Saturday, March 29, 2008

The Encyclopedia Baracktannica Facebook Widget

via Slate - This is fantastic.

It's hard to imagine that Barack Obama would be as big of a phenomenon if his name were, say, Tom Smith. As numerous fans, detractors, reporters, and bloggers have demonstrated, it's a name that lends itself to neologisms—everything from Barackstar to Obamania to Omentum.

We present the unabridged Encyclopedia Baracktannica, a list of words that have been Obamafied by Slate. This is a widget, so you're welcome to add it to your site. To do so, click the "Get & Share" link below and choose a service. (Update, Feb. 19: Now it's also a Facebook application. Click here to add it your Facebook profile.)

Click the "more" button to generate random definitions from the Encyclopedia Baracktannica.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Nothing's Changed Pennsylvania TV ad

I don't take money from Oil Companies or Washingon Lobbyists. Nothing's Changed TV ad

Senator Bob Casey Endorses Obama Video

Obama Speech Video at Cooper Union

Video Barack Obama on The View Part 2

Video Barack Obama on The View

Barack Obama appears on "The View" today (taped yesterday), and below we present a chunk of the highlights of the interview:

* When Obama claims that his distant-cousin Brad Pitt got the better looking side of the gene pool, Barbara declares, "We thought you were very sexy looking"
* Obama tells Joy that he can withstand the Republican attack machine: "I'm skinny but I'm tough," he says
* Obama discusses Rev. Jeremiah Wright: "Had the Reverend not retired...then I wouldn't have felt comfortable staying there at the church"

Pennsyvania Senator Bob Casey endorses Barack Obama


















Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey endorsed Democrat Barack Obama on Friday, a move that could help the presidential candidate make inroads with white working-class voters dubbed "Casey Democrats" in the Keystone State.

Casey is a first-term senator and the son of a popular former governor of the state. Casey is Catholic and, like his father, is known for his opposition to abortion and support of gun rights. His support could help Obama make inroads among Catholic voters, who have preferred Clinton to Obama in earlier primaries and strongly favor her in Pennsylvania polls.

More HERE

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Bloomberg Aide Mentions Obama-Bloomberg Bid

















Aide Floats Obama Bloomberg Bid

Deputy Mayor Kevin Sheekey, who has spent many months (if not years) hinting about his boss's (Bloomberg) presidential ambitions, is still stirring the pot of rumors.

"Certainly you could joke that Obama's call was a fundraising call yesterday. The man [Bloomberg] has the ability to finance a campaign. I don't think that’s why you choose a vice president. I do think that people are going to be very concerned about the influence of special-interest money in this campaign going forward.

“I think it was a reasonably short call, you know, I was briefed. I was told they had a nice call and I spoke to the mayor after they had breakfast a few months ago. Back to Obama -- you were the one asking about an Obama ticket. I think the mayor is the ultimate swing voter. He is someone who the country is looking at to find out where they will go. He is one of the true independents in the country."

Obama Bloomberg Ticket - More Speculation


















As continually reported here: Bloomberg/A Jewish Running Mate would be Great!

from MSNBC's First Thoughts

A fall preview: Those who love the Veepstakes will enjoy today's Obama speech, not for the substance but for the person who will introduce him: Michael Bloomberg. While the mayor says he's not endorsing anyone (yet?), this is the second time Bloomberg has given Obama a high profile photo-op (remember the meeting at that diner a few months back?). As for Obama's economic speech, per the campaign, "Obama takes on special interests for housing/economic crisis; lays out principles for new regulatory framework." Obama, himself, previewed the speech on the plane yesterday. "I will be giving some, I will be outlining, my thoughts on the current state of the economy. How we got there and some very specific prescriptions, what helped trigger the financial crisis and the financial problems." But it will be the potential of Obama-Bloomberg that could be the most important take-away. In fact, considering that anti-Israel sentiments being expressed by the Rev. Wright in these newly circulating church bulletins (see Andrea Mitchell's reporting on TODAY below in the Obama section). A fortunate thing for Obama is at least these church bulletins aren't video. The idea of a Jewish running mate might end up making more and more sense for Obama as the summer wears on

Obama Economics Speech Video

CNN has a short clip HERE of Obama's speech today. Hopefully the full video will be up soon.

