Horrific! Indecent! President Obama Swims Without a Shirt!

Glad to see so many republicans concentrating on the stark horror of President Obama shirtless in a beach picture (much as JFK famously appeared on the cover of LIFE, I believe). See Jake Tapper's article at POLITICAL PUNCH, his ABC blog where you will find the new cover of the May, 2009 issue of The WASHINGTONIAN.

In reading the comments (playground snipes) following the article, I suspect the majority of comments were pounded out on defenseless keyboards by right wing Christians who are so terrified of life they shiver in their timbers over catching a chill on a sunny day. The outrage they express and the oh so personal venom spit at the president is different and more dangerous than the left's anger with George W. Bush. Bush ambled along unmarked until the Iraq invasion. With Obama-bashing, however, one sees the green-eyed monster thriving in the fertile ground of the insatiable right-wing hunger for approval. They appear to be against everything that isn't "them." Bitter, clinging to guns and religion. Ouch, did that ever hit home.

Please,fearful ones, instead of praying every day will be "the end of days," nut up to life here and now, show adult courage. Stifle the whimpering; go forth and rejoice in life. You might even wander down to the beach and, God forbid, take off your shirt!

I supposed Jake Tapper, who wrote the article about the shirtless President Obama, knows how to generate traffic which, no doubt, is a fine craftsman's tool. Still, I say, it's a shame ABC is fomenting another vacant story to stir up the end-timers who are sexually repressed beyond belief as it is.

I ask myself, why is 35% percent of an electorate, one that was thoroughly rejected in the last election, getting so much airplay? Why is the corporate media stirring the pot with every wedge issue it can find? Is the right truly determined to bring down this country? Is it true that corporate media has been co-opted by Republicans?

That would be enough for anyone to strip naked, put their hair on fire and pray for the end or days.

Rachel Maddow, 21st Century Pundit Hall of Fame and Obama Press Secretary?

by Stormy Malone

As the fresh new face of political commentary, Rachel Maddow's
star is rising. Highly visible as a guest commentator on MSNBC during the long, hot democratic primary race, MSNBC announced yesterday Maddow will soon host her own show. With no official name as yet, the show is to debut September 8, 2008 at 9:00 pm EDT on MSNBC.

Clearly many have taken to this young lady's style in front of the camera. Maddow commands the cable screen with intelligent, concise commentary, seldom relying on peevish posturing or "me-ism." Take heed, Joe Scarborough and the folks at Morning Joe. Joe Scarborough and Morning Joe.

Speaking of Scarborough, some are finding the seemingly thin-skinned morning host stale as a day-old cuppa Joe. It appears some might prefer to share their Mickey D's McMuffins with Rachel at the head of the table. Just saying.

It appears, however, that MSNBC has decided to stick with Scarborough in the A.M. while adding Maddow to the P.M. schedule in the slot currently filled by Verdict with Dan Abrams.

Down the road, however, one senses even bigger things for Maddow. During the take-down of Hillary Clinton by Barack Obama in the primary season, Maddow's presence lent a calm reassurance to the endless punditry chatter. Rachel made it clear that Obama could indeed defeat the Clintons and the world would not stop. In the near future, might not she be a perfect fit with the 21st Century sensibilities of a President Obama?

If there is to be a President Obama as many predict,Barack Obama (congratulations on a landslide, BTW), there may be an even bigger step forward for Rachel Maddow. From cable host to podium spokesman? A 35 year old Rhodes Scholar with a PhD as Press Secretary? As they say, Priceless.

For details of Rachel's history and future plans, visit her at her website, RachelMaddow.com.

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Why Hillary's Lie about Bosnia is a Deal-breaker

Here's what I don't like about Hillary and why I could not support her: By taking the high road she could have been classy while the Wright scandal carried on for another week or so. The only thing to knock it off course was an unprovoked, over-reaching, seemingly insane deal-breaker like her lie about Bosnia. Oops! She sure stepped in it.

To lie about a serious matter like war-zone danger, to accompany the lie with detailed storytelling, physical gestures and that silly "but I wasn't afraid" smirk indicates pathological behavior.

