60 posts tagged “politics”

Fox News and the right-wing have been hard at work spreading their vile messages of hate about Barack Obama, none of which have anything to do with reality or the real issues America now faces. Remember what is at stake in the General election. Don't get distracted with sophomoric venom.

If you haven't heard about the homophobic and ridicules comments from Oklahoma State Representative, Sally Kern, watch this clip from Ellen. Usually nonpolitical, Ellen couldn't help but discuss this on her show last week.

If you'd like to give Representative Kern a call to discuss her views, she can be reached at (405) 557-7348, or she can be emailed at sallykern@okhouse.gov.

Yesterday a six member Senate Ethics Committee, including three Democrats and three Republicans, concluded that Senator Craig was guilty as charged and acted improperly during his arrest in an airport sex-sting operation. The panel also admonished him for using $213,000 in campaign funds to pay for his legal bills.

In a letter, the panel told Senator Craig that they believe he, "committed the offense to which you pled guilty" and that "you entered your plea knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently." They also said that the Senator only tried to withdraw his guilty plea to avoid public disclosure.

This Senate Ethics Panel conclusion only solidifies Senator Craig's status as the first inductee into my Halls of Hypocrisy. Not that one needs to be reminded, but this is the married Senator who has fought tirelessly for decades against gay-rights legislation. In all of his arrogance, he continues to serve the state of Idaho and has the continued support of his poor gullible wife.

It almost seems as if the stars aligned last night to give Senator Obama a three contest victory. He won the Primary races in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Senator Obama not only won these elections, but he won by large margins. His stump speech in Wisconsin was inspirational and the other candidates paled in comparison. Senator Obama is proving to be the uniter of the Democratic party, attracting some Republican voters in those cross-over states with open Primaries; this has his opponents from the other party already preparing their negative attacks.

Last night's Democratic Primary results:
DC
Obama - 75%
Clinton - 24%

Maryland
Obama - 60%
Clinton - 37%

Virginia
Obama - 64%
Clinton - 35%

Senator Obama has won 8 consecutive contests and is in the lead with 1,059 pledged delegates to Senator Clinton's 956. According to CNN, Senator Obama won across most demographic groups. In Virginia and Maryland, Senator Obama won 60% of the female vote. This group had been supporting Senator Clinton in other Primary contests. It could be that there is a general shift toward Senator Obama or it could be just one of those phenomenon unique to this area. Either way, Senator Obama is proving to be a formidable candidate.

One thing is for sure, Senator Obama is successfully reaching a small group of Republicans. Some states allow for voters to cast votes in the other party's Primary election. This is proving beneficial to Senator Obama as he attracts unlikely supporters with his inclusive message to all Americans. There is much anecdotal evidence of Republicans crossing-over to support Senator Obama in open Primary contests.

Last night Senator Obama was in Wisconsin to begin campaigning there before next week's election. He gave one of his awe-inspiring speeches, again speaking of one America. He offered hope to those feeling disenfranchised. He took on the old Republican establishment, and challenged their justification of the Iraq war. Just after Senator Obama concluded his address, the cable networks cut to Senator McCain's speech.

While Senator Obama delivered hope to thousands of energized supporters, McCain took his stale message to mere hundreds. McCain was uninspired and looked old and tired. He had Senator John Warner standing behind him along with other elderly white men. The contrasts between the two images of Senator Obama and Senator McCain were very noticeable. McCain's flat speech and tiresome fear-mongering clearly represented what America is ready to leave behind -- the "old" establishment (pun intended). It appeared as if McCain was hardly moved by his own words. It sounded like the usual rhetoric, nothing new, only emptiness.

Although McCain hardly appeared capable of taking on a fall challenge, don't be fooled; Obama supporters should beware. If Senator Obama wins the Democratic Party nomination, attacks from the other side will begin. There was already a hint of that last night in Senator McCain's speech. His opponents are ready to call him weak and inexperienced in an effort to win the General election. They will use fear to their advantage just like President Bush did to win his second term. They are ready to suggest that with Senator Obama in The White House, America will not be safe.

