Political Punch

The real Semites in case everybody has forgotten are Arabs, Lebanese, Syrians, Jordanians and Palestinians. As far as the state of Israel goes it's a hybrid of many races just like the US. And as far as their religion goes, it is just that: `a' religion. Even taking all monotheists in bulk into consideration still leaves millions more people on the planet not convinced it is even a belief system they want to embrace.
Have fun ripping each other to shreds in the name of religion if you must but please keep it to yourselves, don't turn it unto un-realpolitik.

By the way, Elie Wiesel, Simon Wiesenthal, and Alan Dershowitz are not dumb enough to misinterpret this statement by Obama in the same way you have.

For the umpteenth time, I ask you: instead of deleting my comments only to see them reappear moments later, wouldn't it be a lot less work for both of us if you'd just ban me?

The path of least resistance would've been to just let my original comment stand, seeing as how there was nothing objectionable about it (save for the fact that it didn't agree with Tapper's post), but I guess it's to ABC's credit that their hacks aren't LAZY hacks.

Very good article and well written.

Well, what do you expect from someone who thinks his 3-week college trip to Pakistan more than 20 years ago gives him more knowledge of current foreign policy than Senators who interact and discuss policy with the policy-makers in more than 80 countries?

Of course, he thinks he's done more than ANYONE.

RS: Fine, we'll have to agree to disagree. Perhaps some day you'll conclude Obama is not as bad as you think right now. Perhaps not. In any cases, best wishes.

Morals and John McCain? A guy who cheated on his wife to have an affair with another guy's wife. Who left the wife he had while a POW because she had a car accident, lost bone structure and gained weight?

One more thing Danny, you say: "If you bother to read Obama's AIPAC speech of March 2, 2007". It's getting very tiresome that the only defense Obama supporters can make for Obama is "if you read his speech from blah, blah, blah, did you hear his speech on race, blah, blah, blah,". Obama is a puppet candidate that makes puppet speeches,at locations desired by his puppet masters and Obama does not take any actions that back up his claims for change, unity and hope which is his supposed message for this country. Michelle Obama is only now proud of her country, and it would be interesting to read her entire Princeton thesis that is under lock and key. Obama wants Hillary to release all her records, but the Obama's keep their sealed shut. Men and woman who sit silently while racism and anti-semitism are happening right under their noses, are condoning it by their INACTION. That is Obama's weakness, and it is a sorry state for this country that the media is not interested in exposing this about Obama.

Danny: Obama is not the man he claims to be, and get used to the "tirades" from lots of Americans if Obama becomes the democratic nominee. It's interesting that you bring up Obama's recent support of Israel - March 2007 - when he was getting to run for president. How convenient for Obama. Too bad Obama's connections to Wright, Farrakhan, Rezko, Ayers, Khalidi, Said and others that are sure to come out tell a different story. Obama's weekly church bulletins had anti-semitic statements in them, his church featured stories about Hamas in its church bulletin, and Obama claims he did not know this was going on in his church, or if it was, he disagreed but didn't do anything to stop it. Danny, you will find lots of other Americans who will go on a tirade when they realize the extent of racist, anti-semitic, anti-american connections within Obama's world. There is no forgiving or forgetting terrorists that kill innocent people and featuring the work of Hamas in Obama's church bulletin tells me that Obama is an anti-semite by staying in that church and not taking a stand against racism and anti-semitism and murder of innocent Israelis.

Two Words:

Zbigniew Brzezinski

and just a ps for RS--Obama has had absolutely no association with Farrakhan and the Black Panthers. Those accusations are ridiculous.

RS: That was quite a tirade...it's actually as factually inaccurate and extreme as some of the worst statements made by the very people you criticize Senator Obama for associating with.

Joe Lieberman was one of Obama's mentors in the Senate. One of Obama's first political jobs was workng for a Jewish activist. Obama is not an extremist, period.

If you bother to read Obama's AIPAC speech of March 2, 2007, you'll find details of his trip to Israel in which he flew over the West Bank in an IDF helicopter and visited the site where a Hezbollah rocket landed in Israel. He has been criticized by some on the left for being too pro-Israel!!!!

