*** Official Barack Obama FBG campaign headquarters *** (2 Viewers)

[NorvilleBarnes]

Clinton seeks to go after Obama superdelegates

LINK

RAPID CITY, S.D. - As Barack Obama turns to concentrate on his general election challenge, his rival Hillary Rodham Clinton is mounting a last ditch campaign to stay relevant in what is left of the Democratic presidential contest.

The former first lady enters this week with an insurgent strategy not only to win over undecided superdelegates but to peel away Obama's support from those party leaders and elected officials who already have committed to back him for the nomination.

"One thing about superdelegates is that they can change their minds," she told reporters aboard her campaign plane Sunday night.

But Clinton argues she now leads in the popular vote — a debatable point given that she relies on Michigan and Florida outcomes. None of the candidates campaigned in either state and Obama received no votes in Michigan because he removed his name from the ballot. Clinton also continues to present herself as better able to confront McCain in the fall.

She and her campaign's national chairman, Terry McAuliffe, made it clear that Obama's supporters were now fair to pluck with those arguments.

Clinton invited Virgin Islands superdelegate Kevin Rodriguez, a recent convert, to travel with her to South Dakota where she planned to campaign Monday. Rodriguez had initially supported Clinton, switched to Obama, and recently returned to her camp.

"This has been such an intense process," she said, "I don't think there has been a lot of time for reflection. It's only now that we're finishing these contests that people are going to actually reflect on who is our stronger candidate."

Asked Monday on CBS' "The Early Show" if Clinton would take her campaign to the convention, McAuliffe said again they "would keep all of their options open."

 

[saintfool]

question 1 - what are the odds that this michelle obama "whitey" tape is true?

question 2 - is this going to be typical of what discussions of politics and race are going to like in the post-civil rights era? obama is post-civil rights and has come of age through successive political movements for black america. i almost expect these kinds of comments, this kind of dissatisfaction from black leaders as we've moved through black nationalism/power, afro-centricism and the like. if future black leaders came of age in spike lee and hip-hop america, what can we expect? is this the future of black political leadership in america?

 

[djcolts]

Sources: Most uncommitted senators to endorse Obama

Posted: 11:20 AM ET

Most of the 17 senators who remain uncommitted will announce their support of Obama, CNN has learned.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Most of the seventeen Democratic senators who have remained uncommitted throughout the primaries will endorse Barack Obama for president this week, CNN has learned.

Sources familiar with discussions between Obama supporters and these senators tell CNN’s Gloria Borger that the senators will wait until after the South Dakota and Montana primaries to announce their support for Obama.

Two sources familiar with the sessions said the endorsements will come sometime later this week.

Obama supporters have been “pressing” for these superdelegates to endorse earlier in the week, but according to one source, “the senators don’t want to pound Hillary Clinton, and there is a sense she should be given a grace period.”

A series of meetings on the topic have been facilitated at different times by Illinois Sen. **** Durbin, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin. Durbin and Daschle are Obama supporters, while Harkin is uncommitted.

According to CNN’s Candy Crowley, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will remain uncommitted until Clinton officially drops out of the race.

 

[urbanhack]

question 1 - what are the odds that this michelle obama "whitey" tape is true?

question 2 - is this going to be typical of what discussions of politics and race are going to like in the post-civil rights era? obama is post-civil rights and has come of age through successive political movements for black america. i almost expect these kinds of comments, this kind of dissatisfaction from black leaders as we've moved through black nationalism/power, afro-centricism and the like. if future black leaders came of age in spike lee and hip-hop america, what can we expect? is this the future of black political leadership in america?

Here is the way I understand it.The tapes are of her saying "Why'd he...." talking about Bush and this administration. The freaks are trying to spin it to mean she actually says "whitey."

http://www.geocities.com/alcus2/whiteyinthesoup.jpg

 

[Yankee23Fan]

From Reuters:

During a fund-raiser in Denver, Obama -- a former constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago Law School -- was asked what he hoped to accomplish during his first 100 days in office.

"I would call my attorney general in and review every single executive order issued by George Bush and overturn those laws or executive decisions that I feel violate the constitution," said Obama.

Have we ever had a Con Law professor as President before?

James Madison wrote the thing pretty much.

 

[flufhed]

From Jack Tapper at ABC news. link

Ickes Sees "Perversion" at the DNC Meeting

May 31, 2008 3:46 PM

Harold Ickes, a senior adviser to the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., took issue just now with any notion that the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is conceding anything by agreeing to a proposal being floated to seat the full Florida delegation with each delegate getting half a vote -- thus netting Clinton 19 pledged delegates.

"Concession?" said Ickes. "Gimme a break. Under their formula, Hillary Clinton loses delegates, not gains delegates. It is just a perversion of the word to call that a concession."

At last year's DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting, Ickes was one of several Clinton supporters to vote to not recognize any delegates from either Florida or Michigan because the two states were about to violate party rules and hold their contests early. He has since changed his position on the matter.

- jpt

I wonder how he managed to get any sleep for that whole year, with the thought of all those disenfranchised voters weighing on his conscience?

 

[saintfool]

question 1 - what are the odds that this michelle obama "whitey" tape is true?

question 2 - is this going to be typical of what discussions of politics and race are going to like in the post-civil rights era? obama is post-civil rights and has come of age through successive political movements for black america. i almost expect these kinds of comments, this kind of dissatisfaction from black leaders as we've moved through black nationalism/power, afro-centricism and the like. if future black leaders came of age in spike lee and hip-hop america, what can we expect? is this the future of black political leadership in america?

Here is the way I understand it.The tapes are of her saying "Why'd he...." talking about Bush and this administration. The freaks are trying to spin it to mean she actually says "whitey."

http://www.geocities.com/alcus2/whiteyinthesoup.jpg

that's fine but i am more interested in thoughts about my second question. back in the day, politics of race were much more confrontational. saying "whitey" wouldn't necessarily elicit hue and cry. is the backlash from white america about trinity and even the hint of "Whitey" based in reality or media hyperbole? is it because we haven't heard it in a while?

