Camper

Obama Releases Second Ad Buy

Barack Obama has released his second general election ad spot. I will admit that a few of Obama's moves in recent days have not settled well with me - backing away on FISA and handguns being two biggies.  But seeing this ad helps restore some of my warm fuzzies.  I like that the message is about him, about his values and accomplishments and does not cross any lines in the direction of negativity.  Its good to see that this aspect of his new politics is alive and well.

New Poll Still Shows Double-Digit Obama Lead

My wish has been granted . . . A new LA Times/Bloomberg poll shows Obama with a twelve point lead over John McCain nationally.  This follows just a day or so behind the Newsweek poll that had Obama up 15 points. Great news!!!

See Adam, I know what I'm talking about - sometimes.  Campaign finance is a non-issue.  Democrats will vote Democratic.  John McCain is old.  Nobody cares if Obama's advisors are tied to ethanol since most Americans - especially in the middle section of the country - support ethanol. It's all good (right now).

Fifteen is Obama's New Lucky Number

Newsweek has released its latest poll numbers and they give Barack Obama a 15-point lead over John McCain among registered voters nationally.  This should make all the folks like Adam out there who have been nervous because Obama didn't jump ahead of McCain immediately feel a little better.  It seems perhaps it just took a bit for the animosity of the Democratic race (not to mention the viewer exhaustion at hearing nothing but Obama, Clinton, Clinton Obama 24-7) to wear off.  Here's hoping other polls continue to show a double-digit lead of some size and that this isn't an out lier.  Given the mood of the country, Bush's disapproval ratings, etc. such a strong tendency toward Obama and change makes much more sense than the dead-heat we were seeing in previous polls.

I would also like to see these double-digit numbers continue because it will bare out what I've been telling Adam all weekend: the average voter doesn't care about public financing.  While on some levels it is disappointing to see Obama go back on his word about public financing, only those of us geekish enough to follow all the blogs and spend our Friday nights watching Keith Olbermann, really care about public financing of presidential campaigns.  And even among that crowd at a time when gas costs an arm and a leg, food prices are headed in the same direction, we are mired in a war without a clear end and so many other issues are pressing down on us, the manner in which campaigns are financed doesn't even make the top 10 reasons for voting. I think Obama recognized this fact.  That is why he did what he did. He is shrewd, he is smart and he knows that Democrats are at a HUGE disadvantage under the current public system. That's why I can't get too fired up about this "flip-flop" - in some ways its nice to see the Democrat fighting for once.

So here's to the beautiful number 15 - may it stick around or even grow between now and November.

Obama's First General Election Ad Buy is Telling

Barack Obama has made his first major general election ad buy and it is telling of what we have grown to anticipate from his campaign and of what we can expect in his run against John McCain.  The most striking thing about this ad to me is that it doesn't back away from John McCain's patriotism.  He is clearly not going to concede that point to John McCain as this message tells his American story - one very different from McCain's - but one very like millions of others.  His message says I am patriotic and love my country for the core values we all share as Americans.  It says that I can love my country for reasons we all hold dear and that I don't have to rattle sabres and shoot guns to do so.  Yet it says all of this without demeaning John McCain or his service to the country.

I watch this ad and I am once again amazed by the brilliance of the Obama team. They get it and they get Americans.  And they do it without being negative and nasty and attacking anyone else.  Perhaps it is this fact that most illustrates how much they get Americans because we are all sick and tired of the negativity.

The second striking thing about this ad buy is where it will run: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico,  North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Virginia.  Yes the typical battleground states are on that list - Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania.  But there are a dozen red states on that list.  Proof positive that Obama is not conceding anything. He really is running a national campaign and is truly trying to change the electoral map. That is change this country needs.

And despite all the skeptics . . . it's change that might just happen.  The most recent Georgia poll has McCain at 44 percent with Obama just one point back at 43 percent. The spread was a full 10 points one month ago.

Hillary Clinton did NOT win the popular vote!