Obama Speaks in Greensboro

Mayor Bloomberg to introduce Obama on Thursday

Still have my hopes up for an Obama/Bloomberg Ticket! or at least an Endorsement

Video HERE

Mayor Bloomberg to introduce Obama on Thursday

by John McCormick

NEW YORK -- Before Sen. Barack Obama gives a major policy speech on the economy here Thursday morning, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to introduce the Illinois Democrat at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.

Obama's campaign stresses that it is not an endorsement. Just some friendly remarks for Obama, who had breakfast with the mayor when he was in New York City in November.

The Swamp will update with excerpts from Obama's speech when they are available.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Disturbing Poll - But Aren't They All?














via Gallup

If McCain vs. Obama, 28% of Clinton Backers Go for McCain
If McCain vs. Clinton, 19% of Obama backers go for McCain

PRINCETON, NJ -- A sizable proportion of Democrats would vote for John McCain next November if he is matched against the candidate they do not support for the Democratic nomination. This is particularly true for Hillary Clinton supporters, more than a quarter of whom currently say they would vote for McCain if Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee.

DJ Excel Featuring Pastor Manning, "That's What a Pimp Does"

A friend just sent this to me.

Because this pretty much defies commentary, we'll just offer some context. Pastor Manning is an obscenely racist preacher in Harlem who has been railing against Barack Obama in sermons for reasons that are hard to pick out through waves of vitriolic pulpit abuse. Something about his whiteness. Making it into a joke à la DJ Excel's cut is one of the best slaps back we can imagine. Listen to the stream below.

boomp3.com

Obradma - Obama and Brad Pitt Mashup

Brad Pitt and Barack Obama are distant cousins, in case you missed it. Now a blogger has had some photoshop fun with their faces. Hillary one here.

Obama Speaks From Virgin Islands

"Just trying to be left alone"

CNN Has Video HERE

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Obama Girl Returns, Tells Hillary to Quit

Barack Obama and Brad Pitt Cousins














via Huffington Post

BOSTON — This could make for one odd family reunion: Barack Obama is a distant cousin of actor Brad Pitt, and Hillary Rodham Clinton is related to Pitt's girlfriend, Angelina Jolie.

Researchers at the New England Historic Genealogical Society found some remarkable family connections for the three presidential candidates _ Democratic rivals Obama and Clinton, and Republican John McCain.

Obama and President Bush are 10th cousins, once removed, linked by Samuel Hinkley of Cape Cod, who died in 1662.

Pitt and Obama are ninth cousins, linked by Edwin Hickman, who died in Virginia in 1769. Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, declined to comment on the senator's ancestry.

MORE

Obama on Larry King Live











Obama was on Larry King Live a couple of days ago. I tried to add the video to Youtube but it was immediately removed. Here is some of the interview on CNN's website. You can download the free podcast video but can't post it on youtube? I don't understand....I guess CNN just wants the traffic. So why let me download the file? Strange

You can get the podcast version HERE or Watch it HERE

Obama Opens Large North Carolina Lead









Raleigh, N.C. –
After a week in which Barack Obama made several appearances in
North Carolina and confronted the controversy with his pastor by making a major speech
on race, he has expanded his lead in North Carolina to 21 points.

Obama leads Clinton 55-34 in the state. His gains were particularly strong in the
Triangle, the media market where his major speech on the war last week in Fayetteville
got the greatest amount of attention.

Obama also pulled within a 47-40 margin of Clinton with white voters after trailing
Clinton 56-30 last week, an indication that his speech on race in Philadelphia last week
may have earned him some points.