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

question 1 - what are the odds that this michelle obama "whitey" tape is true?question 2 - is this going to be typical of what discussions of politics and race are going to like in the post-civil rights era? obama is post-civil rights and has come of age through successive political movements for black america. i almost expect these kinds of comments, this kind of dissatisfaction from black leaders as we've moved through black nationalism/power, afro-centricism and the like. if future black leaders came of age in spike lee and hip-hop america, what can we expect? is this the future of black political leadership in america?

Here is the way I understand it.The tapes are of her saying "Why'd he...." talking about Bush and this administration. The freaks are trying to spin it to mean she actually says "whitey."

Wait - these are rumors of AUDIO tapes?

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Sources: Most uncommitted senators to endorse Obama

Posted: 11:20 AM ET

Most of the 17 senators who remain uncommitted will announce their support of Obama, CNN has learned.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Most of the seventeen Democratic senators who have remained uncommitted throughout the primaries will endorse Barack Obama for president this week, CNN has learned.

Obama supporters have been “pressing” for these superdelegates to endorse earlier in the week, but according to one source, “the senators don’t want to pound Hillary Clinton, and there is a sense she should be given a grace period.”

 

[urbanhack]

question 1 - what are the odds that this michelle obama "whitey" tape is true?

question 2 - is this going to be typical of what discussions of politics and race are going to like in the post-civil rights era? obama is post-civil rights and has come of age through successive political movements for black america. i almost expect these kinds of comments, this kind of dissatisfaction from black leaders as we've moved through black nationalism/power, afro-centricism and the like. if future black leaders came of age in spike lee and hip-hop america, what can we expect? is this the future of black political leadership in america?

Here is the way I understand it.The tapes are of her saying "Why'd he...." talking about Bush and this administration. The freaks are trying to spin it to mean she actually says "whitey."

http://www.geocities.com/alcus2/whiteyinthesoup.jpg

that's fine but i am more interested in thoughts about my second question. back in the day, politics of race were much more confrontational. saying "whitey" wouldn't necessarily elicit hue and cry. is the backlash from white america about trinity and even the hint of "Whitey" based in reality or media hyperbole? is it because we haven't heard it in a while?

happy hour on the deck this week?

 

[saintfool]

question 1 - what are the odds that this michelle obama "whitey" tape is true?

question 2 - is this going to be typical of what discussions of politics and race are going to like in the post-civil rights era? obama is post-civil rights and has come of age through successive political movements for black america. i almost expect these kinds of comments, this kind of dissatisfaction from black leaders as we've moved through black nationalism/power, afro-centricism and the like. if future black leaders came of age in spike lee and hip-hop america, what can we expect? is this the future of black political leadership in america?

Here is the way I understand it.The tapes are of her saying "Why'd he...." talking about Bush and this administration. The freaks are trying to spin it to mean she actually says "whitey."

http://www.geocities.com/alcus2/whiteyinthesoup.jpg

that's fine but i am more interested in thoughts about my second question. back in the day, politics of race were much more confrontational. saying "whitey" wouldn't necessarily elicit hue and cry. is the backlash from white america about trinity and even the hint of "Whitey" based in reality or media hyperbole? is it because we haven't heard it in a while?

happy hour on the deck this week?

yeah, i'm game. totally.

 

[shining path]

Get a room, you two.

 

[saintfool]

Get a room, you two.

we'll be blogging live. not to worry.

 

[shining path]

Get a room, you two.

we'll be blogging live. not to worry.

Webcam?

 

[urbanhack]

Get a room, you two.

we'll be blogging live. not to worry.

Webcam?

Webcam + Webinar

 

[saintfool]

Get a room, you two.

we'll be blogging live. not to worry.

Webcam?

Webcam + Webinar

i was planning to take advantage of espn's omnipresent promotion of gotomeeting.com actually. simply "colin" in the space for a 30-day trial. afterwards, i was going to use proflowers.com with the code "miket"...

 

[Arsenal of Doom]

question 1 - what are the odds that this michelle obama "whitey" tape is true?

question 2 - is this going to be typical of what discussions of politics and race are going to like in the post-civil rights era? obama is post-civil rights and has come of age through successive political movements for black america. i almost expect these kinds of comments, this kind of dissatisfaction from black leaders as we've moved through black nationalism/power, afro-centricism and the like. if future black leaders came of age in spike lee and hip-hop america, what can we expect? is this the future of black political leadership in america?

Here is the way I understand it.The tapes are of her saying "Why'd he...." talking about Bush and this administration. The freaks are trying to spin it to mean she actually says "whitey."

http://www.geocities.com/alcus2/whiteyinthesoup.jpg

that's fine but i am more interested in thoughts about my second question. back in the day, politics of race were much more confrontational. saying "whitey" wouldn't necessarily elicit hue and cry. is the backlash from white america about trinity and even the hint of "Whitey" based in reality or media hyperbole? is it because we haven't heard it in a while?

I touched on this a little bit in this post from the latest Trinity thread. Basically, I think there are a couple of salient questions and how people answer those questions for themselves goes a long ways towards determining how they react to this stuff. The questions would be:

1. To what degree should the black community still harbor anger and/or frustration over their struggle for civil rights, and to what degree do they still suffer from discrimination in socio-economic terms?

2. Where is the line drawn between legitimate expression of those feelings, and over-the-top rhetoric amounting to reverse-racism?

The attitude that I seem to get from most of the people worked up about these stories is that everything is hunky-dory in terms of race if the black community would just shut up about it. If anything, they get more breaks now or at least more than other at the same economic status. This is my own interpretation and expression of other's thoughts, so I'm more than willing to be corrected and I'm not naming specific names.

As I mentioned in the other thread, I also think there is disconnect between expressions of frustration and anger as opposed to hatred. They aren't the same thing, as any parent should be able to instantly tell you.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

June 2, 2008

Bill Clinton: This could be the 'last day'

(CNN) — Could this be Bill Clinton's last day on the stump this campaign season? The former president seemed to signal that his time on the trail was drawing to a close at a campaign event in South Dakota Monday.