He is absolutely not the person you make him out to be. He's certainly not perfect, but he and his wife are very decent Americans. Calling Michelle anti-American is surely beneath your dignity.

Obama is all duck and no dinner.

WHY HASN'T THE MEDIA BEEN ALL OVER THIS? CHECK IT OUT! I would really like the Larry Sinclair matter to be looked into in MUCH more detail (check out Larry Sinclair on You Tube

THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED - THE MEDIA IS IGNORING THE STORY.

This is my second attempt to post...

I think you're being unfair...speaking fears than what actually may be the truth. We need to hear/see what he's about--being a bridge between peoples--there are worse things than making peace a possibility.

Let's keep the discussion civil and to the point!

Thank you Jake for pointing that out. Obama often makes these kinds of statements without any substantiation, and the media lets him go unchallenged. It's absurd. Obama needs to prove that he is the most fiercely speaker against anti-Semitism, or this is just another exaggeration.
On second thought, it's hard to prove that one is the best at something. How about Obama proves what he has done to oppose anti-Semitism? What legislation has he passed or authored? When did he speak out against it and how many times? It's pretty to easy to show that you are strongly against something by the work you've done.

Obama had twenty years to challenge his congregation's leadership and he never did it until now.

I guess it depends on what your definition of Jewish is...if you repeatedly say, "I'm a Christian, I'm a Christian," maybe in BO's head that means you are speaking out against anti-Semitism.

This racist anti-Semitic man can not be allowed anywhere near the White House. I don't think he's even qualified to be a Senator -- since when do we allow members of racist and anti-Semitic organizations to continue their memberships and still be elected officials? He must have some dark dirt on all these pols that are backing him. We need you PA, IN, KY, SC, WV, MT, PR, etc...we need you to save us. Please. Vote Hillary as she will get us out of Iraq and keep our nation safe. She'll restore the messed up trickle down economic failure, too.

Seems every week even the adoring media can't ignore the lies that Obama gets caught in. Couple that with Hillary's shrill campaign of insanity, and I think we need to get used to two words: President McCain.

McCain is the ONLY candidate who has more than two years of proven efforts in reaching across the isle to resolve problems in a bipartisan manner.

Plus, he's a Cylon.

I really am amazed at Senator Obama's arrogance. No noe has been more outspoken on anti-semitism than he? Wow that must be a great surprise to his Rev. Wright -- do you think that Sen. Obama ever "guest lectured" from the pulpit of the TUCC about the wrongs of anti-semitism?

Doesn't he know that people record these silly remarks and will play his untrruths back to him over and over?
This is insulting hyperbole.

To Danny: Yes, Obama gave a speech, he seems to be good at that. But look at his actions. You are leaving out the part where Obama and his anti-american wife Michelle went to Rashid Khalidi's house and Obama gave a speech in support of the Palestinians, not in support of Israel. If you look at just a few of who Obama's close associates and friends are: Rezko who is Syrian, Ayres, Khalidi, Wright and Farrakhan, it would seem that Obama talks a good talk, but does he walk the walk? Obama walks in the path of Wright, Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam, the Black Panthers, that is where Obama walks. How much money has Obama donated to Jewish causes? Obama donated $27,500.00 to his anti-semitic, anti-white, anti-american church. Obama sat in a church where hatred was preached, he is friends with men that hate america, and you want to say they are "respected intellectuals"! Fine. Let Obama sit out his days at a University somewhere practicing his elite intellectualism, we don't need him running our country and putting our childrens' lives at risk.

I will say this. Noone ever has to ask the Clinton to distance themselves from relationships, if they are bad then they walk away. The Clintons are very loyal people which I respect because there is too little of it left in this country. It must be very difficult to sever those ties. Obama gets asked over and over again and usually has some self serving comment that is all too transparent ie the Rezko thing, the whole Wright thing and now Ayers.

- The man's ego and hubris are staggering.

As is the willing blindness of the people who support him.

One word sums them up best....sheep.

RS--

Obama has gone to Israel in 2006, spoken before AIPAC in 2007, and his Israel policy is in line with all mainstream candidates. He has utterly condemned Ahmadinejad's anti-Semitism and holocaust denying, as well as his desire for nuclear weapons.

