It's Time for Me to Make My Call: Obama Wraps it Up in February & More

[David Zephyr]

Obama is going to win South Carolina in a very, very big way.

Obama will take Nevada as well.

And after those victories, Jimmy Carter will endorse Obama.

And then comes the bomb: Al Gore will endorse Obama right before the California Primary.

After that, it's Obama's nomination at the Convention.

Bookmark this thread.

[Bicoastal]

1. I THINK you're biased...

..but here's hoping you're right.

[stray cat]

2. absolutely right unless something else happens

and then its wrong

[ElizabethDC]

9. You have that exactly right.

:)

[dogman]

3. Don't bogart that joint my friend.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. I'm looking forward to all the smears.

Jimmy Carter is a peanut farming redneck who hates black people...

Al Gore is a boring robot who feasts on endangered chilean sea bass...

[Cha]

48. I'm not reading anything

by bots but I'm guessing that Ned Lamont, Tim Johnson, and John Kerry are persona non grata around here?

[David Zephyr]

62. The endorsements are coming in tidal waves now, zidzi.

I just wanted to say "hi" to you and give you a hug.

:hi: :hug:

[Cha]

66. You're too kind, David!

:hug: I wanted to get back on DU after my Dell tech support session to say I got an email from Obama(me and many thousands of others) that said..

Well, I'll just bring on..

z

Something unexpected happened the day after the New Hampshire primary.

More than 20,000 people donated to our campaign online. That's the most ever in a single day.

In the first nine days of 2008, more than 75,000 donors gave online, and at least half of them had never given before. Just like we saw in Iowa and New Hampshire, in record numbers, our time for change has come.

Those new donors decided to step up and own a piece of this campaign right now, at this pivotal moment in history. Now, we're within striking distance of an almost unimaginable goal:

100,000 donors before the Nevada caucuses on January 19th.

This is the most decisive period of our campaign -- we need to act immediately if we are going to compete as strongly as possible in the 24 states that are holding primaries and caucuses in the next four weeks.

I need you to step up and help us compete.

This is so important that one of the people who gave in the last nine days is ready to give again to match your first online donation -- but only if you make it right now.

Make a donation of $50 today and take advantage of this opportunity to double your impact:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

Today, I am in South Carolina with my good friend, Senator John Kerry.

Our organization here is building up very quickly thanks to grassroots supporters like you. Senator Kerry endorsed our campaign at an event this morning, and the energy and excitement was just like what we were feeling in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Tomorrow, I'm headed to Nevada, where the endorsement of the Culinary Workers Union has given us another boost of momentum. We are building the same kind of strong, professional caucus team that we had in Iowa.

Together, we can make this happen, and I appreciate your support.

Our campaign has been warned against offering people false hope.

But in the American story, there has never been anything false about hope.

The 75,000 people who have given to this campaign this year are proof of hope.

And their offer to match your first donation of 2008 is their way of inspiring you to hope, too.

Make a matched donation of $50 now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

Nevada is the next stop on our road to change.

Let's get there 100,000 strong.

Thank you,

Barack

[tridim]

5. If the official polls say otherwise, then you might be right.

[dsc]

6. I admit to not being able to believe you are supporting Obama

The whole McClurkin episode was cold and calculated but actually isn't the worst problem. Obama seems nearly delusional about what the real problem in Washington acually is. The GOP just plain is too evil and partisan to work with. There is no uniting those who wish gays were dead with gay rights activists. There is no uniting those who wish to end health care for children with those who wish to insure the nation. We aren't fighting about China patterns in the White House here.

[Renew Deal]

11. Obama wants to run the right wing over.

I think people are missing the point about bringing people together. He wants to bring voters together. He wants a super-majority of Dems, Indies, and Pukes, that the congress-people will not be able to ignore.

I'll keep my china patterns joke to myself.

[dsc]

14. I have been listening to his speeches and that isn't what he is saying

He thinks that both parties are at fault in Washington for the rancor.

[Renew Deal]

16. That is what he's saying.

I don't have time to do the research now, but that IS what he's saying. It's about voters, not electeds.