"This may be the last day I'm ever involved in a campaign of this kind," he said.

The comment comes one day before South Dakota and Michigan hold the primary season's final two contests. Barack Obama is expected to hold the advantage over Hillary Clinton in both states.

"I thought I was out of politics, until Hillary decided to run. But it has been one of the greatest honors of my life to go around and campaign for her for president," Clinton also said.

The comments seem to suggest the former president believes his wife's campaign is coming to a close, though she has given no signs she is ready to end her run.

Earlier Monday, a Clinton spokesman denied reports the campaign is cutting members of it's advance team. And on Sunday, Clinton launched an new ad stressing she is the winner of the popular vote. She also argued to reporters that the party's superdelegates have the right to change their mind until the party's convention in late August.

 

[GSteps]

Start spreading the news...

Posted: Monday, June 02, 2008 10:11 AM by Mark Murray

Filed Under: 2008, Clinton

From NBC's Mark Murray

It's official: The Clinton campaign has announced that Hillary will hold her Election Night celebration tomorrow night in New York City, at the Baruch College Athletic & Recreation Center.

*** UPDATE *** Just to clarify, this is the event Clinton will hold the night of the Montana and South Dakota primaries. Her campaign is billing it a "celebration."

Wow.. this is shocking, Clinton is going to give up after the last primaries? Who would have ever imagined!

Give up? No fn way. I'd be willing to bet she's going to declare victory.

I bet she will be in attendance.

...but I thought Father Pheleger was making stuff up?

 

[cosjobs]

I did not see this and thought it was interesting, pertaining to HOW Hillary needs to concede:

So, not because of her gender, but because of how she conducted the last phases of her campaign, Hillary Clinton needs to include the following in her speech bowing out, and also in subsequent comments and interviews:

1. She was treated fairly. This is the key message she needs to convey and do it convincingly. It is perfectly reasonable to indicate that she was mistreated, if that is how she feels, but she needs to state that candidates are always mistreated, that Barack Obama and the other Democratic candidates were as well, and that she was no more mistreated than any of the others. In response to the inevitable questions, \"didn\'t you say X, or Y\" just a week ago, her answer is that it is the nature of conflict that one picks their best points, but that is not the whole picture; and, that taken together, her campaign was treated as fairly, or as unfairly, as any of the others.

2. Her own mistakes in a close election led to her losing. Taking responsibility buttresses the message that it was not something unfair in the process that led to the ultimate outcome. It is not political suicide for her to admit the obvious, that having no plan B for after February 5, she lost 11 primaries in a row and, once that happened, anything she did to correct her errors were just too little, too late.

3. She herself will be fine. There is an enormous amount to do after the disastrous Bush presidency, and she intends to continue to contribute and to fight for the causes that are so important. She specifically cites the Supreme Court, and the negative impact on everything women have fought for, if John McCain gets to appoint more Alitos and Roberts, as he has sworn to the radical right that he will do. She needs to be concrete, and to repeat.

4. She believes the campaign showed that women can achieve anything, and that she was gratified that there was no pushback against the idea that a woman can be as good, or better, a Commander-in-Chief as a man. If a woman can be Commander-in-Chief, what job or position of authority can she not hold? She should repeat that John McCain promises, swears, to change the Supreme Court to nullify all the gains women have made, and that it would be a travesty if people sat home, or were unenthusiastic, just because she did not quite make the delegate majority.

5. She recognizes the rules the DNC adopted, many with her own people agreeing, made the outcome cloudy, but that she would not have won even if the delegates had been seated as she wanted. She further recognizes that her name recognition played a greater role in those votes in the absence of any campaigning than it would have if there had been a campaign.

6. She must not refer to the need, if there is one, to make a major changes in Party rules. To do so would be to undermine the message that, on the whole, the process was fair to all. If asked, as she inevitably will be, she should say that it is what it is, and the Party will have to determine what, if any, changes might be desirable in the future. She need not say, although it is true and would be helpful, that the Party rules were actually designed by her people to help her, frontloading the primaries that favor name recognition and financial prowess that, prior to this year, everyone believed would be her version of \'shock and awe\'.

7. She should leave all decisions (about vice-president, about convention speech time) to Barack Obama. She should not demand anything in return for bowing out, or her comments. It is her most dignified position, and it pays Barack the respect a Presidential nominee deserves. She should state specifically that she believes that she is not owed anything, and is happy to help the nominee in any way she can. And, that her supporters should be similarly accepting. To do otherwise would be to compromise Obama\'s prestige as the nominee even before the general election begins. [i would suggest, under those conditions, that Hillary be the keynote speaker at the convention.]

The above is not an attempt to write her speech. Clearly, there are many other elements that are personal to her, that talk about the positives of her campaign and about herself and her supporters that she would want to include.

But, if Hillary Clinton is to meet the standards her friend, Hilary Rosen, said she would do, then these 7 elements must be part of her speech and her post-campaign interviews at least between now and November.

It will determine whether Hillary Clinton is truly dedicated to victory of the movement she wanted to lead. While we all recognize her grit in pursuit of the ultimate prize, let us not ignore that it had, at least in part, a personal incentive for her.

To do what is necessary to heal, will be on behalf of her priorities, but not herself.

It is the ultimate test of her mettle.

evidently this is sourced from a friend of Hill's, but that part does not amtter to me. The content is dead nuts on.link

 

[Jeremy]

I did not see this and thought it was interesting, pertaining to HOW Hillary needs to concede:

So, not because of her gender, but because of how she conducted the last phases of her campaign, Hillary Clinton needs to include the following in her speech bowing out, and also in subsequent comments and interviews:

1. She was treated fairly. This is the key message she needs to convey and do it convincingly. It is perfectly reasonable to indicate that she was mistreated, if that is how she feels, but she needs to state that candidates are always mistreated, that Barack Obama and the other Democratic candidates were as well, and that she was no more mistreated than any of the others. In response to the inevitable questions, \"didn\'t you say X, or Y\" just a week ago, her answer is that it is the nature of conflict that one picks their best points, but that is not the whole picture; and, that taken together, her campaign was treated as fairly, or as unfairly, as any of the others.