These will without doubt be his policiies as President.

Ayers is going to be his biggest problem and do not think for one second that the republicans are going to treat him like some God the way the MSM has he may be in trouble if he can't get security clearance. Because of friends like Ayers. And the only way he can win is by leaving out Fl.and MI.him and his left wing nuts should have thought this thru. IMO

"And nobody has spoken out more fiercely on the issue of anti- Semitism than I have."

That is true if he means in favor of it.

Did not his pastor give the award to Farrakhun, did not his pastor travel with Farrakhun?

Obama is a racist and a anti-semite!

Leaving MI. and FL. out is the only way Obama can win the Nomination. I believe Hillary can run this country in a healing way and is smart will be well liked all over the world. And she is the only one who can beat the Rep machine quit kidding yourself Obama can't win I am not a left wing nut I remember when they taxed us uuntil no one could hardly make it Hillary is more to the center do you really think any one who has been active in Pol. does not know what is going on or how far left are party can go mainstream America is not ready for Obama in four years there will be enough young people who will be able to take the house but now the way it is he will not get enough of the white middle age women who believe we have a responsibilty to our children and grand children IMO

Obamaites should watch for Karl Rove on Fox News. He did an excellent job last night of concisely laying out the GOP talking points against Obama. And of course, those were just today's points. There will be many more to come in the months ahead should Obama be the Democrat's nominee. I found it especially interesting that he focused some attention on Obama's abyssmal lack of a record in the Senate. Obama is a total package of empty rhetoric with flashy wrappings - the GOP will unwrap him with no trouble at all!

The only way obama can prove he is not anti-Semitism is to leave his church.

The UCC mandates that Israel lay down their weapons, tear down their wall.

They have no demands or mandates for Palestine.

How Mr Obama thinks That is ok to belong to a church that harbors hatred for the Government and people of this great country, Is Adsurd, and still wants to run and become president. Although Wright has retired, the beliefs and teachings will remain a part of the church.

Then they come out with, anti-Semitism is very high in the church. Many have left UCC, some entire congregations have left.

With all the lies Mr Obama has come out with on his dear friends, Closet friends and family. He not above lying about his beliefs or for/on his church.

If he is against so much of what his church teaches believes in why stay?

If you attend this church and donate money and support it. Then you agree and believe what they teach, stand for.

He will never have to stop answering Questions on this subject and others. As long as you pursue The presidency of the United States.

When a group of people hate your country. Hate The entire white race and hate Jews. You belong and support it. Then you are part of it, and if you stay you believe in it.....Period!!!!

Bishop....If Hillary runs our country like she runs her campaign...we're in BIG trouble...

JennyC...you better check out the Clinton's associates...no one has sided with more shady characters than the Clintons. This is not only personnally but through their business arrangements.
They scare me a lot worse than Obama. And as for Mccain....100 more years...let see that would make about $50,000 Americans killed?

"Look at the picture of Obama and Michelle with his arm around Edward Said."

O MY GOD. Said, believe it not, is a great and internationally well known and respected scholar, writer and intellectual.

Of the candidates in this race, the only one with close Arab friends is Clinton as you should know. Look at their many connections with the Saudis, look at friendship with Mr. and Mrs. Arafat and others inside the PLO as well btw. The Saudi connections do NOT belong to the past; large part of the money for Bill Clinton's speeches (as for the Clinton Library) comes from Israel's direct enemies. The Saudis even today provide for a large part of the Clinton money.

And Hillary Clinton, during a visit to the Arafats, calmly listened to hate speeches and false accusations against Israel, only to firmly embrace Mrs. Arafat, tearing up after hearing lies about Isreal killing a 1000 Palestian babies. Now THAT is tough and true stuff, which is on record, and which is NOT guilt by association, so you better realize where you should focus on.

More and more each day I can not stand Obama. This is part of the extremist views he has. When he is away from the pulpit with his speeches written by someone else, his true self emerges and it is not something I like at all.

Obamaites can decry my list of Wright, Farrakhan, Rezko and Ayres all they want - but should Obama get the nomination that List of Four will cost him the election in November.

We can dredge up Clinton history all you want - but the American people have heard it all before and will simply shrug their shoulders, perhaps hold their noses, and vote their pocketbook.