I don't fault Hillary for being mentally compromised but we have already had 8 years of delusional and "see-me-in-my-flight suit" immaturity. Hillary is as divorced from reality as George Bush is. Neither of them has functioned successfully in the every-day world that makes up life in America. Is Hillary in touch with the "Internets" any more than Bush is? Doubtful, or she wouldn't have stepped into the Bosnia lie.

Nothing I've ever seen in 45 years of listening to campaign parlance is as flat-out disqualifying as the Snipergate lie. It is a lie which Chelsea, when asked at Butler University about the Bosnia incident, said was just as her mother had described it. How can she be so dishonest?

What lies would be told to us if Hillary were President? We, the public, have had 35 years experience since Day One with Clinton manipulations. That is a historical fact.

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Barack Obama Gets the Delegate Win in New Hampshire

Despite Hillary’s 3% Victory Margin with Voters, Obama is No Loser in New Hampshire.

It appears, from blurbs on Politico.com and on CNN.com that Barack Obama may indeed came away the winner in New Hampshire after all. Not a big fan of the Electoral College here, but right now I’m kind of loving it.

Obama has come away with 9 of the New Hampshire delegates and Hillary has come away with 9 of the NH delegates. But, hold on,there are still “super delegates” to be awarded. Of those, Obama will garner 3 more delegates, whereas Clinton will garner 2 more delegates.

According to Politico.com, the margin of difference between Obama and Clinton is less than 3 %. The scorecard at CNN
awards 12 delegates to Obama, 11 to Clinton and 4 delegates to John Edwards.

Appearing on the morning shows January 9th, 2008, Obama, forever a man of grace and leadership, observed that the media had been a bit too hasty to anoint him as an unstoppable force. Pundits and polls anointed Clinton in the summer and Obama in the 3 days prior to the New Hampshire primary.

Obama stressed that a good, tough struggle would be healthy for the country and that he is anxious to be tested and further vetted. Sure, he would have preferred a win, but he's pleased not to have sustained the high percentage defeat that had been predicted less than two weeks ago in New Hampshire.

Still, one always has to fear the establishment machine in politics. After all, that's what this election is all about. Can the Democratic Machine and the Republican Machine successfully be challenged for the White House or will the change and truth-to-power candidates forever get squished?

Until the end of the primary season, if he lasts that long, Obama will always be the underdog. Even with a 20% lead he would be the underdog. The Clinton Machine could always send him to the pound. Or can they?

Although it may not be part of the Clinton lexicon, there's always hope. Hope. Sorry Bill, it's not a dirty word.

And Obama's quite happy with the larger number of New Hampshire delegates. Winning the popular vote was not quite a Pyrrhic victory for Hillary Clinton, but not a decisive win for her, either. She has stopped the bleeding. Now, please, lady, stop the pleading.

As an aside, I am so unhappy with the wild and wide-eyed Democratic women in high politics. It would be impossible for them to open their eyes any wider. Must have something to do with botox. Rudy G. has the ol' pop-eyed look, too - brrr, gives me the creeps!javascript:void(0)

No doubt Hillary will pull out all the stops. To be sure, she will bless us with her newly-minted Anna Nicole purr along with a well of victim tears appropriate when petting dogs and babies (provided the camera is rolling and the lighting is right)?

Oh, please, folks - she's George W. Bush in a blue (with braided black piping) pant suit!

Cheers,
Stormy


(I enjoy reading Andrew Sullivan at The Daily Dish)


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Help Me Obama… You're My Only Hope T-Shirt at Cafe Press

Want to have some fun? If you have a spare hour or so, I believe you can open your own t-shirt, button, hat and sticker shop at Cafe Press. I haven't been able to figure out the finer points of design, myself, but I do like this t-shirt slogan. The back of the shirt reads

EPISODE MMVIII
A CLEAN SLATE.

I like this shirt because I'm really pulling for Obama. Originally I had thought,"Help Me O.B. Ama Kenyabe," might have sounded more clever but it would be too obscure for most people. With people getting all confused about Obama's African hertitage and the Muslim father he only met once, it seemed wiser to avoid any hint of Kenya. A shame, truly, since Obama's reach into his Kenyan heritage is one of the most beautifully expressed personal journeys I've ever read.