2. Her own mistakes in a close election led to her losing. Taking responsibility buttresses the message that it was not something unfair in the process that led to the ultimate outcome. It is not political suicide for her to admit the obvious, that having no plan B for after February 5, she lost 11 primaries in a row and, once that happened, anything she did to correct her errors were just too little, too late.

3. She herself will be fine. There is an enormous amount to do after the disastrous Bush presidency, and she intends to continue to contribute and to fight for the causes that are so important. She specifically cites the Supreme Court, and the negative impact on everything women have fought for, if John McCain gets to appoint more Alitos and Roberts, as he has sworn to the radical right that he will do. She needs to be concrete, and to repeat.

4. She believes the campaign showed that women can achieve anything, and that she was gratified that there was no pushback against the idea that a woman can be as good, or better, a Commander-in-Chief as a man. If a woman can be Commander-in-Chief, what job or position of authority can she not hold? She should repeat that John McCain promises, swears, to change the Supreme Court to nullify all the gains women have made, and that it would be a travesty if people sat home, or were unenthusiastic, just because she did not quite make the delegate majority.

5. She recognizes the rules the DNC adopted, many with her own people agreeing, made the outcome cloudy, but that she would not have won even if the delegates had been seated as she wanted. She further recognizes that her name recognition played a greater role in those votes in the absence of any campaigning than it would have if there had been a campaign.

6. She must not refer to the need, if there is one, to make a major changes in Party rules. To do so would be to undermine the message that, on the whole, the process was fair to all. If asked, as she inevitably will be, she should say that it is what it is, and the Party will have to determine what, if any, changes might be desirable in the future. She need not say, although it is true and would be helpful, that the Party rules were actually designed by her people to help her, frontloading the primaries that favor name recognition and financial prowess that, prior to this year, everyone believed would be her version of \'shock and awe\'.

7. She should leave all decisions (about vice-president, about convention speech time) to Barack Obama. She should not demand anything in return for bowing out, or her comments. It is her most dignified position, and it pays Barack the respect a Presidential nominee deserves. She should state specifically that she believes that she is not owed anything, and is happy to help the nominee in any way she can. And, that her supporters should be similarly accepting. To do otherwise would be to compromise Obama\'s prestige as the nominee even before the general election begins. [i would suggest, under those conditions, that Hillary be the keynote speaker at the convention.]

The above is not an attempt to write her speech. Clearly, there are many other elements that are personal to her, that talk about the positives of her campaign and about herself and her supporters that she would want to include.

But, if Hillary Clinton is to meet the standards her friend, Hilary Rosen, said she would do, then these 7 elements must be part of her speech and her post-campaign interviews at least between now and November.

It will determine whether Hillary Clinton is truly dedicated to victory of the movement she wanted to lead. While we all recognize her grit in pursuit of the ultimate prize, let us not ignore that it had, at least in part, a personal incentive for her.

To do what is necessary to heal, will be on behalf of her priorities, but not herself.

It is the ultimate test of her mettle.

evidently this is sourced from a friend of Hill's, but that part does not amtter to me. The content is dead nuts on.link

Agreed, this would be a very good speech to give if indeed she is committed to a Democrat in the White House. But I can't see it happening. Way too much humility in there. And I don't think she'll say she was treated fairly. I'd fall out of my chair if she came through on point #2. Hopefully she hammers home the supreme court thing. She needs to remind them that there are costs for them satiating their desire for revenge.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn is endorsing Barack Obama for president

LINK

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

My simple question is this, can he win?

My guess is that Hillary will crush him. She's much more moderate and will have a greater appeal. Of course, you never know who votes in the primaries.

Feb seems so long ago.

 

[golddigger]

My simple question is this, can he win?

My guess is that Hillary will crush him. She's much more moderate and will have a greater appeal. Of course, you never know who votes in the primaries.

Feb seems so long ago.

Tomorrow HRC is meeting with all her top donors and supporters. Many think she is getting out of the race tomorrow.

 

[cobalt_27]

My simple question is this, can he win?

My guess is that Hillary will crush him. She's much more moderate and will have a greater appeal. Of course, you never know who votes in the primaries.

Feb seems so long ago.

Tomorrow HRC is meeting with all her top donors and supporters. Many think she is getting out of the race tomorrow.

I imagine an announcement will come Wednesday and not tomorrow. But, either way...I think it's a foregone conclusion that it'll be over very soon.

 

[Clayton Gray]

My simple question is this, can he win?

My guess is that Hillary will crush him. She's much more moderate and will have a greater appeal. Of course, you never know who votes in the primaries.

Feb seems so long ago.

In all fairness, that was Feb of 2007.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

My simple question is this, can he win?

My guess is that Hillary will crush him. She's much more moderate and will have a greater appeal. Of course, you never know who votes in the primaries.

Feb seems so long ago.

In all fairness, that was Feb of 2007.

Wasn't trying to be unfair. I was on board with the "Hillary will crush him" bandwagon. I was looking over npages 1 & 2 for something else and reminiscing over the early excitement - and doubts about him. Now we're on the verge of having him as the Dem nominee, and possibly

 

[Kumerica]

My simple question is this, can he win?

My guess is that Hillary will crush him. She's much more moderate and will have a greater appeal. Of course, you never know who votes in the primaries.

Feb seems so long ago.

Tomorrow HRC is meeting with all her top donors and supporters. Many think she is getting out of the race tomorrow.

Probably to announce an independent run . . .

 

[videoguy505]

My simple question is this, can he win?

My guess is that Hillary will crush him. She's much more moderate and will have a greater appeal. Of course, you never know who votes in the primaries.

Feb seems so long ago.

Tomorrow HRC is meeting with all her top donors and supporters. Many think she is getting out of the race tomorrow.

As soon as Obama agrees to pay off her debts for staying in the race.

 

[Gopher State]

McCain targets Obama for not going to IraqStory Highlights

McCain strongly criticizes Obama for not visiting Iraq in 2 years

McCain: Obama has "never seized the opportunity" to learn more on Iraq's conditions

(CNN) -- Sen. John McCain strongly criticized Sen. Barack Obama Wednesday for not visiting Iraq in more than two years and for turning down the Arizona senator's suggestion that the two should make a joint trip to the country.