The only way the Republican Party will win against Obama in November, is if they can be successful in getting enough voters to buy into their false attacks. President Bush just said, the other day, that Senator Obama spoke of embracing Ahmadinejad of Iran. Of course, Senator Obama never said that, but the Republican spin machine is already twisting his words. Don't buy it -- not one word of it. If you support Senator Obama now, stick with him if he gets to the General election. If you are not yet convinced, consider joining the movement. He will bring positive change to America. Yes we can!

This video on American-Iranian relations was posted yesterday at Huffington Post. It's a brief history of our two countries and shows how America actually derailed Democracy in Iran many decades ago.

America has a chance, at this point in history, to choose a President that can use diplomacy toward making peace, not just with Iran but with all American enemies. The candidate best likely to achieve peace through diplomacy is Senator Obama. Let's become the peacekeepers, not the aggressors. Elect Senator Obama.

Senator Barack Obama swept the weekend Caucuses and Primaries with wins in Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington, Maine and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Senator also took home a Grammy Award for a recording of his book "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream".

According to CNN, Senator Obama now has 986 pledged delegates to Senator Clinton's 924. Although Senator Obama has the lead with pledged delegates, Senator Clinton has a slight edge over her opponent when you figure in the super delegates; that score is Clinton with 1,148 to Obama's 1,121.

It's still anyone's race on the Democratic side but Senator Obama is expected to do well in the Potomac Primaries tomorrow which includes Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia. Here's to you Senator Obama. Good luck.

During Mitt Romney's concession speech to CPAC, Conservative Political Action Conference, he took a huge swipe at "activist judges" and those seeking gay rights.

He also was inducted into my Halls of Hypocrisy, by stating that "jihadists don't believe in human equality". That's very funny, because Mitt Romney and conservative Republicans don't either. How hypocritical.

Thank God he's dropping out. Buh, bye!

As being reported by both CNN and MSNBC news, Mitt Romney is dropping out of the Presidential race.

On the GOP side, this leaves two candidates, Senator John McCain and Mike Huckabee. It looks like Senator John McCain will eventually become the Republican nominee, however, it would be a frightening thought imagining the possibility of Mike Huckabee emerging, by some divine providence, and becoming our next President.

Either way, we need to mobilize and unite to defeat any possibility of Senator John McCain or Mike Huckabee from becoming our next President.

. . .Until the fat lady sings. The Primary race goes on for both the Democrats and the Republicans. Senator McCain appears to be the front-runner in the Republican race, while the Democrats continue to run neck and neck. Depending on who gets the Democratic nomination, the candidate will not only make the difference in claiming victory in the November election, but will also have the chance to bring America together to change our country's path. I believe this candidate should be Senator Obama.

Last night's Primary election was very exciting. Americans showed up to vote like they hadn't in decades. Voter turn-out was strong across the country. In Manchester, Connecticut for example, 70% of the registered voters showed up. These numbers are incredible. This morning the pundits are saying that a desire for change is what is being attributed to this Primary election's turn-out.

According to CNN, on the Democratic side, Senator Obama won the largest number of states, collecting 13 to Senator Clinton's 8; however, the delegate prize shapes things up a little differently. Although the delegate race is very close, Senator Clinton can claim victory for winning 825 to Senator Obama's 732. The state of New Mexico is still processing the state's election results, but as of this writing Senator Obama has a slight lead.

On the Republican side, Senator McCain won 9 states and the most delegates with 615. CNN also reports this morning that Romney comes in second place in both the number of states and the number of delegates, 7 and 268 respectively. Huckabee had a strong showing, perhaps given to him by divine providence, bringing home 5 states with 169 delegates.

It has been reported that the Primary elections being held over the next two weeks will tip in Senator Obama's favor. As we've seen this Primary season, however, the polls can be rather unreliable and both Senators Obama and Clinton are running an extremely tight race. It is still anyone's game.

There's one more point I'd like to make, the Republican base wants Senator Clinton to win the Democratic nomination. Why? Because she can and will mobilize Republicans like no one else can, regardless of party affiliation. She will bring them out in droves with the hope of defeating her. That's how strong their distain is for Senator Clinton.