[papau]

17. I look forward to your research - DSC seems to see what I am seeing - but I hope you're right

[depakid]

19. That's certainly not what I've been gleaning from his statements and behavior

then again, I guess I'm biased....

in favor of critical thinking.

[1corona4u]

45. So he only wants to unite DC?

What about the rest of the country?

[David Zephyr]

18. Far less that Bill taking a pen in his hand and signing into law DOMA.

That was about as "cold and calculated" an act of betrayal I've ever seen in the highest office of the land.

Anyway, that aside, dsc, my thread is my call now of the rest of the primary season.

I'm happy that Hillary had a moment in New Hampshire. But I am calling it here now as I see it happening. That's how confident I am.

[dsc]

25. Oh please

You and I both know DOMA would have passed no matter what. And had it not passed we might well have had a constitutional amendment pass.

[David Zephyr]

28. It did pass. Bill could have vetoed it. He signed it into federal law.

He didn't even issue a "signing statement".

Don't defend that action, dsc, just because you are sore at Obama.

[readmoreoften]

35. Oh and like Obama wouldn't've done exactly the same. You just wait.

If elected he's going to surprise everyone with his cultural conservatism. He's a fucking moderate for Christ's sake. Eh, why I am wasting my time. You people are either employees or brick walls...

[dsc]

52. It passed with veto proof margins in both houses

I would have preferred him not to sign it but I would also prefer to be the second coming of Brad Pitt, that isn't happening either.

[David Zephyr]

56. Exactly. He didn't have to take his pen and sign it himself.

It wasn't just that.

He flipped 180° on letting gays serve in the military and some years more were prosecuted under Clinton than under Bush. Real flesh and blood men and women lost their careers, their benefits for the rest of their life under Bill's rules. That is really, really wrong.

For me, the worst was the GLBT March on Washington, D.C. Planned long in advance, Bill and Hillary sneaked out of town so they wouldn't have to be there that weekend. I know. I was there. Flew all the way from California. Marched right past the White House where our President was missing. Embarrassed by the crowd. Sad.

That said, I still like Bill and Hillary.

But in my eyes, those offenses are far greater than letting a jackass idiot sing on stage in South Carolina in a few black churches, especially when Barack went out of his way to call us his brothers and sisters. He will repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. He supports civil unions. And I think he knows more about discrimination than any president that has ever, ever lived in the White House.

He will make you proud.

[dsc]

67. He got defeated on gays in the military

I don't like the results either but it was a defeat, not a change in Clinton's position. One commander, who Clinton should have fired, was responsible for the increase. It was some base in Texas as I recall. As to Obama it isn't just that he had the man there, it is all the lying about having had the man there. It is the fact, that after this came out, he still had the man MC, and still said in his taped intro that the man was his favorite singer. And he still gave the man an open mike to spew his non sense to that crowd. Just yesterday, I had to talk to a kid who fervently believes he can pray away the gay, this despite the fact he wishes to be highly involved in a gay straight alliance. McClurkin's message is poison and is still rotting the souls of our youth.

[Hippo_Tron]

36. DOMA may not have passed if Bill Clinton had been against it

He could have vetoed it on the premise that not only is it homophobic but blatantly unconstitutional as well (which it is) and that likely could've gotten the votes needed to sustain a veto.

Clinton signed DOMA to get re-elected.

[dsc]

40. It passed 87 to 13

and had something like 400 house votes.

[ruggerson]

49. That sure shut everyone up, didn't it? 87 to 13 folks.

Clinton could have vetoed it and it would just have become law anyway. Clinton's rationale at the time was that they wanted to avoid a constitutional amendment which is what the Repubs were threatening. Clinton said at the time he felt DOMA would eventually be overturned in the courts because he thought it probably wouldn't pass constitutional muster. Sure, it was craven and not very courageous, but he didn't have any options.

[David Zephyr]

53. He should have vetoed it. It was the moral thing to do. He took his pen and signed it into law.

He could have sent it back and allow the Congress to pass it without his signature.

Don't defend this ruggerson. It was a wretched thing to do.