"Sen. Obama has been to Iraq once -- a little over two years ago he went and he has never seized the opportunity except in a hearing to meet with Gen. [David] Petraeus," McCain said at a campaign event in Reno, Nevada. "My friends, this is about leadership and learning."

Again raising the issue of Obama's willingness to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, McCain also said of the Illinois senator, "He wants to sit down with the president of Iran but hasn't yet sat down with Gen. Petraeus, the leader of our troops in Iraq?"

Obama last visited Iraq in January, 2006 for a two-day tour of the country.

McCain's comments come the same day the Republican National Committee launched a clock on its Web site noting how many days it has been since Obama traveled to Iraq, and three days after his supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, suggested the presumed Republican nominee and Obama tour the country together.

McCain later said he agreed the Democratic presidential contender should accompany him on an upcoming trip, adding that he would "seize that opportunity to educate Sen. Obama along the way."

Obama spokesman Bill Burton declined the invitation and called the move a "political stunt."

"The American people don't want any more false promises of progress, they deserve a real debate about a war that has overstretched our military and cost us thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars without making us safer," he added.

Speaking Wednesday, McCain called those comments a "profound misunderstanding of what's happened in Iraq and what's at stake in Iraq."

"Because if we set a date of withdrawal as Sen. Obama wants to do, there will be chaos, there will be genocide, there will be increased Iranian influence there, and we will have to go back with further sacrifice of American blood and treasure."

Also Wednesday, Obama's campaign used former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan's new book attacking the Bush administration as a means to take a swipe at McCain, connecting what Obama called "the failed Bush policies" to McCain.

"It's not news that this administration engaged in spin and deception to lead us into a war that should've never been authorized and never been waged," Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan said.

"The only question now is do we continue George Bush's failed policy in Iraq or do we change it? John McCain is promising four more years of the exact same policy in Iraq that asks everything of our brave troops and nothing of the Iraqi government, while Barack Obama wants to begin a phased withdrawal of our troops and refocus our efforts on going after al-Qaeda in Afghanistan."

Asked for an on-camera response from Obama Wednesday, a senior aide refused.

Meanwhile, Sen. Hillary Clinton stepped up her efforts to convince potential voters and the party's superdelegates that she is a stronger general election candidate than Obama.

In a speech Tuesday night at a Montana campaign event, the New York senator suggested Obama is much more likely to lose to McCain in the fall.

"We have not gone through this exciting unprecedented historic election only to lose," Clinton said at an event in Billings, Montana.

"You have to ask yourself who is the stronger candidate?" she continued. "And based on every analysis of every bit of research and every poll that's been taken and every state that a Democrat has to win, I am the stronger candidate against John McCain in the fall." Watch more of Clinton's speech »

It was not immediately clear which polls and states Clinton was specifically referencing.

Recent polls out of the crucial swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida have indicated she has a better chance of beating McCain in those places than Obama. But Obama performs better in several other swing states that Democrats have historically had difficulty winning, such as New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado.

In a CNN general election national poll of polls out Wednesday, both Obama and Clinton lead McCain by two points: 46 percent to 44 percent.

The last general election poll of polls -- released May 15 -- showed Obama leading McCain by five points (48 percent to 43 percent) and Clinton leading McCain by four points (48 percent to 44 percent).

The national general election poll of polls consists of three surveys: Gallup (May 22-25/27), Newsweek (May 21-22) and Reuters/Zogby (May 15-18). The poll of polls does not have a sampling error.

Obama not visting Iraq for over TWO years is a major disappointment. How does he plan to end the war, when he doesn't have hands on knowledge on whats going on their.

Not meeting with the leader of our troops is a slap in the face of our troops serving overseas.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Not meeting with the leader of our troops is a slap in the face of our troops serving overseas.

You are full of ####.

 

[Spiderman]

Not meeting with the leader of our troops is a slap in the face of our troops serving overseas.

You are full of ####.

Why is it ridiculous to suggest that he meet with Petraeus ? Is it possible he's more concerned with keeping to his 2005 Democratic playbook on Iraq ?

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Not meeting with the leader of our troops is a slap in the face of our troops serving overseas.

You are full of ####.

Why is it ridiculous to suggest that he meet with Petraeus ?

That's not ridiculous to suggest at all.

 

[cobalt_27]

Not meeting with the leader of our troops is a slap in the face of our troops serving overseas.

You are full of ####.

Why is it ridiculous to suggest that he meet with Petraeus ? Is it possible he's more concerned with keeping to his 2005 Democratic playbook on Iraq ?

Doesn't sound like the "you are full of ####" remark had anything to do with meeting Petraeus. I think it was more in reference to the claim that it's necessarily a slap in the face of our troops that Obama hasn't been there in a couple of years.

 

[DPRugby]

My simple question is this, can he win?

My guess is that Hillary will crush him. She's much more moderate and will have a greater appeal. Of course, you never know who votes in the primaries.

Feb seems so long ago.

In all fairness, that was Feb of 2007.

Wasn't trying to be unfair. I was on board with the "Hillary will crush him" bandwagon. I was looking over npages 1 & 2 for something else and reminiscing over the early excitement - and doubts about him. Now we're on the verge of having him as the Dem nominee, and possibly

What's really cool about this is that when I heard he might become a candidate long ago I thought way back to the DNC convention when Kerry was nominated and I thought about what a great speaker he was and how intense his passion was. Since the whispers of him running began, I have been cautious but hopefull. Here I am, a former Marine, conservative Republican, less taxes, smaller government type person looking at Obama, knowing he stands for things I don't stand for but still... he gives me hope for America. That we can once again become the nation all others look up to as an example of how to govern, not as a punchline. Hope I haven;t felt since Regan. I may not like the taxes I get to pay over the next 4-8 years but I'm going to be damn proud to say Barack Obama is my President. It's time America. Obama 08'

 

[skol asylum]

McCain targets Obama for not going to IraqStory Highlights

McCain strongly criticizes Obama for not visiting Iraq in 2 years

McCain: Obama has "never seized the opportunity" to learn more on Iraq's conditions

(CNN) -- Sen. John McCain strongly criticized Sen. Barack Obama Wednesday for not visiting Iraq in more than two years and for turning down the Arizona senator's suggestion that the two should make a joint trip to the country.