PDF with more info here

thanks B_

Obama's Puts Tax Returns Online










Looks like they had a good year.

Where are Hillary's?

Barack and Michelle Obama earned close to $1 million in 2006, paid more than $318,000 in taxes and got a $40,000 refund, according to the couple’s tax return released by the Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign on Tuesday.

The Obamas owed the government $277,000 after itemized deductions, which included $60,449 in mortgage interest and $60,307 in charitable contributions.

Obama's Tax Returns



Obama in the Virgin Islands










Obama chillin with a White Sox Hat and two cell phones in the Virgin Islands, in case you hadn't heard.

VIDEO HERE

I Want Barack

Twisted Sister's classic "I Want to Rock" remade as "I Want Barack"...

Barack "Hop Obama" The Beer















Sixpoint Craft Ales produce "Hop Obama" Ale.

Brewed in tribute to the inspiration that has been Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign. In keeping with the Illinois senator's unifying theme, the "Hop Obama" is an indefinable ale that doesn't adhere to traditional style guidelines. The 5.2% ABV creation contains five different kinds of European crystal malt and three different kinds of Pacific Northwest Hops. Combined with a Scottish yeast strain for fermentation.

Barack Obama the Beer

Beer Profile

Monday, March 24, 2008

Have Dinner with Barack Obama

In a video posted on Obama's website, he states that 4 lucky donors (this week) will have dinner with Barack at an undisclosed location. The campaign will fly you in and even pay for the dinner. $5 or $1000, who will the lucky four be?

Make a donation in any amount, even $5, between now and 11:59 pm EDT on Monday, March 31st, and you could join Barack and three other supporters for an intimate dinner for five.

Watch video and donate here.

4,000 American Deaths in Iraq - Obama's Statement















Click for larger Image
"It is with great sadness that we have reached another grim milestone in Iraq, with at least 4,000 of our finest Americans having been killed. Each death is a tragedy, and we honor every fallen American and send our thoughts and prayers to their families. It is past time to end this war that should never have been waged by bringing our troops home, and finally pushing Iraq's leaders to take responsibility for their future. As we do, we must serve the memory of all who have died as well as they served our country, by providing support for their families, caring for our troops and veterans, and upholding the American values which our fallen heroes exemplified through their service."

Obama Agrees To North Carolina Debate, Clinton Not Yet

WASHINGTON (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton has yet to say whether she'll debate Barack Obama next month in North Carolina.

Both candidates plan to participate in an ABC News debate on April 16th in Philadelphia. Obama also has agreed to a CBS-hosted debate April 19th in North Carolina. The Pennsylvania primary is scheduled for three days later, while North Carolina holds its primary two weeks after that.

A Clinton spokesman say the campaign is still working through the details. Howard Wolfson says he's "quite confident" there will be more debates.

Clinton ran a statewide television ad in Wisconsin before its February primary, challenging Obama to debate there, as she struggled to regain momentum after a string of Obama victories.

The two have debated 20 times during this campaign.

Obama Visits The View on Friday

AP - Democratic Sen. Barack Obama plans to chat with the women of ABC's "The View" on Friday, his first visit to the daytime talk show as a presidential candidate.

Gabbing with Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elizabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd is one way for Obama to make inroads with female voters. His rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, has held the edge with women, capturing 51 percent of the female vote to 45 percent for Obama, according to exit polls for The Associated Press of the competitive Democratic primaries.

Obama last visited "The View" in November 2004 when he promoted his memoir "Dreams from My Father," then in paperback.

"I am really looking forward to my return visit to sit down with the ladies of The View," said Senator Obama.

