Politics of Racism, 1903, 1968, 1988, 2009

I collect political memorabilia. As I looked through my junk last night I realized how much we have changed.

I have a George Wallace neck tie from his 1968 run at the Presidency. It is a thin white tie with bold red letters horizontally positioned that reads Wallace ’68. Twenty years ago I attached a campaign button to the Wallace tie – it reads Jesse Jackson ’88.

The Barack Obama Fan Club

Barack Obama has a fan club.  The fans own the club.  They are the club.  Without the fans there would be no club.  The Barack Obama Fan Club is inclusive, anyone who wants to join is welcome.  And no one knows this better than Barack Obama.  Obama defined the rules before the Fan Club was […]

Barack and Michelle – Happy Together

Senator Obama, To Sir With Love

Senator Obama, Thank you.  You have brought a sense of hope to this country, nay – to this world.  It seems so long since we felt hope. On  September 11, 2001, the rooster crowed.  A new age was upon us but the world was slow to awaken.  Stumbling in the early morning darkness we knocked […]

Obama and the Christian Right

The conservative media and christian right refers to “The Liberal Blogosphere” and the “Liberal Media” and the “Liberal Internet.”  We looked around the internet and found these clips attacking Obama.  According to these folks Obama is anti-christian, the anti-Christ, a Muslim, and anything else they can think of. This writer believes the Bible is not […]

Video – Kennedys endorse Obama, from MSNBC

Son, I could not capture the power of the news conference today. My earlier post has some of the quotes from the Kennedys – but the written word cannot capture their presence. We can all have hopes for the future of America. Hopes for Social Justice, for health care, for education, for peace, for prosperity, […]

Al Gore in Obama Administration

What role might Al Gore play in the upcoming Barack Obama Presidential Administration. Here is a good discussion on MSNBC:

Declaring Independence from Politics as Usual

Son, This is truly an exciting election.  I have said Revolution, and the numbers continue to support that conclusion.  Wisconsin is important.  This state represents a string of victories for Barack Obama – with a two week break before the next big primaries in Texas and Ohio.  But are there any other demographic changes from […]

Maria Shriver Endorses Obama

Son, I am shocked – but not surprised. Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger, the First Lady of California, married to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is endorsing Barack Obama. She appeared in California today with Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Caroline Kennedy in a shocking and surprising presentation. Maria Shriver is the daughter of Sargeant Shriver – a get […]

Obama is shaping the national debate

Son, Giuliani was on television tonight – talking about the need to overcome the idea of red states and blues states, noting that we have to be united. Romney is on right now – talking about a new generation of problems.  New technologies and new competitors on the world market.  “We must leave our children […]

Video comparing Obama to Robert Kennedy

Son, The excitement of hope has returned to America. I was 18 and eligible for the draft when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. An entire generation of Americans was devastated. I remember the sense of loss, loss of hope, loss of dreams. Today I believe there are better days ahead. [wp_youtube]H6xyhBMMFlY[/wp_youtube] Dad

Kennedys endorse Obama – so what?

Son, There is an old axiom in local politics, “When someone or some group endorses you, you get all of their enemies and none of their friends.”  Is this true?  What can an endorsement by Ted Kennedy add to Mr. Obama’s candidacy. This is important on a couple of notes.  Senator Kennedy has as many […]

Obama speech in South Carolina.

Son, I was able to capture some of Obama’s words. There is no way I could capture the power. Mr. Obama has the oratory skills of Abraham Lincoln. The depth of his intellect is inspiring – This man is the real deal. Here is some of what he said: “Where we are met with cynicism […]

Obama Iowa Victory Speech

Son, Obama is an orator of Lincoln proportions.  Cameras love some politicians, the microphone loves Barack Obama.  Attached here is the speech Mr. Obama gave after his victory in Iowa. [wp_youtube]yqoFwZUp5vc[/wp_youtube] Dad

Obama Wins South Carolina- AP says Rout!

Son, This is a big day in American Politics. Barack Obama has won the South Carolina Democratic Primary. The Associated Press is calling this victory a rout. The white vote split three ways with Obama, Clinton, and Edwards. What can this mean? Obama continues to show strength. He seemed to lose some steam after Iowa […]

Race is perception – why it matters in politics

Son, I am a baby boomer – that generation of people that outnumber the rest of you folks. We grew up with civil rights and anti-war protesting and counter culture movements. Today we are skeptical about those who wish to claim the mantle of leadership for cultural change. Race is always important. We loved Martin […]

Meet the Press – Jan 20, 2008, on Obama

Son, Meet the Press has finally come around to having real journalist participating – rather than have Tim Russert looking for sound bites. This is actually a good discussion on the candidacy of Obama. [wp_youtube]wX7kTBqqpr0[/wp_youtube] Dad

The Nevada Debate, 1-15-08, Domestic Issues

Son, The final section of the debate is on domestic issues – but the first question is on support of the military at college and universities and whether ROTC should be offered and military recruiters should be allowed on campus. Clinton says “Yes, they should allow recruiters and not do anything to disrespect the military.” […]

Nevada Democratic Debate, 1-15-08, beyond race

Son, The debate continues after addressing the issues of race.  Brian Williams, Tim Russert, and Natalie Morallis are the moderators. To Edwards – What  is a white male to do running against these candidacies. Edwards – “This says really good things about America.” Williams do you regret saying that Hillary is likable enough?  Obama, “Yes, […]

Tim Russert plays the gender card

Son, Tim Russert was ‘interviewing’ Hillary Clinton on Meet the Press this morning.  His line of questioning suggested his chauvinism rests just under the surface.  Russert asked of Hillary, “What was the moment of greatest adversity for you?”   Hillary’s answer, “We all know the answer to that.” Yes we do – and so did Russert.  […]

Political endorsement, any value?

Son, There is an old axiom in local politics, “When someone or some group endorses you, you get all of their enemies and none of their friends.” Who knows?  We do know that politicians actively seek endorsements. Readers – what do you think – are endorsements valuable? Dad

Take That! Al Sharpton

Son, I am so tickled at Obama’s success. He has demonstrated that Black leaders are not just loud mouthed buffoons with a shallow and selfish agenda. Of course, I am speaking of Al Sharpton.  Barack Obam is a poke in Al Sharpton’s bigoted eye. Even setting Imus aside, Sharpton runs around the country, as he […]

Bambi Obama

Son, Barack Obama has been anointed. Personally I am happy for him and for our country. But when a super star rises and the people rally – objective politics is endangered. Who wants to shoot Bambi? Dad An afterthought – I wrote the above post with on a whim. It had already been posted when […]

Obama Rising

Son, Success is often dependent on understanding environment, on understanding culture, being willing to take a chance, and having a little patience.  Success requires paying attention and being nurturing.  Success requires purposeful deliberation. Barack Obama has these qualities. A good chef knows that his product is dependent on all of these qualities.  So does a […]

NH Political Predictions of Ohg Rea Tone

Son, Some processes are all about momentum.  Momentum is not arbitrary – there are roots of rationale.  There is cause and purpose.  The forces at play in breaking the sled loose continue to propel – mass in motion is difficult to stop.  The block of votes gained in Iowa have gravitational pull that directly correlates […]