The Obama campaign is clearly comprised of bigger people than me. They are content to let the Clinton hatchet men run around and say that she won the popular vote while the media idiots like Joe Scarborough are buying the line and repeating it.  Just one problem - Hillary Clinton did NOT win the popular vote. She only got "more votes than any other Democratic candidate for president in history" if you don't count the guy who won - Barack Obama!

Obama is clearly okay taking his victory to the bank and is content knowing that for all their blustering the Clinton's will step into a voting booth in November to see his name not hers on the ballot.  But I just have to do my part to set the record straight because Obama's is a truly historic victory and I think it is a shame that Hillary Clinton has been able to do so much already to mar this epic point in our nation's story. She shouldn't be allowed to claim that there is an asterisk by Obama's name  -  there isn't.

The only way Clinton bests Obama in popular vote is with Michigan counted and its really not fair to count Michigan since he wasn't even on the ballot.  So, the final, legitimate popular vote totals are as follows and the result is that Barack Obama rightly became the first black major party candidate for president by winning EVERY metric.

Obama: 18,107,710 (48.1%)
Clinton: 18,046,007 (47.9%)

Source: RealClearPolitics

June 4, 2008 - A Date for the History Books

What a morning! It feels good to wake-up this morning and be able to say that we have finally nominated an African-American for president. And to top it all off it's the guy I've wanted to be our nominee for the last four years.  I am one happy camper!  Plus, for the first time in week I actually felt human when I woke up this morning. (Which brings me to the apology for my long absence. I went from working 12-13 hour days all last week to recovering from bronchitis.)

Political conversation is heavy this morning and I have only begun to wade through the morning's news stories. But I will quickly give my thoughts on last night's events and speeches with more to come later as things continue to develop.

John McCain's attempt to steal the spotlight has all but flopped.  His speech was preempted to announce that Obama had sealed the nomination, and very little is being said about his speech this morning.  I found his speech inspired - by McCain standards - and a true, old school political delivery.  He was biting and sarcastic and catty.  His tone was not becoming the elder statesman he is trying to portray himself as. That said, I think his attempts to break from Bush and return to the McCain of 2000 is  good political move on his part.  I think he's fallen in line and pandered to much for 8 years to pivot again now with much success but I think he has to try because he sinks for sure if he clings to his predecessor.

Hillary Clinton - everyone is wondering what she is thinking this morning. I for one think she is thinking like a Clinton.  Terry McAuliffe has said she is aware that she has lost the nomination. That may be true, I'll take him at his word on that but she clearly has not come to terms with the fact that she has also lost control of the Democratic Party.  Unlike Gore who was an extension of the Clinton power arm and Kerry who never wrested control from the Clintons in 2004.  Barack Obama has won his role as the party's leader and done so by beating the Clintons head to head.  She is trying to bully her way into the VP spot but I don't think it will work.

Obama doesn't have to and should not ask Hillary Clinton to be on his ticket. Nor do I think he will. His primary message is one of change.  I think one of the reasons Hillary couldn't make this inevitable climb to nomination is because America wants change badly and Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton doesn't spell change. Putting her on his ticket dramatically undermines Obama's message of change, new life and revitalization. Further, Republicans are going to start coming after him in a matter of days for being too liberal, too inexperienced and without saying it, too black.  He has a big enough battle to fight without adding in the Clinton baggage. If the Republicans can't have Hillary on the top of the ticket they're close second is having her on the bottom of the ticket.  Finally, the biggest question mark about Obama is experience - read back bone.  He can't buckle to pressure from the Clinton faction and maintain the appearance of fortitude. We all know he doesn't want her on the ticket so he shouldn't ask her.

All of this is is said without even touching on the fact that she, Hillary has treated Obama with a great deal of disrespect throughout the campaign.  She has often hinted that McCain is a better choice than Obama. She refused to drop out even once the numbers made her chances of securing the nomination all but impossible.  She has forced her party's candidate to limp across the finish line for the sake of her own pride. Reports are out this morning that she took an hour to call him back last night.  What?!!! Does anyone dare take that long to call Bill back? Barack Obama is her leader now and she's being disrespectful. The time has come for Obama to call her bluff.  He controls the party now. If I were him I would go no farther than to say I will talk to you about the future AFTER you get out of this race.  And then we can talk about convention speeches and leads on health care legislation maybe even the Supreme Court but the vice presidency is NOT on the table. 