"Sen. Obama has been to Iraq once -- a little over two years ago he went and he has never seized the opportunity except in a hearing to meet with Gen. [David] Petraeus," McCain said at a campaign event in Reno, Nevada. "My friends, this is about leadership and learning."

Again raising the issue of Obama's willingness to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, McCain also said of the Illinois senator, "He wants to sit down with the president of Iran but hasn't yet sat down with Gen. Petraeus, the leader of our troops in Iraq?"

Obama last visited Iraq in January, 2006 for a two-day tour of the country.

McCain's comments come the same day the Republican National Committee launched a clock on its Web site noting how many days it has been since Obama traveled to Iraq, and three days after his supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, suggested the presumed Republican nominee and Obama tour the country together.

McCain later said he agreed the Democratic presidential contender should accompany him on an upcoming trip, adding that he would "seize that opportunity to educate Sen. Obama along the way."

Obama spokesman Bill Burton declined the invitation and called the move a "political stunt."

"The American people don't want any more false promises of progress, they deserve a real debate about a war that has overstretched our military and cost us thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars without making us safer," he added.

Speaking Wednesday, McCain called those comments a "profound misunderstanding of what's happened in Iraq and what's at stake in Iraq."

"Because if we set a date of withdrawal as Sen. Obama wants to do, there will be chaos, there will be genocide, there will be increased Iranian influence there, and we will have to go back with further sacrifice of American blood and treasure."

Also Wednesday, Obama's campaign used former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan's new book attacking the Bush administration as a means to take a swipe at McCain, connecting what Obama called "the failed Bush policies" to McCain.

"It's not news that this administration engaged in spin and deception to lead us into a war that should've never been authorized and never been waged," Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan said.

"The only question now is do we continue George Bush's failed policy in Iraq or do we change it? John McCain is promising four more years of the exact same policy in Iraq that asks everything of our brave troops and nothing of the Iraqi government, while Barack Obama wants to begin a phased withdrawal of our troops and refocus our efforts on going after al-Qaeda in Afghanistan."

Asked for an on-camera response from Obama Wednesday, a senior aide refused.

Meanwhile, Sen. Hillary Clinton stepped up her efforts to convince potential voters and the party's superdelegates that she is a stronger general election candidate than Obama.

In a speech Tuesday night at a Montana campaign event, the New York senator suggested Obama is much more likely to lose to McCain in the fall.

"We have not gone through this exciting unprecedented historic election only to lose," Clinton said at an event in Billings, Montana.

"You have to ask yourself who is the stronger candidate?" she continued. "And based on every analysis of every bit of research and every poll that's been taken and every state that a Democrat has to win, I am the stronger candidate against John McCain in the fall." Watch more of Clinton's speech »

It was not immediately clear which polls and states Clinton was specifically referencing.

Recent polls out of the crucial swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida have indicated she has a better chance of beating McCain in those places than Obama. But Obama performs better in several other swing states that Democrats have historically had difficulty winning, such as New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado.

In a CNN general election national poll of polls out Wednesday, both Obama and Clinton lead McCain by two points: 46 percent to 44 percent.

The last general election poll of polls -- released May 15 -- showed Obama leading McCain by five points (48 percent to 43 percent) and Clinton leading McCain by four points (48 percent to 44 percent).

The national general election poll of polls consists of three surveys: Gallup (May 22-25/27), Newsweek (May 21-22) and Reuters/Zogby (May 15-18). The poll of polls does not have a sampling error.

Obama not visting Iraq for over TWO years is a major disappointment. How does he plan to end the war, when he doesn't have hands on knowledge on whats going on their.

Not meeting with the leader of our troops is a slap in the face of our troops serving overseas.

Gallup: Americans favor President meeting with foreign leaders, even enemiesVisiting Iraq not necessarily a good way to get an understanding of the facts on the ground.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Not meeting with the leader of our troops is a slap in the face of our troops serving overseas.

You are full of ####.

Why is it ridiculous to suggest that he meet with Petraeus ?

Thats not ridiculous, to suggest "he meets with Patreus." But to say its a slap in the face of our troops is more anti-american name calling rhetoric.

 

[skol asylum]

I thought he was ignoring the General?

 

[tommyGunZ]

My simple question is this, can he win?

My guess is that Hillary will crush him. She's much more moderate and will have a greater appeal. Of course, you never know who votes in the primaries.

Feb seems so long ago.

In all fairness, that was Feb of 2007.

Wasn't trying to be unfair. I was on board with the "Hillary will crush him" bandwagon. I was looking over npages 1 & 2 for something else and reminiscing over the early excitement - and doubts about him. Now we're on the verge of having him as the Dem nominee, and possibly

What's really cool about this is that when I heard he might become a candidate long ago I thought way back to the DNC convention when Kerry was nominated and I thought about what a great speaker he was and how intense his passion was. Since the whispers of him running began, I have been cautious but hopefull. Here I am, a former Marine, conservative Republican, less taxes, smaller government type person looking at Obama, knowing he stands for things I don't stand for but still... he gives me hope for America. That we can once again become the nation all others look up to as an example of how to govern, not as a punchline. Hope I haven;t felt since Regan. I may not like the taxes I get to pay over the next 4-8 years but I'm going to be damn proud to say Barack Obama is my President. It's time America. Obama 08'

 

[Spiderman]

It is interesting to note that Obama publicly stated in late 2007 that no number of troops was going to change/stop the civil war that he believed was going on in Iraq, and then this weekend, to hear his top campaign advisors saying that nobody ever doubted that adding US troops to Iraq could help the situation there.Obama did.