I do suppose, also, that all the pundits attacking Obama for his education in Indonesia know that his mother was in Indonesia because she had a pretty cool job with the American Embassy. Besides, any kid that can write an essay of any kind in kindergarten is OK by me. As I recall, even in 1st grade, most of us were happy to print, "See Spot run." And spell PRESIDENT? Forget about it.

Hopefully those with questions will read, "Dreams From My Father," by Barack Obama written 12 years ago. It is a coming of age masterpiece full of contemporary insight. It reads like fiction. Obama can write well, that's for sure.

If you are interested in the shirt, follow the link to cafepress.com/helpmeobama. There are a myriad of other political tee-shirts there as well. And some pretty cool t-shirts about politics on Ebay as well.

Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see what the political season holds for us all!




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Bursting at the Seams! Barack Obama and Oprah Hold Rally in 80,000 Seat Stadium

People have a second sense when it comes to history being made. In South Carolina, home to an early Democratic party primary, Oprah Winfrey was originally scheduled to appear with Barack Obama at an 18,000 seat venue. Then plans had to be altered.

As advance tickets (free) flew off the shelves, it was decided to hop to a grander size venue, one that would hold "one and all," tickets or no. Enter a coliseum!

The event is now scheduled for Sunday, December 9, at the 80,000 plus University of South Carolina stadium in Columbia. Although the event is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (expect 70 degree weather!), doors will open at 12:30. Once again, the event is open to all.

Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said, "We don't expect to fill the stadium, but we want to accommodate the thousands of South Carolinians who expressed interest in attending."


"We wanted to make sure everyone in South Carolina who wanted to see Barack Obama and meet Oprah Winfrey had the opportunity," said Inez Tenenbaum, an Obama supporter and former state schools superintendent. "Everyone can attend who wants to attend."

Cable newsters have debated for weeks about the pull of an Obama/Oprah combo. As a purely human being, Oprah may be the most trusted non-divine person to walk this fastly heating up planet. And Obama's a pretty hot commodity himself.

Too bad we didn't have a month to promo this event. It would have been the Woodstock of politics. 70 degree weather in December (when you're from Indiana) is my kind of trip these days.

C-Span - get that bus loaded! I want to watch this event unfold.




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Hillary Using the Bush Smirk on Obama

I admit to being an Obama supporter from the get-go. As such I have had a sharp eye out this political season and have seen way more than my share of sound bites, cable clips and debate footage. Hillary has been formidable and I admired her poise and tone. But what I have been seeing lately from the Clinton campaign has me agape!

After the Philadelphia debate, which showed the first crack in Hillary Clinton's composure, she appears to have retreated into the smug, smirking, condescending speaking style of that beloved orator, George W. Bush. Who is advising this woman, anyway?

Hillary's public personality is getting way off track and becoming as managed and contrived as Al Gore's became during the 2000 campaign.

Of course, we love Al Gore for the person we know him to be, but, let's face it, in 2000, he didn't come off as either "real" nor "commanding." (As a presidential candidate, you've got to be either real or commanding with some level of consistency.)

Hillary's 'Bushy Smirk' was evident, for example, when she responded recently to Obama's statement of having an innate talent for foreign policy based partly on spending his most formative years (6-10 years of age)in a third world country.

In velvet tones, Hillary countered the Obama statement with the following: “Now voters will judge whether living in a foreign country at the age of 10 prepares one to face the big, complex international challenges the next President will face. I think we need a President with more experience than that."

What rankled me so much with the response was not the point she made (more rebuttal on that point at another time), but the tone and the body language she used.

Over and over recently Hillary has slipped dangerously close to ridicule and sarcasm in tone. Have you noticed it, too? Ridicule is not a clever tool and sarcasm is a tacky attempt at wit. When confidence becomes haughty and poise looks more like condescension, the democrats will flee in droves.

We've had 8 years of silver spoon "brattitude" and now we're getting it from Hillary. Enough!

Another recent Hillary "slippage" in authenticity came when she attacked Obama's health care plan. No doubt all health care plans have room for scrutiny, but I swear Hillary was acting like she had been medicated. Her voice took on a kittenish purr and her eyes were glazed as she again ridiculed Obama with a half-smile smirk.

