Barack Obama benefits from key backing in North Carolina

The bulwark of Hillary Clinton's campaign in, for her, must-win Pennsylvania has been the unstinting support she's received from an array of established politicos -- especially Gov. Ed Rendell, Rep. John Murtha, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl (subject of a Washington Post profile Wednesday, which takes note of his 10-Diet-Pepsi-a-day habit).

Increasingly, it appears Barack Obama will enjoy a similar advantage in North Carolina, the state he needs to win to help thwart whatever momentum Clinton would gain from a Pennsylvania victory on April 22.

The big statewide race being waged as part of the Tar Heel State's May 6 primary is the battle for the Democratic nomination to succeed popular, but term-limited, Gov. Mike Easley (also a Democrat). Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue (pictured at left) and state Treasurer Richard Moore (below) are trying mightily to differentiate themselves in the minds of voters. But on this they agree -- Obama is their choice in the party's presidential contest.

Perdue, in fact, felt compelled earlier this week to spotlight her previous endorsement of Obama, sending mailers to voters showing the two of them together. Moore, meanwhile, is running a television ad that notes he was the first gubernatorial contender to back Obama.

When the furor over Obama's preacher, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, erupted a few weeks back, one poll showed that what had been a solid lead for Obama in North Carolina had essentially evaporated. And around that time, Clinton dispatched one of her top ground-game specialists, the appropriately named "Ace" Smith, to the state.

But since then, several surveys have shown Obama opening up a wide lead in the state -- indeed, in some of the polls, his margin is of blowout proportions.

Neither Clinton nor Obama, understandably, have yet to personally focus much on North Carolina. But their most formidable advance guards -- their respective spouses -- have.

Bill Clinton stumped in the state for a day last week, and he returns there for a couple of events Friday evening and five on Saturday.

Michelle Obama spoke at North Carolina State University in Raleigh on Tuesday and drew a crowd, to say the least. Officials estimated it at close to 6,000 -- an audience, according to the campaign, that was the largest for her "that did not involve an appearance with celebrity Oprah Winfrey."

Once the Clinton campaign more fully engages, the North Carolina race almost assuredly will tighten (much as Obama seems to have narrowed the gap in Pennsylvania). Still, barring unforeseen circumstances, he should add North Carolina ....

to his win column. Which would put him where's he been before -- in position to deal a devastating blow to Hillary Clinton's prospects.

The other state with a May 6 primary is Indiana. Although it borders Obama's home state of Illinois, the Hoosier State's demographics are more akin to the Clinton strongholds of Ohio and Pennsylvania. And the few recent polls conducted in Indiana have contained good news for her.

The Clinton camp already has started spinning the state as tough turf for her because of its proximity to Illinois. But a double loss for her that day should significantly increase the "time to drop out" chorus that she's been trying to silence.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credits: North Carolina lieutenant governor's office (Perdue); North Carolina Democratic Party (Moore). 

Comments

[John B Sheffield]

The gap keeps closing in Pennsylvania, Hillary's wide lead is going, she really needs to win clearly, but I think the last week has shown the True Hillary and those of us still to vote do not like her Lies and especially the Untruth about the 35 year old woman and her baby who died, Hillary Falsely claiming she had no insurance and could not afford the $100 upfront payment, both False Statements - How could someone use a story lie this for personal gain!

North Carolina could bring the race to and end/

[Alison]

Nope, the North Carolina race will not tighten.There will be four times as many African Americans voting in this primary. They all registered to vote recently, so they could vote for Obama.
This is a guaranteed blowout state for Obama.

[F Shoe Fitzwearit]

What is it about the Carolinas that demands the use of state nicknames in the reportage? When candidates campaigned in South Carolina, readers were forced to endure The Palmetto State over and over as a stunt synonym. Now we're on to North Carolina, which will send Top Ticket readers to search online for the reason why it is called the Tar Heel State. Ohio was not endlessly referred to as the Buckeye State or Pennsylvania as The Keystone State. While Iowa was frequently called The Hawkeye State on this blog, I don't recall a single reference to The Old Dominion State when Virginia was having primaries, nor to Connecticut as The Constitution State. Are those sobriquets simply too unwieldy? Or do you just like the sounds of Palmetto, Hawkeye and Tar Heel as they echo in cyberspace?

[roxey]

please vote for Hillary

[Jeff]

Mr. Obama is clearly going to be the democratic candidate and more than likely the next President of the United States. He is some what of a phenom, and people are jumping all over the bandwagon. Personally, I think its a good thing...Hillary does not do much and McCain is just another version of GWB.

What is really interesting is there is an Internet Consulting company, www.spartaninternet.com , that did a study on online support for candidates. They show Obama being ahead since early July 2007.

[Salik]

As Alison pointed out, four times as many African Americans have registered to vote, most probably for Obama. Obama is narrowing the Clinton lead in Pennsylvania..from 30% to 12% to 6% (which is the last figure I heard, as of 2 weeks ago). Obama will take NC and do well in Penn. If Clinton loses Penn, which is a possibility, she will lose voter, more specifically, superdelegate confidence, which will ultimately result in her loss in the race. Penn is a must-win-by-a-large-margin primary...Obama just has to do solid in the upcoming races and he gets the candidacy. My money goes on the Obama campaign for the win.