 

[Orange Crush]

Two things:1) It is ridiculous for McCain to criticize Obama for not going to Iraq recently when Obama has been a little busy competing in primaries. McCain's had the time since he has been the presumptive nominee for three months. I'm sure Obama is going to go to Iraq soon, and has always planned on going to Iraq shortly after the primaries end, but McCain gets this jab in anyway.

2) Regarding your point, Spiderman. It is possible for Obama to believe both those statements. One would expect the surge to lower the levels of violence, yes. But the underlying ethnosectarian motives for violence can only be solved through a political solution. The only way troop levels could ultimately change that is if there were even more troops than we have there now, and a commitment to keep them there permanently. That's not feasible, and everyone (including the Iraqis) knows that.

 

[The Commish]

McCain targets Obama for not going to IraqStory HighlightsMcCain strongly criticizes Obama for not visiting Iraq in 2 yearsMcCain: Obama has "never seized the opportunity" to learn more on Iraq's conditions (CNN) -- Sen. John McCain strongly criticized Sen. Barack Obama Wednesday for not visiting Iraq in more than two years and for turning down the Arizona senator's suggestion that the two should make a joint trip to the country. "Sen. Obama has been to Iraq once -- a little over two years ago he went and he has never seized the opportunity except in a hearing to meet with Gen. [David] Petraeus," McCain said at a campaign event in Reno, Nevada. "My friends, this is about leadership and learning."Again raising the issue of Obama's willingness to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, McCain also said of the Illinois senator, "He wants to sit down with the president of Iran but hasn't yet sat down with Gen. Petraeus, the leader of our troops in Iraq?"Obama last visited Iraq in January, 2006 for a two-day tour of the country.McCain's comments come the same day the Republican National Committee launched a clock on its Web site noting how many days it has been since Obama traveled to Iraq, and three days after his supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, suggested the presumed Republican nominee and Obama tour the country together. McCain later said he agreed the Democratic presidential contender should accompany him on an upcoming trip, adding that he would "seize that opportunity to educate Sen. Obama along the way."Obama spokesman Bill Burton declined the invitation and called the move a "political stunt.""The American people don't want any more false promises of progress, they deserve a real debate about a war that has overstretched our military and cost us thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars without making us safer," he added.Speaking Wednesday, McCain called those comments a "profound misunderstanding of what's happened in Iraq and what's at stake in Iraq.""Because if we set a date of withdrawal as Sen. Obama wants to do, there will be chaos, there will be genocide, there will be increased Iranian influence there, and we will have to go back with further sacrifice of American blood and treasure."Also Wednesday, Obama's campaign used former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan's new book attacking the Bush administration as a means to take a swipe at McCain, connecting what Obama called "the failed Bush policies" to McCain."It's not news that this administration engaged in spin and deception to lead us into a war that should've never been authorized and never been waged," Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan said."The only question now is do we continue George Bush's failed policy in Iraq or do we change it? John McCain is promising four more years of the exact same policy in Iraq that asks everything of our brave troops and nothing of the Iraqi government, while Barack Obama wants to begin a phased withdrawal of our troops and refocus our efforts on going after al-Qaeda in Afghanistan."Asked for an on-camera response from Obama Wednesday, a senior aide refused.Meanwhile, Sen. Hillary Clinton stepped up her efforts to convince potential voters and the party's superdelegates that she is a stronger general election candidate than Obama.In a speech Tuesday night at a Montana campaign event, the New York senator suggested Obama is much more likely to lose to McCain in the fall."We have not gone through this exciting unprecedented historic election only to lose," Clinton said at an event in Billings, Montana."You have to ask yourself who is the stronger candidate?" she continued. "And based on every analysis of every bit of research and every poll that's been taken and every state that a Democrat has to win, I am the stronger candidate against John McCain in the fall." Watch more of Clinton's speech »It was not immediately clear which polls and states Clinton was specifically referencing.Recent polls out of the crucial swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida have indicated she has a better chance of beating McCain in those places than Obama. But Obama performs better in several other swing states that Democrats have historically had difficulty winning, such as New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado.In a CNN general election national poll of polls out Wednesday, both Obama and Clinton lead McCain by two points: 46 percent to 44 percent.The last general election poll of polls -- released May 15 -- showed Obama leading McCain by five points (48 percent to 43 percent) and Clinton leading McCain by four points (48 percent to 44 percent).The national general election poll of polls consists of three surveys: Gallup (May 22-25/27), Newsweek (May 21-22) and Reuters/Zogby (May 15-18). The poll of polls does not have a sampling error. Obama not visting Iraq for over TWO years is a major disappointment. How does he plan to end the war, when he doesn't have hands on knowledge on whats going on their.Not meeting with the leader of our troops is a slap in the face of our troops serving overseas.

If I were Obama, I'd be inviting McCain to take a trip around this country with him. It's clear by McCain's domestic "policy" he cares as much for the people here as he thinks Obama cares about the troops in Iraq. It's going to be interesting to see how McCain attacks Obama's ability to wash his hands of the vote for war in Iraq.

 

[Sweet J]

McCain's "right arm" in war on terror has never been to Iraq

Apropos of nothing.

John McCain has routinely touted his resoluteness in combating Islamic extremism. When Rudy Giuliani dropped out of the Republican primary and endorsed his former challenger, the Arizona Republican responded with due praise:

"I want to say I not only thank him for his friendship, I want to thank him for his leadership of America," McCain said of the former New York City mayor. "I believe that my life has prepared me, the life of service and dedication, to lead this nation in the transcendent challenge of the 21st Century: the great threat and evil of radical Islamic extremism which threatens everything we stand for and believe in. And my strong right arm and my partner and friend in this effort will be the former mayor of New York City, an American hero, Rudy Giuliani. I'm deeply honored."

But for someone who would be the "strong right arm" -- the war on terror consigliore so to speak -- in a theoretical McCain administration, Giuliani lacks what McCain today insists is an essential resume filler for any world leader. He's never visited Iraq.

That being said, Obama HAS been to Iraq.