Wow- Is not the objective of the Dems to beat MCain? This Obama is a loose cannon for sure. Whats going to happen if he wins nomination and comes under real scrutiny. Wake up before its too late. Go Hillary 08

@carpenter
"Where is the proof that Obama has supported Jews in anyway"

Senator Obama gas a 100% pro-Israel voting record, you simpleton. Better read this thread before repeating false dumbhead accusations. Plus, he is the ONLY candidate who made the fight against anti-semitism an issue in this campaign.

Do read the letter in this thread by the rabbis and other Jewisk prominent people from PA who endorse Obama BECAUSE he is such a stalwart friend of Israel and the Jewish people. And shame on you!

I think he is a white man first a left wing-nut and will have no chance in Nov. he will fail the big test I don't see much change if we put him in higher taxes for all because that is what the far left believe in. Hillary is smart we know who she is and she is ready on day one she does't need a bunch of 75 year old men telling her what to do.

Well he compares himself to Moses, what do you expect. He also has more foreign policy experience than any other candidate because he took a trip to Pakistan once and lived in indonesia as a child.

The man's ego and hubris are stagering.

The question and the answer show that the Wright scandal is most definitely not put to bed. Far from it.

It's astonishing that the media has declared it so, despite the fact that there has not been an election since the Wright story broke and, therefore, those who count, i.e. voters, have not yet weighed in on the matter. And you can just forget the polls on this one. No pollster can say that he can measure a Bradley effect (until after an election) because by definition it is exactly a contradiction in the voting booth of a poll response.

Doesn't that give ANYBODY in the media pause?

???? Where is the proof that Obama has supported Jews in anyway other than to SAY he has (more empty words)

!!!! He has regulary given over 2000.00 a month to the church of Rev Wright.

Are their legislations passed by him to support Jews in any ways?..... has he given to any Organization other than African related ? If anything -- major Arab Organizations have given plenty of money to Obama's campaign...!!!! with LOVE

When he was in Pakistan ( during his University years ) did he talk about unity and peace towards Isreal?

I am not Jewish but I am offended by his remark of being a supporter of Jews.

He didn't have to say this statement---" And nobody has spoken out more fiercely on the issue of anti- Semitism than I have." !!!!! BUT WHEN YOU ARE PUSHED UP AGAINST THE WALL--- YOU WILL SAY ANYTHING.

ARE PEOPLE REALLY BELIEVING THIS GUY !!!??????????????

Greogry, I saw the NBC special on Coe and Hillary aw well. Now THAT is scary, certainly for Jews. Hillary's spiritual adviser (in her own words) compares Jesus Christ to Adolf Hitler!

He speaks favorably of the power the top Nazi's had: ""Hitler, Goebbels and Himmler were three men. Think of the immense power these three men had, these nobodies from nowhere,” Coe said.

I'm truly amazed, after seeing this, that the MSM keeps so quiet about it. If the media would indeed be against Clinton, that would never have been the case. It's amazing, and shocking.

Obama is lying about this too. The tribute to Farrakhan is a lifetime achievement award in the name of Jeremiah Wright. It was not just related to "outreach."

Don't let the Obama Jedi Mind Trick fake you out. He's lying.

Obama. He's not who he says he is.

It is beyounf comprehension how gullible and soooooo easily led around people are by Obama. As Yoda would say "Racist he is." Quote from his speech about "denouncing Wright" - MY grandmother is a typical white woman...end quote. His wife: "For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country." Come on people, you are sheep being willingly led to the slaughter! WAKE UP, FOR GOD'S SAKE.

so Sue
I guess you flock with Mark Penn-selling out American Jobs
Abdul Jinnaha
William Danielczyk
Tamil Rehabilitation Organization -Terrorist
Norman Hsu
Tata concsultancy Service-hundreds of Jobs sent to India

So you must have some pretty feathers of your own?

Oh I forgot Hillary has not had to
denounce anyone? She never gave back hundred of thousands? Mrs. Duck and run
for cover , Mrs. I have always been against NAFTA_in private, Mrs Sell out American jobs, My Husbands for Colombia Trade Deal I hire a Lobbyist to Push Colombia Trade Deal,Me i have put Mark out of the driver seat But put him in the Passenger seat.Mrs My Husband just got awarded for My peace progress in Ireland
Mrs Perfect Flip Flopper

Hoosier Sue

You are kidding right?

