I hope you saw the speeches each candidate made at the end of Super Tuesday, especially McCain and Obama.

* Huckabee announced it is a two man race, meaning himself and McCain. That, in itself, is proof of his madness. But, if he really believes it is a two man race, why does he constantly attack Romney and — as far as I’ve seen — *never* McCain? More madness or do his actions reveal it’s a two-against-one race? (Fair enough?) In the end, Huckabee made numerous references to sports and far too many biblical references. He is unworthy of being president and please, please, please consider that point when he becomes the VP-candidate for the ancient McCain (his 96 year-old mother not withstanding). Do not be charmed or fooled by Huckabee: Huckabee is every bit as dangerous as Duhbya.

* McCain spoke magnanimously of Huckabee, who has been McCain’s able assistant in trashing Romney. McCain’s polite words for Romney didn’t seem quite as sincere and his audience could barely suppress their jeers. Worse, McCain swore fealty to Capital-C Conservatism, even as ‘true’ conservatives do everything they can to destroy him. That’s not “straight talk” nor offering compromise: that’s lying, in front of the entire nation, to get elected. A great leader who will inspire a nation to do whatever it takes. (Four More Years? Duhbya Duhbya II/too.)

* Obama is the only one I heard speak — in his very first words — of the terrible storms in the central US (no metaphor). That’s Obama: truly compassionate and empathetic. I read a lot of commentary today from people who feel he says nothing. Don’t confuse your deafness with silence. Turn off your talk radio.

peace, mjh

PS: Watch these speeches:

McCain – The Page – by Mark Halperin – TIME
http://thepage.time.com/2008/02/05/ever-superstitious-mccain-gives-a-little/

Clinton – The Page – by Mark Halperin – TIME
http://thepage.time.com/2008/02/05/clinton-stays-strong-on-message-in-super-tuesday-speech/

Obama – The Page – by Mark Halperin – TIME
http://thepage.time.com/2008/02/05/obama-fires-up-hometown-super-tuesday-crowd/

PPS: Even after Super Duper Tuesday, a few benighted or deceptive commenters insist Barack only wins with black people. Really? Iowa, North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho? IDAHO, which teems with black Democrats? Say what you *think*, but stop lying.

Read all of this well-written essay. mjh

[hat tip to The Edge of the American West]

Obama vs. the Phobocracy

The point of Obama’s candidacy is that the damaged state of American democracy is not the fault of George W. Bush and his minions, the corporate-controlled media, the insurance industry, the oil industry, lobbyists, terrorists, illegal immigrants or Satan. The point is that this mess is our fault. We let in the serpents and liars, we exchanged shining ideals for a handful of nails and some two-by-fours, and we did it by resorting to the simplest, deepest-seated and readiest method we possess as human beings for trying to make sense of the world: through our fear. America has become a phobocracy.

Since I started talking and writing about Obama I have come to see that this ruling fear, and nothing else, lies at the back of every objection or reservation people raise or harbor regarding the man and his candidacy.

A friend asked me to persuade her for Obama. I hope she won’t mind me presenting the same case to the world at large:

Both Obama and Clinton are smart, organized, talented. Both have devout followers. Hillary has the edge on experience in politics and public life, but part of that is simply an age difference. Obama has the edge on inspirational oratory. I’d say a very big edge.

I wish my Mom were alive for this — she’d be thrilled by both, though I think she’d favor Obama.

Obama said, “I don’t just want to end the war in Iraq, I want to end the mindset that got us into the war in the first place.” Damn!

Obama found something good to say about Raygun, but not in any way out of line. It seemed thoughtful and it struck me as an olive branch. I thought, “he’s thinking beyond the primaries and into the general election.” The Clintons — both — jumped on him and, I believe, twisted his sentiments. That’s old school politics; nasty stuff that we’re all sick of.

Obama accepted the DNC’s decision about Michigan and Florida. Clinton seemed to do so as well, until she held a victory rally in Florida. Clinton is ready to fight for Michigan’s and Florida’s delegates, if it comes to that. Shrewd; scrappy; relentless.

Obama was going to hold a rally in Utah, but deferred because of the funeral of the Mormon prophet. Instead, he went to Boise, Idaho, possibly more Republican than Utah. He offered condolences to the Mormons that day. He drew 15,000 people — “they told me there weren’t any Democrats in Idaho,” he said. Many in his crowds are not Dems.

I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure Obama talked about change (and represented change) before anyone else. Even the Republicans picked that theme up. I’m more sure that Obama talked about “you” more than anyone; now Hillary does, too. I don’t begrudge ‘doing what works to win’ and I’m not sure who was first with these ideas, but it feels like the imitators are … well, maybe cheating is the word I’m looking for.

Hillary would be a great president. I am slightly concerned about how she would keep Bill occupied and out of her hair. Bill Clinton has fallen mightily in my eyes in the last month.

Hillary represents some change; Obama represents all-out transformation. The world would be impressed by President Clinton. The world will drop its jaw if we elect President Barack Hussein Obama.

I don’t underestimate the hatred a black man will inspire in the general election, but we all know how much Republicans of all kinds hate Hillary. (McCain laughed when a questioner referred to Hillary as a bitch.) Right now, the Republicans are in shambles; not all of them will accept McCain or Romney. How many of those would stay at home if Obama is the Dem vs Hillary? Obviously, we can’t know, and so ‘electability’ is a debatable quality. Imagine seeing Obama and McCain on stage together. Imagine Clinton and Romney.

