STUPID TO VOTE IN AN INFORMED MANNER.
It is time for this country to grow up and its citizens to start behaving like they have a responsibility to the nation as a whole. It is simple, you want the war to continue or you don't, you want better elementary and secondary education for our kids, or don't, you want more access to college or you don't. You want lower taxes and access to affordable health care for the working and middle class or your don't. Choose.
Posted by: Louis | May 20, 2008 6:50:10 PM
“THAT HATE HADN'T GONE AWAY,” he wrote, blaming “WHITE PEOPLE- SOME CRUEL, SOME IGNORANT, sometimes a single face, sometimes just a faceless image of a system claiming power over our lives.” Obama From Dreams Of My Father
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:50:52 PM
“There were enough of us on campus to constitute a tribe, and when it came to hanging out many of us chose to function like a tribe, staying close together, traveling in packs,” he wrote. “IT REMAINED NECESSARY TO PROVE WHICH SIDE YOU WERE ON, TO SHOW YOUR LOYALTY TO THE BLACK MASSES, TO STRIKE OUT and name names” Obama From Dreams Of My Father
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:52:04 PM
Reason No. 3 not voting for Obama in November:
His hypocrisy of equating the administration of the only 2-term democratic president Bill Clinton to the GW Bush administration, and framing him, who had been declared to be the first black president, to be a racist, simply for his political game of implicating his opponent, HRC.
In the same vein, BHO destroyed the Joe Biden candidacy on the very day when he announced his candidacy, for God Sake, for praising him to be articulate.
Posted by: a new name | May 20, 2008 6:52:11 PM
Oops, I am losing counts. So, I will stop for now.
Posted by: a new name | May 20, 2008 6:52:54 PM
First of all, there is no definition of a "True Democrat." What is a Democrat?
However, there is a definition of "American" who is a person holding citizenship of the United States.
But a potential first lady, who makes over three hundred grand a year being a PR person for a non-profit whose husband was long groomed by the Chicago Illinois party machine that's probably the most corrupt in the country, keeps saying she would never be proud of America UNLESS she became the first lady.
What kind of attitude is that? If every wife who wishes to be the first lady but can't says God damn America because her wish won't come true, then what kind of country would we turn America into? America is not perfect, but nobody forces you to stay her. You are MOST welcome to invite yourself OUT if you don't like it here.
To keep listening to "God damn the U.S. of KKK-A" for TWENTY years is just nuts. There isn't any other way to put it. You will have to hate America to the guts and hope someone will come to blow it up totally to be able to tolerate that kind of hate.
No wonder Rev. Wright congratulated the perpetrators of 9/11 after then fact.
Posted by: Brent | May 20, 2008 6:52:55 PM
I'm switching to a real news station -John out
Posted by: John | May 20, 2008 6:54:39 PM
Are you BHO talking heads really seriously believe that HRC supporters are "less educated" and need to "grow up"?
It says much about why you are supporting BHO.
Posted by: a new name | May 20, 2008 6:58:24 PM
The democrats that are willing to vote for McCain are closer to the center of the party. The "progressives" are stuck so far left, they are having a problem comprehending this. In their world, anyone to the right of them is a racist republican. Far left is not mainstream no matter what they tell you on huffpo, and dailykos.
Posted by: Mack | May 20, 2008 7:00:39 PM
Brent, seriously, instead of just making stuff up, why don't you just say you don't want any n*ggers in the white house? that really is what it is all about for you and new name and John. None of what any of you say has any basis in fact or context. You hate, so you spew. It is truly pathetic. HRC is losing and has all but lost because you are the people she counts on as her base.
Posted by: Louis | May 20, 2008 7:02:11 PM
To Louis
YOU WROTE
"if you'd vote for McCain over Obama, you are a republican and/or a racist."
And you are a total MORON!
Typical Obama supporter response to everything.If you are not for Obama than you are RACIST.
You are a RACIST MORON.This is why Obama will NEVER be President.It is RACIST comments like this from Obama and his Supporters!
Posted by: Matt | May 20, 2008 7:03:54 PM
Obama is the least qualified Presidential hopeful in modern history to be even remotely considered.
People who won't vote Obama in November are not racists. They are rational adults.
Posted by: s.b. | May 20, 2008 7:04:25 PM
I am asolutely certain that sensible Americans of every race and shade of colour will not elect a junior senator with no experience to run our country at these troubles times. Most African Americans (except Michelle) cherish and love this country, and are worried about their future... They also know what the Clintons stand for, because they forever defended them and fought for all Americans to have a better life. Hillary Clinton has the vision, the policies and the strength to take us forward. And sensible people know that, and won't sabotage their own future.
Posted by: Retrovvision | May 20, 2008 7:06:07 PM