The Clintons and relationships...do you realize how many relationships they have had to "distance" themselves from...

I would post all of them but I am sure Jake would delete it for being too long. I mean it's the Clintons you are "not" talking about.

C'mon...you listed 4 people...haha...I bet YOU and I would need to list more than 4 people if we ran for President and they suddenly started looking at every association we had in our lives.

The Clintons have LISTS...long LISTS of bad questionable realationships and you want to bring those up ...LOL

I don't think that is something (as we know you are a Hillary supporter) that you want to go anywhere near.

@"It's never enough to just say words, especially when Obama's actions say something completely different than his words"

as said time and again: Senator Obama has a 100% pro-Israel voting record, which is the true action that counts for Jewish voters. Besides he's the only candidate who made fighting anti-semitism a theme in in campain. So what ARE you talking about? My whole for a larger part Jewish family, scattered over Europe, Israel and America, has FULL confidence in Obama. And they are VERY well informed about the candidate, I guarantee you that.

We pray that he will be America's next President.

If I had to denounce as many relationships as Obama, I wouldn't be running for President of All The People. I mean, seriously, does this guy know any normal people?

Rev. Wright
Louis Farrakhn
Tony Rezko
William Ayers

Birds of a feather flock together!

This is ridiculous. You want him to prove a negative. There is not one anti-semitic, anti-Israel word that has come from Sen. Obama. Nor has he ever done anything that could be perceived as anti-Jewish.

This is not just about Obama. It is about those who he is beholden and what kind of administration he will put together. Who does he owe favors to for his political rise. That's what disturbs me the most. If he has power who will benefit. I certainly don't want anti-American racists in any positions of influence. Talk about the opposite of hope and unity.

RS

Rev. Wright and Louis Farakhan are different... and if you can't see that then you don't understand what racism is.

What actions besides decrying the negative speeches. Obama has said the same things about white racists as black racists...he decries the words....if they took actions he would decry the actions. If those actions were criminal he would focus on that.

Obama has been consistent on both sides of the racism issue... the problem is unsderstanding where those words come from...and why can someone who does good things not understand how hurtful and potentially racist their words are because they are confused on the racist issue. Ferraro is someone who doesn't understand the racism issue.

Racism has more to do with who has the power in the status quo...their is a difference in ethnocentrism and racism. Their is a difference in a culture, religion, gender or race that has been oppressed for years upset at the opposite sector for having been oppressed (not helping the situation much of the time) and someone who has the power in the status quo using it to keep the other down and withhold power.

But I do not suppose you understand that.

But I suppose you would just rather use that for a political tool.

To Danny who writes: I decry racism and anti-Semitism in every form and strongly condemn the anti-Semitic statements made by Minister Farrakhan." -- Senator Barack Obama, January 15, 2008

Enough said.

NO, NOT ENOUGH! It's never enough to just say words, especially when Obama's actions say something completely different than his words. Obama's actions by staying in his racist church for 20 years, for sitting by while whites, jews and catholics, and who knows who else are condemned by Rev. Wright, are racist actions. Sitting by and doing nothing is not the kind of president or world leader that this country needs. OBAMA CAN NEVER SAY ENOUGH, A SPEECH IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, OBAMA NEEDS ACTIONS TO BACK UP HIS WORDS WHEN IT COMES TO HATE! Obama sits on the fence about the Olympics, his actions tell us how he feels about racism and human rights.

We are on our third version -- as of this morning -- of Senator Obama's opinion as to a boycott of the Olympic Games in China. The issue of HUMAN RIGHTS is something that you either feel deeply or your don't. It is not something that you pass through your political platform or wait for Gordon Brown of the UK to do for you. We have had eight years of someone with no record of human rights.