[ruggerson]

60. It was not a courageous thing to do

I totally agree, David. But he had been beaten up by them over our issues before and I imagine he didn't have the fight in him. And this was a different time. DOMA was twelve years ago. Our country has come a long way since then, a new generation has grown up, teens are coming out when they hit puberty. It's a different world. It's pretty darn wacked that Obama would exploit us in 2007/8 in order to gain votes from a bigoted constituency. I don't buy that this was a "mistake", because he was given plenty of time to correct it, if so, by the HRC and others. They actively decided to use McClurkin and the others, they actively decided to let him MC it, and he then took Obama's stage and spewed his nonsense to great applause. Let's see Obama step up to the plate and make it right. Again, I don't think he's a homophobe, I think he's ok on GLBT issues, but I don't think he should be given a pass on this one, because it's not acceptable for a Democratic politician to do this in 2008.

[David Zephyr]

61. I understand. It upset me at the time, but watch this video clip. He's on our side.

Barack Obama will be a good president for not just our American GLBT brothers and sisters, but for them all over the world.

He will know more about discrimination than any president in American history the first day in the White House. He doesn't need to read a book about it, it is his very life.

Here's Barack's response about the idiot McClurkin and his views on our issues.

He's a good man.

We need to take Barack down from the McClurkin's cross. We need the wood.

And we need you, ruggerson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIQLwe-MmxY&feature=related

[Hippo_Tron]

63. It's much easier to hold 34 senators in line when the President will veto

[Kucinich4America]

31. If this McClurkin thing is really costing Obama support anywhere outside of DU

Then Obama needs to deal with it NOW. Because I have no intention of living through 8 more years of Bush/Clinton/PNAC/AIPAC/neocon/corporatist/constitution shredding bullshit because of one self hating closet case.

So either Edwards better pull out some wins, or Obama better condemn this asshole in public. Because the BUSH CLINTON DYNASTY IS NOT FUCKING ACCEPTABLE.

[dsc]

41. I will vote for him in the general

but not in the primary.

[David Zephyr]

44. I'm saving you a good seat on the Obama bus. It's a great view of the future.

:hug:

[Renew Deal]

7. Wow, that's bold.

:wow:

[David Zephyr]

21. John Kerry and Gary Hart were the beginning of the big guns coming out for Obama.

I'm happy Hillary had a moment in the sun, but it's over now.

[incapsulated]

8. Great, bookmark it so you can read this later

Hillary will win the nomination.

So sayeth incap.


:hi:

[goodgd_yall]

10. How did you predict New Hampshire?

Someone here predicted an outstanding win for Obama. I replied it Hillary would win with a slight margin.

[David Zephyr]

13. I didn't.

I'm making my call now. It's obvious.

[goodgd_yall]

51. Just wanted to check your record on predictions.

[BeyondGeography]

12. From your keyboard to Al Gore's ears

[stillcool]

15. Get ready...

I can here them running! It's gotten so bad around here, that mentioning support for any other candidate than ..fill in the blank...results in a shit storm of major proportions.

[H2O Man]

20. Interesting.

It appears that you are basing this on one of the older divides in the democratic party, and how it translates into today's contest. While you are going out on a limb, I think that there is a pretty good chance that you are correct. It's food for thought, and I appreciate that you posted it.

[David Zephyr]

29. I just can not see it any other way.

It's Obama's time. I think that Americans have been weighing him very carefully in their minds now and the more they do, the more they like him and they are crossing the threshold of being content with the idea of him being president.

I think that once that threshold is crossed, few will return.

Obama is the future. And I think that's going to be his sizzle. He really makes Americans proud.

[H2O Man]

30. I think it is

very likely that both President Carter and Al Gore view Senator Obama as uniquely able to begin to repair the severe damage that Bush2-Cheney have done to our international reputation.

[David Zephyr]

42. Excellent point. He can heal.

I like that.

[1corona4u]

46. Heal what?

[H2O Man]

68. Heal what?

Many Americans believe that the Bush-Cheney administration has done severe damage to this country's reputation, and has done serious harm to our relationship with other nations. That is a concern of almost every democrat in America, no matter which candidate they support. It is apparently something that many republicans are aware of, as well. Bush-Cheneyites tend to think the administration has improved our standing globally, though.