Bill Geddie, The View's executive producer, added: "Obviously this is a huge day for The View. This is a critical moment for Senator Obama, and we will be devoting most of the show to his interview." More Info

Gallup Poll - Obama Edges Clinton

Douglas Kmiec Endorses Obama

Writing in Slate, Doug Kmiec has endorsed Obama although he is Caruso Family Chair and Professor of Constitutional Law, Pepperdine University. He served as head of the Office of Legal Counsel (U.S. Assistant Attorney General) for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Former Dean of the law school at The Catholic University of America, Professor Kmiec was a member of the law faculty for nearly two decades at the University of Notre Dame.

"Today I endorse Barack Obama for president of the United States. I believe him to be a person of integrity, intelligence and genuine good will. I take him at his word that he wants to move the nation beyond its religious and racial divides and to return United States to that company of nations committed to human rights. " Read More

I Can Now Die Happy...and Politically Well-Connected.


I am the luckiest Obama super fan ever. Last Wednesday, I experienced every liberal's wet dream...meeting, speaking with, and yes even TOUCHING the man himself. Barack was in my hometown of Charlotte for the day giving a public stump speech which I could not attend. Obviously I was crushed but then came the opportunity of a lifetime: I was invited to a private dinner being given for him by Bob Perkowitz (president and founder of ecoAmerica, an environmental consumer research and marketing firm). Don't ask me how I got invited to this very hush, hush affair; my well-crafted skills at social climbing are not something that can be taught. Actually, I just happen to lucky enough to have gone to high school with Barack's right hand man, Mr. Reggie Love...you know, the guy you always see in the corner of pictures behind Barack in the newspaper? Yup, that's him.

So my friend and I show up to the event, being held at Perkowitz's private residence in a very large and maybe not so eco-friendly home in an upper-crust neighborhood of the city. We valet the car, check in and get our personalized name tags (I kept mine like a Guns 'n Roses fan would keep the water bottle Axl threw at her from the stage). Then a truly exciting political moment: Getting the shakedown from authentic Secret Service agents. I never knew how exciting it could be to get frisked by two dudes in matching crew neck sweaters.

Finally, we went inside and I realized just how lucky I was. Your average person there was 54 and probably made more in one banking quarter than I will over the next twenty years. And yet there I was. They all looked at me like they assumed I was the daughter of someone important or a perhaps a member of the campaign team. I guess what shocked me was the realization that all of these people were die-hard Obama supporters. How could that be? They looked so...Republican. I quickly decided to go off on my own to raise the chances of getting a good spot in the living room where Obama was going to be making his speech. While waiters skirted around with champagne and glasses of wine, Obama quietly came into the room and gave his speech (details of the specifics to follow).

As the speech was winding down, Reggie asked if I would like to meet "Mr. Obama". Oh no thanks I said, I'd rather not. Are you kidding me? I was told to wait outside by the door where his car would be waiting for him after the speech. I figured everyone got to meet him, there were only about 100 people at the event and I just assumed everyone would go to shake his hand quickly. I heard the speech end and a roar of applause and five minutes later he was being walked out of the house by his secret service detail, not doing a line of handshakes. Once outside, he stopped and looked at Reggie and said "Oh so this is your crew from high school Reggie?" My mind is basically blank except for one thing I keep repeating to myself over and over: Don't say any cuss words. Instead of coming up with some brilliant policy analysis or a witty joke about Hillary's PAC sponsored campaign, all I can think about is not using a four letter word in front of the next President of the United States. Fuck.

He approaches me and I'm not even kind of kidding, he INTRODUCES himself to me. In the next five minutes we talk about what I'm doing, what college I went to, my travels abroad in Nepal and Southeast Asia (SE Asia is one of his favorite areas in the world he says), and proceeds to tell me that I look eighteen years old (uhh, thanks?). He then thanks us for coming and tells us how much hope we give him to see young voters being politically active. Swoon. I give Barack hope. I am the reason Barack wakes up every morning. Barack hearts Hayley.

A special thanks to Kelly Futrelle and Reggie Love for making this meeting of the minds possible!

...More details on the speech to come!

Obama Charlotte Speech