For me, Obama's waffling on this basic and core personal value tracks very well with the man that has emerged from his church experience tempered by a man of inordinate ambition. I have seen all I need to see.

onece Obama speaks he must have the last word! Remember he is the messiah - anything that came before him is part of the problem!
Anyone who spoke about race prior to the fallout from his pastor, was a racist!
Until he had to address it himself in a speech and then of course it was okay to talk about race and acknowledge that is in fact an issue for some! Wow!
Wake up America, Obama is just another politican

Just checking to see how hot the kitchen gets when any slight criticism of Obama is printed. Interesting phenomonon this election 2008.

I am doubtful that Obama is a bigot. But I do think that he had a lot of trouble in a 20 year relationship with Wright in standing up to his views. I believe that Wright was indeed the mentor.

I also believe that Obama knew exactly what Wright was teaching in church. Terrible anti-Semitic attacks were taking place in the Church paper (The Trumpet) as late as Nov 2007....Wright was attacking Obama's political rivals in profane and racist attacks on Christmas 2007...while he coincidently was a part of Obama's campaign.

Obama tried when he announced his campaign to distance himself publically, but he still put Wright on his Faith Outreach Campaign.

It could be true that everyone lies are exaggerates. But Obama is much more of a deceiver (former paster when the guy retired in Dec 2007) I didn't hear it or know it (he knew at the latest when he started his campaign he admitted that much) and how in the world could he not have known sooner...Do you wonder? Does it puzzle you? That's because the guy is a convincing liar.

Neither Obama or Michelle have experienced the radical type of racism or segregation that their parents might have experienced. Both have had priviliged lives and Iby League educations. I believe the anger that they seem to have is based on constant exposure to a church that is sepratism and Black Theology based.

Obama took a hate American speech by rev wirght, he came back to address that, but did not. He instead Chose to Called all Americans Racist.

That was childish and of an 8th grade level.

Now he talks about doing a Patriotism speech.

Duh!

"God Damning America" was anti- Patriotism

"I decry racism and anti-Semitism in every form and strongly condemn the anti-Semitic statements made by Minister Farrakhan." -- Senator Barack Obama, January 15, 2008

Enough said.

And as far as Obama's overall stance on his relationship with Reverend Wright, here's what General Colin Powell said Wednesday on Good Morning America:

"I think that Sen. Obama handled the issue well . . . he didn't look the other way. He didn't wait for the, for the, you know, for the storm to go over. He went on television, and I thought, gave a very, very thoughtful, direct speech. And he didn't abandon the minister who brought him closer to his faith," Powell told Sawyer.

Just curious if those who condemn Obama for his stance on Wright are now going to condemn Colin Powell, too?

"I’ve been very clear about saying that was wrong. And nobody has spoken out more fiercely on the issue of anti- Semitism than I have."

Since Barack is an intelligent person, I'd assume that by "nobody," he meant none of the other CANDIDATES. Because otherwise, such a statement is ridiculous, and he knows that.

I can't believe this made it to a blog and that I'm actually commenting on it. Holy crap. Will we be commenting on Elton John's comments about misogyny in the US next?!

Yes Obama did this to himself but the voters spoke long before it was a public issue in the MSM.

Clinton was not the only name on the MI ballot... there were others and in addition to Undecided.

The Obama camp publicly encouraged people to vote Undecided against Clinton as did the Edwards camp. I dont remember the Richardson or Biden camps ever doing anything and neither of them ever got much of a vote anywhere.

This means the undecided voters were Obama, Edwards, Richardson, and Biden supporters which accounted for 40% of the vote in the MI dem primary. For the people who cheated by voting in the rep primary (they had to lie and say they were reps), I dont feel sorry for them. The official election results were Clinton 55%, Undecided 40%, Kucinich 4%, Dodd 1%, and Gravel 0%. Clinton offered to give Obama the 40% which he did not even earn. He turned it down and preferred to block a revote even after he stated he would not block anything the DNC agreed to. He lied because counting MI will hurt him as much as counting FL will.

All of the candidates who removed their names were stupid and insulting to the voters. The only thing the DNC required in the pledges was to not campaign in FL and MI. Obama even violated that in FL after he tried to get his name removed there and FL did not allow removal. Clinton did not campaign in FL and still beat him (Clinton 50% Obama 33% Edwards 14% Biden 1% Richardson 1% Kecinich 1% Dodd 0% Gravel 0%) so he blocked counting FL as much as he could.