[1corona4u]

70. And so, you think no one else can do that?

Heal, that is.

[H2O Man]

71. I never said that.

Did I? Those are your words. They belong to you?

[1corona4u]

72. No.... I'm asking you a question...

when you see ? that means I am asking a question. Do you, or do you not, think there is anyone else that can/can not do that?

[H2O Man]

73. I think that

you should try.

[splat]

22. Kerry, Carter and Gore? The old boy network doesn't endorse Hillary? n/t

[PaDem]

23. someone explain to me why endorsements matter?

How does Gore, Kerry, Carter, or anyone else help a candidate by endorsing them? How does Chuck Norris, Kid Rock, or the ghost of Barry Goldwater help a candidate by endorsing them? Howard Dean loaded up on crucial endorsements leading up to Iowa in 2004, and we know how that ended.

[eileen_d]

24. Good reminder

I don't think people outside of political junkie circles factor endorsements into their decisions much. Maybe not even political junkies.

[H2O Man]

27. A couple of ways.

In political campaigns, there are always three groups: those who always support you; those who always oppose you; and the undecided. An endorsement draws attention to a candidate. Today, the media is reporting on Kerry and Obama. The "undecided" people add Kerry's endorsement to their consideration.

Second, Kerry has a "structure" acroos parts of the country. He has a large e-mail address book. He is a good fund-raiser. And he is able to get people at other levels of that structure to support Obama.

[kentuck]

26. David?

have you been in the medicine cabinet again? Did you forget that Edwards beat Kerry in SC by over 40,000 votes with Al Sharpton in the race also? You may be right but this could be very, very close...

[David Zephyr]

50. I'm pretty confident, Kentuck that this is how it is going to go down.

And I'll just get this out of the way, too.

Barack will pick Hillary to be his VP. I'm confident of that, too.

[Renew Deal]

65. Why in the world would he pick Hillary?

Wouldn't that be far too much "change" for people to handle? We've never had an african american or woman run for president before. How could they combine the two? I just don't think it makes sense.

[sandnsea]

69. That would be ludicrous

Why is he running against her just to turn around and invite her onto the ticket? Makes no sense at all. Clinton/Obama makes a whole lot more political sense than Obama/Clinton, and he can cut that deal tomorrow. I thought you were on to something until you said that.

[Catherine Vincent]

32. We shall see.

That would definitely be good news for Obama.

[H2O Man]

33. And for

all those who wish to see Patrick Fitzgerald as US Attorney General.

[Catherine Vincent]

38. Yeah!

But I wonder about that. Have those two met? Any bad blood between them?

[H2O Man]

39. No "bad blood."

[surfermaw]

34. Come Nov. the red states elect a republican

[Bluebear]

37. Then we will all feed deer from our hand under an orange-tinged sky & sing international folk songs

I kid, I kid!

[David Zephyr]

47. Well, hello Bluebear. Welcome to a pro-Obama thread with lots of love for you.

You and dsc will be his biggest champions. And he will make you proud. I know it. :hug:

I love international folk songs, by the way.

[dsc]

54. I sincerely hope you are right

but I don't like what I have heard so far. My primary vote is worthless, I vote in May. My general vote is also worthless since I live in North Carolina. That said, I will vote for our nominee and do hope that if it is Obama his supporters are right.

[David Zephyr]

57. That's all I ask.

I don't think your vote is worthless at all and your voice (and it is a strong one) certainly isn't.

[Bluebear]

58. Of course I will vote for him if he is the nominee.

Just to be clear :)

[David Zephyr]

59. Bluebear, please watch this video if you haven't.

This man is on our side. He will be a quantum leap forward for not just GLBT Americans, but for them all over the world.

Open your heart. I humbly ask you to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIQLwe-MmxY&feature=related

[1corona4u]

43. And so much for the democracy.

[elizm]

55. I'm loving the way you think. :) nt

[BringBigDogBack]

64. I hope to be amazed

at how dead-in you were. :)

Bookmarked.

[Egnever]

74. Love to see it but I doubt it

I think he loses nevada squeaks by in SC and then hillary edges him out on super tues.

Ill take yours but I think mine is what is going to happen.