Last night Ari Fleischer, former White House Press Secretary for the latest Bush administration, weighed in on CNN. Fleischer said that the Republicans pray every night that Senator Clinton gets the Democratic party nomination as this will mobilize their voters. This is being very clearly revealed to the Democrats. Statements like this have become more common lately and this is foreshadowing of what to expect if Senator Clinton becomes our next President. Not only do they think they can defeat her in November, but if unsuccessful, they would want nothing more than to destroy her.

Senator Obama does not have that built-in divisiveness. If Democrats want to win the November election and turn things around in our country, they need a candidate that can unite our people. It has been reported lately by Senator Obama's camp that he can and is attracting Republicans to his cause; if this is remotely true, then having Senator Obama as the Democratic nominee promises a much different course. The decision is up to us.

This message was issued to LGBT Americans last night by Hillary Clinton, concerning her commitment to LGBT civil rights.

As I have traveled around the country these past twelve months, what I sensed in my heart has been confirmed – America is embracing its LGBT sons and daughters with an acceptance and understanding as never before. On the campaign trail, a father of a gay son will ask about ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. A woman will ask why she can be discriminated against just because of who she is. Sometimes they wait furtively for the crowd to thin and then whisper their confidences in a soft voice and sometimes they stand up proudly at town meetings and want me to share my views on how I will help lead the change to assure that this country fulfills its promise to everyone.

Let me tell you what I have been telling voters across America. I am fully committed to the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans. For seven long years, the Bush Administration has tried to divide us - only seeing people who matter to them. It's been a government of the few, by the few, and for the few. And no community has been more invisible to this administration than the LGBT community.

I will change that. The best evidence of what I will do as President is what I have already done.

I am proud of my record as First Lady, as a U.S. Senator and as a candidate for President in working toward the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans.

I am proud that as Chair of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee in 2006, I worked closely with LBGT community to develop a smart strategy that defeated the Federal Marriage Amendment. I am proud of fighting the FMA as divisive wedge politics at its worst.

I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligation Act which would grant the same benefits (including health insurance) to domestic partners of federal employees that are currently offered to employees' legal spouses.

I am proud to have authored the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which expands access to vital treatment options for low-income individuals living with HIV, and fought to fully fund the Ryan White CARE Act.

I am proud that I hired a National Director of LGBT Outreach within a month of announcing my candidacy for President and to have openly gay and lesbian staffers serving at all levels of my campaign.

I am proud to have a National LGBT Steering Committee of over 130 that includes openly LGBT elected officials, Board members and opinion leaders on issues ranging from transgender rights, to HIV/AIDS, to "Don't Ask Don't Tell".

I am proud to have marched in Gay Pride parades as both First Lady and as Senator and to have spoken in front of so many LGBT audiences ranging from the Human Rights Campaign, Empire State Pride Agenda, the Hetrick Martin Institute, PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

I am proud to have fought Republican efforts to demonize and marginalize the LGBT community, and I will continue to do that as President.

We have so much work to do. When I am President, we will work together to make sure that all Americans in committed relationships have equal benefits and that nothing stands in the way of loving couples who want to adopt children in need. We're going to expand our federal hate crimes legislation and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and assure that they are both fully inclusive of all people. And finally, we will put an end to the failed policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice - the traits that define our men and women in uniform - have nothing to do with sexual orientation.

My father was a conservative Republican, who held very traditional views for much of his life. Yet in his last years, it was a gay couple who lived next door who provided much of the compassion and comfort he and my mother needed as he grew ill. And it was that same neighbor who held his hand as he died. If my father can move, America can move.

To each and every LGBT American, I say this. You have done so much to help this country understand your lives by simply being open and honest about who you are and living your lives with dignity. Thank you for your courage. It is time that we recognize your hard work. I know that this country is ready for changes in the law that reflect the evolution in our hearts.

America deserves a President who appeals to the best in each of us, not the worst; a President who values and respects all Americans and treats all Americans equally no matter who they are or who they love. I want to be that President. I want to be your President.