My Night with Michelle Obama

Yesterday's excitement didn't end with Bill Clinton . . . it was only just beginning.  As we were leaving the Clinton rally we got word from Anne Marie that the Michelle Obama event had been moved up an hour because she was ahead of schedule. (Bill by contrast was well behind schedule. Another indicator of which campaign is more efficiently run?) So off we darted to get to Lexington.

 

 

Campbell was pumped to see Michelle!

The event was an invite only thank you rally for Central Kentucky's most active volunteers. There were approximately 250 folks in attendance.  As we waited for the future First Lady the crowd engaged in spontaneous cheers of "Yes We Can" and "Obama O8".  Campbell very much enjoyed the cheering part of the night. She also enjoyed making friends with everyone around her. Her Baa+rock shirt was a big hit!
Michelle did a phenomenal job! As I continually am with every new interview I was once again impressed by her poise and class and brains. She is so smart and so well spoken.  I wish I could deliver such a speech unprepared and without notes.

She spoke of Barack's vision coming into this race to change the way politics is done in this country, to play by a new set of rules. She said she was proud of him for staying true to that vision and to himself throughout this very long campaign.  Having volunteered locally for Gore and Kerry, she spoke to something I have witnessed, how truly grassroots the Obama campaign is. None of the other campaign offices I've worked in have been manned by national field operatives. Gore and Kerry both relied on the local party to find a room in which to, essentially, house buttons and yard signs for distribution.  Anne Marie has done a wonderful job in Danville organizing volunteers to call and canvass and hang fliers. She has been in town for nearly a month now and, as Michelle alluded to, she truly knows the names of all her volunteers. It is relationships like the ones Anne Marie has forged on behalf of the Obama campaign with local supporters that are key to what makes this campaign special and what has energized so many Americans.

The other portion of Michelle's comments that struck me was her discussion of what she announced will be her banner issue as First Lady - veterans rights and support for vets and their families.  Ms. Obama came to our rally from a group of veterans and their families and talked of how heart breaking and infuriating their stories are - stories of physically and mentally injured vets who are not getting adequate medical treatment - stories of families and spouses left without moms and dads for more than a year at a time with inadequate financial and emotional support. As you heard her tribute to the brave men and women serving our country and heard her promise to shine a spotlight on this issue there was no way to doubt Michelle Obama's love for her country. At one point she joined an audience member in cheering "God Bless America!" Unlike the manufactured press ploys that have become all too familiar with the current administration, this spontaneous and heart felt moment was one filled with patriotism of the truest kind.

The event was great fun. Michelle was most impressive. Adam even said as we left that he almost wished she were the candidate - a sentiment I have already expressed here. I do think had she been so driven Michelle Obama could have been the first woman and the first black president all rolled into one.  It was exciting to be offered such an opportunity to see her and hear her in a relatively intimate setting. For all the slack Obama is taking in the media for "ignoring" Kentucky, this is the most personal attention I have received as a local volunteer in my lifetime.

And, to that point, during a conference call with volunteers on Sunday, Senator Obama himself addressed his intention to fully contend in and vie for Kentucky during the general election. He explained that while he wished he could have come to Kentucky more during the primary season that in the end the political calculation was made that his time should be spent in Oregon and other areas so that the primary can be brought to an end as soon as possible.  As he is poised to come away from today with a majority of pledged delegates and only 50 or so short of the needed magic number of delegates to officially secure the nomination, it seems his calculations are right on target.

 

Campbell wants YOU to vote for Obama!

Mr. Clinton Goes to Danville

As promised I am back to report in full on the political excitement from yesterday. Given the mass of fun news and pics to share I am dividing this into two posts . . . First up the former President himself! The air in Danvegas was palpable all day yesterday! Secret Service Agents were around town checking manhole covers, streets were closed. It was crazy!