I've heard Hillary speak - lots of times - and I never heard that little voice before. It's the kind of thing you see in horror movies when the main character's best friend is exposed as an android or zombie.

What's happening, Hillary? You have not been yourself lately.





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Hillary Clinton Supporters Boo and Heckle Obama and Edwards at Las Vegas CNN Debate

The democratic debate was held tonight in Las Vegas, Nevada. CNN really blew it. Moderated by Wolf Blitzer and John Roberts, the structure was chaotic.

The crowd, clearly packed with Hillary Clinton supporters, bordered on rude as childish Clinton supporters loudly booed Obama and Edwards when they pointed out weaknesses in Clinton's positions. Trailer-park tacky, is about all that can be said.

At the start of the squaring off between the candidates, hecklers were in evidence, as Clinton supporters, unchecked by Blitzer or the other CNN moderators, freely shouted catcalls at Obama. Why Blitzer didn't take some command of the audience is hard to understand. A few words about etiquette would have gone a long way.

Following the debate, a CNN pundit panel is composed of two former Bill Clinton staffers and one republican, J.C. Watts. The spin coming from the pundits is astounding. I'm a democratic and it quite alarming to see a network so in the pocket of a candidate. In addition to Obama and Edwards, Biden and Dodd have good performances, but CNN's panel is much too obvious in it's dismissal of everyone but Hillary.

How could CNN allow the audience to openly boo the candidates without reproach? What a failure of civility. Clinton supporters should know better. To boo someone for disagreeing with your candidate is the height of the politics of destruction.

This debate and the performance of "the Clinton camp" has convinced me, a life-long democrat, that I will never, under any circumstances, vote for Hillary Clinton. She represents everything about politics that needs to change in this country. And CNN is the epitome of what's wrong with the news media.

In short, what was Hillary Clinton's response to opposition? Rather than debating intellectually, she stuck out her tongue at the big bad bullies. And CNN seems to think that's a winning strategy. Amazing.

Oh, poor old Hillary. Boohoo.



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Barack Obama…The $25 Million Man of the Hour

Rumored for days that he would raise close to the recording breaking 26 million garnered by Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama made it official today. In the first quarter of 2007, he has tallied $25 million in contributions. Some funds are from big-wig contributors such as George Soros and David Geffen, but an astonishing 100,000 regular janes and joes contributed as well.

As previously reported in my column on Associated Content, Obama's presidential campaign. much like his previous US Senate campaign in 2004, is built from the ground up. During the closing weekend of the first quarter, ordinary people around the country opened their homes and places of business to small gatherings of Obama supporters. But 100,000 people? Even in traditionally Red State cities such as Indianapolis, Indiana, including its toney suburbs of Carmel and Zionsville, dozens of meetings were held around 2 pm Saturday, March 31, as supporters joined in a live video-feed conversation with Senator Obama.

During the same weekend, March 31-April 1, previous donors both large and small (that would be me) received a call to encourage additional financial support. "Fund-raisers, frank in their approach and reportedly dedicated to their candidate, succeeded in record numbers."

Now the public has found its own voice through the internet. Obama strikes a chord with that voice when he says, "Across our country, everyday people like you have experiences and ideas that haven't previously been heard. This is your chance to speak your mind and help set the policies that will guide this campaign and change the country."

"What's your story? What's your big idea? We want to hear it."

To date, Obama's own position on the war in Iraq has seemed prophetic. In 2003, prior to the start of the war, he is on record as one of the earliest official dissenters. Not only on idealogical grounds, but on practical, common sense grounds as well.

His recent statement on health care brightened the hearts of millions of Americans. One senses his statements are a great deal more than political babble.

"In the 2008 campaign, affordable, universal health care for every single American must not be a question of whether, it must be a question of how. We have the ideas, we have the resources, and we will have universal health care in this country by the end of the next president's first term."

With the first presidential primaries over nine months away, and the presidential election itself an additional 11 months down the line, it remains to be seen which candidate will be left standing in the end of what promises to be an engaging political battle. This quarter, however, over $25 million has been placed on Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.

At this rate of popularity, Obama may indeed become the de facto leader of the country long before the Presidential election of 2008.