"I talked to Senator Obama when he visited in 2006. He did something that was quite interesting: after a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone, he sat down with reporters after for a private, off the record conversation. It was his idea. He asked us: Okay, what's really going on here? What followed was a pretty candid discussion among the press and BHO.

Also, "going to Iraq" doesn't really mean anything:

Indeed, in the Senate, some of the most outspoken critics of the Iraq war, and some of the most fervent advocates for the withdrawal of combat forces, are individuals who have visited the country most regularly. As of July 2007, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island had gone to Iraq more than ten times, according to a tally by The Hill newspaper. Joseph Biden, meanwhile, had visited seven, while Sen. John Warner, one of several Republican critics of the Bush war policy, had visited nine times.

On the flip side are several war supporters who have been to Iraq just as infrequently as Obama. Sen. Judd Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican, has traveled to the country just once, as has Alaska Republican Lisa Murkoswki. Others, like Sens. Lamar Alexander, Mike Enzi, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, and Mel Martinez, have recently made second trips.

Unless, of course, you go to Iraq and then misrepresent about your experience there. Like, say, you talk about how Bagdad is safer than the United States, even though you have to wear a flack-jacket and an armored security detail just to walk through a market. You guys are friggen ridiculous.

 

[adonis]

"Help the situation" does not equal "stop the civil war". Obama was saying there's no doubt that adding lots of troops can reduce the violence to some degree, there's no doubt of that, but will it end the fighting between factions, between ethnic groups? No. That's what he said, and it was as true when he said it as it is today. The solution we need is a political one, and generals up and down the line have said that this war cannot be won by using force. HTH.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

My simple question is this, can he win?

My guess is that Hillary will crush him. She's much more moderate and will have a greater appeal. Of course, you never know who votes in the primaries.

Feb seems so long ago.

In all fairness, that was Feb of 2007.

Wasn't trying to be unfair. I was on board with the "Hillary will crush him" bandwagon. I was looking over npages 1 & 2 for something else and reminiscing over the early excitement - and doubts about him. Now we're on the verge of having him as the Dem nominee, and possibly

What's really cool about this is that when I heard he might become a candidate long ago I thought way back to the DNC convention when Kerry was nominated and I thought about what a great speaker he was and how intense his passion was. Since the whispers of him running began, I have been cautious but hopefull. Here I am, a former Marine, conservative Republican, less taxes, smaller government type person looking at Obama, knowing he stands for things I don't stand for but still... he gives me hope for America. That we can once again become the nation all others look up to as an example of how to govern, not as a punchline. Hope I haven;t felt since Regan. I may not like the taxes I get to pay over the next 4-8 years but I'm going to be damn proud to say Barack Obama is my President. It's time America. Obama 08'

 

[cobalt_27]

What's really cool about this is that when I heard he might become a candidate long ago I thought way back to the DNC convention when Kerry was nominated and I thought about what a great speaker he was and how intense his passion was. Since the whispers of him running began, I have been cautious but hopefull. Here I am, a former Marine, conservative Republican, less taxes, smaller government type person looking at Obama, knowing he stands for things I don't stand for but still... he gives me hope for America. That we can once again become the nation all others look up to as an example of how to govern, not as a punchline. Hope I haven;t felt since Regan. I may not like the taxes I get to pay over the next 4-8 years but I'm going to be damn proud to say Barack Obama is my President. It's time America. Obama 08'

I'm with you (well, not the Marine part, but everything else). So many folks like us out there. Not GOP by religion, but by fiscal ideological bias, usually. I've put much of that aside because Obama is a brilliant and thoughtful intellect who, I believe, will restore some pride again into this office that Bush dismantled. McCain is too close of an extension to the Bush presidency (not the same, but too close, ideologically).And, to think that he could win the (D) nomination as a black man and with Hillary the presumptive winner before this ever got started. Even Harold Ickes was on the other day shaking his head, recalling how this was not how they game-planned it...and, it's over. The start of a new day.

 

[djcolts]

Breaking news:

Hillary to recognize Obama nomination

Posted: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 10:55 AM by Mark Murray

Filed Under: 2008, Clinton, Obama, Delegates

From NBC's Mark Murray

Breaking news from the AP: "Officials say Clinton will acknowledge Tuesday

night Obama has the delegates for the nomination."

 

[Yankee23Fan]

So, seriously. My choice is really between McCain, Obama and Barr? Really? You guys aren't pulling my leg here for all the Israel threads? I'd be willing to wear a dunce cap or something if you give me the list of the real nominees.......

 

[Kiddnets]

My simple question is this, can he win?

My guess is that Hillary will crush him. She's much more moderate and will have a greater appeal. Of course, you never know who votes in the primaries.

Feb seems so long ago.

In all fairness, that was Feb of 2007.

Wasn't trying to be unfair. I was on board with the "Hillary will crush him" bandwagon. I was looking over npages 1 & 2 for something else and reminiscing over the early excitement - and doubts about him. Now we're on the verge of having him as the Dem nominee, and possibly

What's really cool about this is that when I heard he might become a candidate long ago I thought way back to the DNC convention when Kerry was nominated and I thought about what a great speaker he was and how intense his passion was. Since the whispers of him running began, I have been cautious but hopefull. Here I am, a former Marine, conservative Republican, less taxes, smaller government type person looking at Obama, knowing he stands for things I don't stand for but still... he gives me hope for America. That we can once again become the nation all others look up to as an example of how to govern, not as a punchline. Hope I haven;t felt since Regan. I may not like the taxes I get to pay over the next 4-8 years but I'm going to be damn proud to say Barack Obama is my President. It's time America. Obama 08'

I am with you - I dont love everything about Obama - but I think he is the one to repair our image in the world and take on some of these problems - it will likely get worse before it gets better but its a start. I actually liked McCAin but he is sounding way to Bushie and at the end of the day all the Hill supporters will wake up and vote for Obama.

 

[adonis]

So, seriously. My choice is really between McCain, Obama and Barr? Really? You guys aren't pulling my leg here for all the Israel threads? I'd be willing to wear a dunce cap or something if you give me the list of the real nominees.......

I know...since Obama's on the ticket, there's not really a choice is there. Obama all the way.