Mom, Campbell and I spent the morning spreading Obama love with door hangers reminding folks to get out and vote today (though it seems so hard to imagine that anyone could possibly forget today is Election Day!). We had Maple Avenue - the street where Bill spoke. I couldn't help but think as we walked by the crews assembling the press platform and hanging bunting that I wished I had my official photographer (Adam) with me because a picture of Campbell and I in our Obama duds, Obama fliers in hand in front of the house adorned with Hillary signs would have been a great photo essay on what it is to live in this great nation of ours.

After hanging the fliers we headed to Melton's Deli where Gina was jokingly telling friends and customers that in honor of the President's visit they were offering a "Blue Dress Special."  Later that afternoon we walked down to the Clinton rally and watched as the Secret Service buzzed around the crowd making sure all these local yocals were on the up and up.  All in all I estimate the crowd at approximately 300 folks. Though in the interest of being fair and balanced not all of those in attendance were Clintonites. Clearly my crew was not and I spotted several other staunch Obama volunteers in attendance.  In fact, Adam came from the headquarters where our field rep, Anne Marie, was lamenting that everyone was going to see Bill when we should have been working!

At one point Adam even received a little ribbing from a member of Clinton's Secret Service detail for his Obama sticker and Campbell's shirt. Ad responded that we were supporting party unity.

Adam snuck onto the press platform for the beginning of the speech and scored some fabulous shots. All in all the speech was pretty good - what was to be expected. In true Bill fashion the speech included impressive stats and wonkish policy jargon on every issue from health care to Iraq to hybrid cars.  It was apparent, however, that the long campaign season was taking a toll as President Clinton seemed tired and a bit hoarse.

One final bit of "gossip" - the local grapevine has it that the family who hosted Clinton yesterday actually supports Obama. Apparently they were approached as registered Democrats by the Clinton campaign because their front porch was so idyllic.  I guess when Bill asks if he can come over you say yes - I know I would have!

I did not vote for his wife this morning but it was still an honor and an exciting time seeing a former President in our little town.

It's So Good to be Needed

I'm so used to the Kentucky primary being about local elections and this year everything is flip-flopped.  I am woefully uninformed about what local races are up tomorrow because I have been so focused on the Bluegrass's role on the national stage.  I've been speculating for months that my primary vote may actually count.  Here we are less than 24 hours away and my vote will matter tomorrow. 

Yes, Obama all but has it wrapped up and speculation is that after tomorrow he will have the majority of pledged delegates by whatever metric is offered (i.e. the official one or the Clinton one). And yes, Obama will lose Kentucky and win Oregon.  But my vote can be one vote for him that can help make it as close as possible here. And since nothing is official yet my vote is still a vote the nation is watching.

I can tell the nation is watching because there is a buzz in the air.  My day started hanging Obama GOTV fliers on doors reminding folks to vote tomorrow.  In an hour I am headed down the street to see Bill Clinton speak.  Yes, Bill Clinton is in little ol' Danville, Kentucky today and I will go see him because - even though I'm not voting for Hillary, when will I ever get a chance again to see a former President up close and personal (or from hundreds of yards away over the heads of other people)?

Then after the Clinton rally I'm off to meet Michelle Obama - which is what I'm really looking forward to. My loyal phone calling (I hate doing calls by the way!) and my door hanging talents are being rewarded with a limited access event with Michelle Obama tonight and I am so excited. As I have mentioned here before I think very highly of her and am excited to meet the future First Lady - a woman of true class and smarts.

Stay tuned for pics and stories from the rest of the day and night as the excitement mounts until we head to the polls tomorrow!

The Media's Double Standard

Just a quick note to draw attention to Frank Rich's excellent Op-Ed in today's New York Times.  Rich analyzes the horrific double standard our national media has with regard to politician's surrogates - aka the Reverends Wright and Hagee.  It's a must read examination of how the far more inflammatory and hate-filled statements of Reverend John Hagee have not drawn the attention or criticism leveled at Jeremiah Wright.  Similarly John McCain has not been bombarded with questions about his relationship with Hagee on a level anywhere near what Obama has experienced in the last five weeks.  There is without a doubt a terrible double standard in the media's coverage.