Obama has overcome my inner-cynic. He’s overcome my fear. He has inspired hope. I don’t think I’m deluded or deceived. I see evidence of his ability to charm/persuade/work with all kinds of people. He may be the Uniter, after all.

Four years ago, even though Howard Dean had been trashed by the media, I voted for him in our caucus. Obama inspires me more and I think can cross more lines than Dean could have.

Good luck with your decision.

peace, mjh

PS: Obviously, anyone is better than Duhbya. Even Huckabee would be more enjoyable as he shreds the Constitution further. Still, I’m starving for articulate leadership. Hillary’s fine, and fine is better than Bush, but I see a chance for ‘wow’.

I’m not sure who “LP” at nmfbihop.com is, but s/he speaks well about supporting Obama. mjh

New Mexico FBIHOP:: Tomorrow, I’m Voting For Barack Obama

by: LP

Tomorrow in New Mexico, we will join nearly two dozen other states in
voting for our choice for the Democratic candidate.  The field has been
winnowed down to just two contenders, Senator Barack Obama and Senator
Hillary Clinton.  Both candidates
are good choices, and would be not only a vast improvement over the
current President, but would offer a better choice by far than anything
the Republicans can put up.

Despite this, my clear choice for the Democratic nomination for
President is Barack Obama.  I have been leaning towards voting for
Obama for months, but after seeing him speak last week, I made up my
mind.  Not only do I believe he would be a very good President, with
the potential to be great, I believe he has the best chance of winning
the Presidency in November against whichever Republican becomes the GOP
nominee.

It wasn’t the endorsements from the Albuquerque Journal, Santa Fe New Mexican and Albuquerque Tribune
that convinced me. Nor was it the support of a large number of
progressive politicians who have aligned themselves with Barack Obama.
 It wasn’t his powerful speaking style (if you have not see the Yes We Can speech yet, you are missing out).  It wasn’t that he would be the first black man to be President.

No, what convinced me was simple: when I look at Barack Obama
and what he stands for, I realize it is also what I stand for.  I
realize that he has a plan going into office.  I realize that the plan
he has would not only be good for me and my family, but good for all of
America.  

Change.  I know, it’s all but a buzzword at this point int he
election, but it is true.  Barack Obama looks to be genuinely dedicated
to changing the way things are done in Washington.  Or at least do as
much as he can to change the culture of Washington.  Most people I talk
to do not trust those making decisions in Washington, DC.  I have hope
that an Obama presidency would help counteract some of that.

When he spoke in Albuquerque, the most impressive part of his
appearance was when he took questions from the audience.  Some were
obviously easier than others; he surely hears questions about veterans
rights in nearly every city.  Coming to New Mexico, he surely knew
immigration would be a potential topic.  But the impressive answers
came on questions about AIDS, about how to help struggling non-profits
and on Native American rights.

All important issues, and all issues that Obama was able to
speak about and sound intelligent on.  Something our current President
can’t seem able to do.

And then there’s Iraq.

Iraq was the biggest issue of the 2006 election, and that looks
unlikely to change before November.   The current amount of American
soldiers killed in Iraq sits at 3945, including 35 sons and daughters
of New Mexico.  Nearly 29,000 have been injured.  Whereas McCain and
the Republicans are perfectly fine with staying in Iraq for an
indefinite period of time, Obama has pledged to immediately begin
removing troops from Iraq.

This is a politician who surely wants troops out of Iraq as
quickly as possible. He is a politician who initially opposed the war
and still opposes the war.  He is someone who I trust (not a word commonly applied to politicians) to do as he says and bring our troops home.

Or instead of reading all of that, I could have just gave you
the short answer: He’s the best person for the job.  And that’s why he
will have my vote tomorrow.

State poll shows huge gains by Obama, McCain

Clinton now clings to a bare 45 to 43 percent lead over McCain in a projected California presidential vote, down dramatically from her 17 percentage point margin just two weeks ago. Obama now holds a stronger 47 to 40 percent margin over the Arizona senator, but that’s only half the 14 percentage point advantage he had in mid-January.

Both Democrats still run well ahead of Romney, collecting more than 50 percent of the vote in those matchups.

Howard Kurtz – For Obama, a Most Congenial Spot – washingtonpost.com

During the 2000 campaign, the [Arizona] Republic editorialized about McCain’s “volcanic” temper and said there is “reason to seriously question whether McCain has the temperament, and the political approach and skills, we want in the next president of the United States.”

Barack Obama for Democratic nominee – Los Angeles Times

Democrats preparing to vote in Tuesday’s California primary can mark their ballots with confidence, knowing that either candidate would make a strong nominee and, if elected, a groundbreaking leader and capable president. But just because the ballot features two strong candidates does not mean that it is difficult to choose between them. We urge voters to make the most of this historic moment by choosing the Democrat most focused on steering the nation toward constructive change: We strongly endorse Barack Obama.

The U.S. senator from Illinois distinguishes himself as an inspiring leader who cuts through typical internecine campaign bickering and appeals to Americans long weary of divisive and destructive politics. He electrifies young voters, not because he is young but because he embodies the desire to move to the next chapter of the American story. He brings with him deep knowledge of foreign relations and of this nation’s particular struggles with identity and opportunity. His flair for expression, both in print and on the stump, too easily leads observers to forget that Obama is a man not just of style but of substance. He’s a thoughtful student of the Constitution and an experienced lawmaker in his home state and, for the last three years, in the Senate.