Bottom line? If the courts dont order a resolution, the credentials committee likely will and the votes will count and most likely 1/2 the delegates will be seated as proposed by a DNC official. This will bring the race to a dead heat. This will take some pressure off the superdelegates and setup for party unity at the convention. If the delegates and superdelegates get it right and vote for the most electable candidate at the convention, the loser may end up as a running mate but will no doubt support the winner as a dem.

I dont know what everyone is so upset about. This is an election. Americans are competitive. The best way to generate interest is to have a great clsoe race all the way to the convention. The RNC does not want this because they need a split to win so they have been trying to get dems to vote based on Identity as they always have done strategy wise. The dem voters keep falling for it.

The DNCC is supposed to be where the ballots are cast over and over until a nominee is chosen. Let the system work instead of pandering to the people who think the DNCC is supposed to be a fancy party with speech opportunities. Nothing will energize and prepare candidates more for the GE than a tight competitive race. People who were present in 1968 have repeatedly stated the party is not split like 1968 and there is no reason a unity ticket and a united party cannot beat McCain. I seriously think Obama will lose to McCain if the party does not unite.

This is exactly what the RNC has been engineering since last year but few dems are paying attention... they take the mush the MSM feeds 'em oh so easily and dont realize the RNC did a press release last summer with every major piece of dirt dems are reacting to. Now we are seeing conservative Reps clearly stating they are changing to dems in PA to ensure Obama does not win because they are breaking with their own party to ensure Clinton wins in case something happens to McCain due to his age. Simply stated, they like McCain but they prefer Clinton over Obama because they believe she may not be as great a CIC as McCain (sic) but that she is definitely qualified to be CIC. They believe Obama is not fit or qualified to be CIC and I have to agree on that point. But then, I am a Clinton supporter. Will I vote for McCain if she doesnt get the nom? Very possible... if I had to vote today? Yes and it pains me very much to say that but I am honest. I care more about my country and our security than I care about any party politics. I am a proud Independent who has always supported Dems but that might have to change in November.

thank you jake-i find the fact that you take turns examining the record of both of our potential nominees useful. keep up the good work, and yes ask the hard questions-even when the supporters of either camp protest. we deserve to know. clinton 08

Obama flips flops about every important subject to Americans so far. He changes when he sees it fit his agenda. He has been proven to lie constantly. He's a coward that sends his supporters to attack his opponent, while he claims to be running the camphttp://abcnews.go.com/images/site/blog/btn_post_ov.gifaign platform of change and hope and no personal attacks. How convenient! He can't be trusted. Zero experience, and no respect for the voters, because he is trying to deceive us into voting for him while lying to each and everyone.

Y'know, I would have had a lot more respect for Obama if he would have come out and said, "Look, a lot of people may uncomfortable by the anger in Rev. Wright's words, and HOW he said what he said, but the fact is, a lot of what he said is, to at least some extent, true, and these are real problems in our society. But, it just seems awfully convenient that he wouldn't have been in church those days and had no idea this was going on.

Also, I will assume that 90 or 95% of the time, Rev. Wright's sermons did not sound like the snippets the general public has heard, and his good qualities far outweigh his bad. I'm willing to give Obama the benefit of the doubt on that one and say, he's intelligent, he's an adult, and he can think for himself and know to let certain things go in one ear and out the other. But, my problem is, he took his two young children to this church, also, and they wouldn't yet have that ability.

When Ayers was a radical? Obama was eight. 8 eight 8 as in e-i-g-h-t. As in 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. That would be third grade. As in 1, 2, 3. As in 3. So Obama was eight, and third grade when Ayers was a radical. Can this all get more stupid?

I still don't understand why Obama never distanced himself from this church / pastor. His answers seem to shift over time.

If he couldn't influence his 20 year pastor / advisor to think more tolerantly, then how am I supposed to expect him to unify the entire country.

At Ebenezer Baptist Church, the home church of Martin Luther King, Jr., Obama said to the gathered black community:

" For most of this country's history, we in the African-American community have been at the receiving end of man's inhumanity to man. And all of us understand intimately the insidious role that race still sometimes plays - on the job, in the schools, in our health care system, and in our criminal justice system.

And yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that none of our hands are entirely clean. If we're honest with ourselves, we'll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to King's vision of a beloved community.

We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them. The scourge of anti-Semitism has, at times, revealed itself in our community. For too long, some of us have seen immigrants as competitors for jobs instead of companions in the fight for opportunity.

Every day, our politics fuels and exploits this kind of division across all races and regions; across gender and party. It is played out on television. It is sensationalized by the media. And last week, it even crept into the campaign for President, with charges and counter-charges that served to obscure the issues instead of illuminating the critical choices we face as a nation."

That is courageous, and these are the words of a true uniter. I can only speak for myself of course, but I'm convinced that Barack Obama is the sort of outspoken and honest politician many Jewish people have been hoping for in this country. As shocked as my parents have been by the video 'loops' of Rev. Wright, as impressed they were by Obama's great PA speech and by his defense of Wright as a human being while strongly rejecting part of his ideas and statements. In that defense of a human being they have recognized the true judeo-christian spirit of Obama, a spirit one rarely finds in American politicians as a profound truth and superior value. They will vote for him, and so will I.

Isn't it funny he speaks strongly against something only after he is forced to.

The fact is he will not be elected president.

He is fooling no one. He thinks people will let him bamboozle their votes.

He was part of that Church for 20 years in spite of all the anti-semitic venom spewed by Rev. Wright. Some one should ask his daughters few questions on camera and it will be a revelation what they have been exposed to.

Rezko, Wright, Farrahkhan, and now....tonight on Hanity & Colmes they did a segment on Obama's friend Bill Ayres, who happened to be involved in some bombings in the 70's. They have acquired a tape of this guy speaking at a campus in North or South Dakota saying he was not at all remorseful for what he did. I guess this guy has sat on a board or two with Sen. Obama, and on the program they quoted David Axelrod as saying they are friendly. Why is no one concerned about all of these pieces fitting together? The mass media is not reporting anything at all about this. Does it really take FOX news every single time to bring out deep concerns about Obama? Someone mentioned on the program that Obama's public persona could very well just be marketing....I have been saying this since December. Just because he says he doesn't agree with someone or something, doesn't make it true.

Obama's about as much of an anti-semite as Clinton is honest

Amen, Vanessa! Good post! There are so many more to add but we would not have the room. :) Jake and Carol float on other blogs - I have seen their posts before. it is always same old, same old.

marian: "In the internet you can find the names of the rabbis, etc." As you already have the letter, how come you do not have the names of the signatories. That is the most important part of the letter, don't you think? Can you please provide the link to support your statement? I really will like to see it. I have a lot of family in PA and nobody has heard about this letter. So, please, illustrate us.

I'm a Jewish voter who has a great confidence and trust in Barack Obama. As a Senator he has a 100% pro-Israel voting record, which is the most reliable indicator of a candidate's political stand on Israel. He has addressed anti-semitism various times during this campaign, pointing out it's existence in the black community. He is the true opposer of Rev. Farrakhan in this respect, and he is a courageous politician for tackling the issue of anti-semitism while speaking to the black community. He has my full support and my vote in the primary and the GE.

Jake-

I think you are being a little overly sensitive. I seriously doubt that he literally meant he has done more than "anyone". We all say things all the time like "nobody wants this or that more than me". We don't mean it literally. I think we are really starting to stretch to turn every word into a story.I also think it's sad that all these candidates are forced to try and keep every sub group happy with every decision they make. To blame Obama for everything Wright or Farakhan did is like trying to blame me as a Catholic for crimes my church has committed over the ages. Millions didn't quit when the priest cover-ups happened. We as Catholics aren't blamed when they spout their thoughts on gays. I think we need to realize we are never going to have a "perfect candidate" because there are no perfect people. We all need to deal with what we've got.

Again, Imus sounds off with a racist remark and Obama says he's got to go. Yet he tapdances and lies to protect Wright and Farrakhan. Work with ex-offenders is a carefully crafted line worked out with his handlers. Shows beyond the shadow of a doubt that Obama will not be an even-handed president. There will be one standard for the Imuses, and another for the Wrights and Farrakhans. He is clearly showing where his allegiance lies.