[Allen Hoban]

John Sheffield should read more than big font headlines: the hospital story has been investigated and revealed to be true.

And this quote is very disturbing:
"There will be four times as many African Americans voting in this primary. They all registered to vote recently, so they could vote for Obama."

Therefore Obama's only qualification is that he is part black! If true, then it is a shameful state of affairs.

A "Uniter" who has divided this nation into blacks against whites, young against old. A politician who claims to be "above it all" and yet his campaign has been dirtier than most.

We have had almost eight years of a dissembling, inexperienced "Uniter." This country cannot take another one!

[JS]

We DON'T need a President who tells too many lies? Enough of Bush lies and Clinton lies! Hillary should drop out of the race after Pennslyvania.

[Rhonda]

Why? Roxey? Do we really want her as our next president? She actually said the Mark Penn story will go away. Is she hallucinating? He is a key part of her campaign and has endorsed many companies with positions that she claims to oppose. And let's not forget Bill Clinton. She has repeatedly said we will get 2 for the price of 1. Yet, when we find out that Bill also supports CAFTA, she says they do not agree on trade. We also find out that Bill is not in favor of boycotting the Olympics because of China. We were again told that they disagree? Are we really getting 2 for the price of 1 or are we getting a house divided?

[Stephen]

Hillary (and the rest of America) needs to realize that the ONLY REASON anyone puts up with her at all is because she is married to Bill. She has no talent, no ability whatsoever to do anything. The sooner she is gone the better.

[Javalation]

Obama has the temperament I'd like to see in our next leader. He doesn't flash anger at those who disagree with him nor does he cry. If Hil were more like the Gina Davis TV president I'd support her, but unfortunately she's not. Obama's the one I'd like to see answering that 3:00 AM call.

[wantsome change]

> Posted by: F Shoe Fitzwearit | April 10, 2008 at 05:36 AM
>
>please vote for Hillary

No

[pauL HERNANDEZ JR SFC US ARMY]

North Carolina will come in just fine for Obama and watch out for a surprise finale in Pennsylvania.

Ladies and Gentlemen it is without question that Barack Obama will be the Democratic party nominee. He won more votes, more pledged delegates, more states. You cannot simply move the goaI posts any longer just ask Bobby Bowden or Nancy Pelosi. I for one appreciate the tempering Senator Obama has received from Billary’s “kitchen sink, Tonya Harding” strategies. Senator Obama will be stronger for having risen above her divisiveness and our candidate will thus be prepared for the Karl Roves and their fear be afraid be very afraid techniques. The Democrats lost the House of Representatives, the Senate and of course the White House. Do we really want more of those results for our country?

John McCain a.k.a. Senator “McWar” cannot create more make believe boogeymen; the American people are now on to that b.s..

I fought in Iraq in the All Americans 82nd Airborne and join the now legions of my comrades opposed to the war which has cost 4000+ of my comrades in arms their lives and maimed another 25,000+. How much does a trillion and counting cost each American family? I ask any citizen who doubts the price of this war to visit the nearest Veterans hospital to them. The one I visit for therapy has a plaque on it that states The price of freedom is clearly evident here. The price for Iraq is way too high for a war which we should not be in. No WMD, No ties to Al Qaeda Etc. Etc. I pray that our country is really prepared to show courage and turn the page away from the dismal George W. cowboy with no guts or sense years and put our great nation on a better path.

Vote Barack Obama America!

[wantsome change]

> Posted by: F Shoe Fitzwearit | April 10, 2008 at 05:36 AM
>
>please vote for Hillary

No

[Dave]

You mean, please vote for Hillary "sniper-fire" Clinton?
or please vote for Hillary "untrustworthy" Clinton?
or please vote for Hillary "ship-out-our-jobs" Clinton?
or please vote for Hillary "the-Columbian" Clinton?

or did you really mean vote for the trustworthy candidate Barack Obama?
or did you really mean vote for Barack Obama who refuses to be manipulated by lobbiyistss?
or did you really mean vote for Barack Obama because he wants big energy companies to invest in renewable energy?
or did you mean vote for Barack Obama because he wants to create more green jobs here in US?
or did you mean vote for Barak Obama for aligning himself with peaceful living as opposed to war and suffering?

[Fran Villa]

Want to see a strange quote from Obama? Try this:
"At a recent fundraiser in San Francisco, Barack Obama took a question on what he's looking for in a running mate. 'I would like somebody who knows about a bunch of stuff that I'm not as expert on,' he said, and then he was off and running. 'I think a lot of people assume that might be some sort of military thing to make me look more Commander-in-Chief-like. Ironically, this is an area--foreign policy is the area where I am probably most confident that I know more and understand the world better than Senator Clinton or Senator McCain.'"
WHAT?!? (Quote from The Huffington Post)

Again “boneheaded statements and not to mention very unpresidential without judgment prior to speaking.
Obama needs to bow out now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwjnT4eJJvs Audacity of Barack Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeC8BE-2T_k&NR=1 Audacity of Barack Obama 2

***VOTE & DONATE TO THE HILLARY CLINTON CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT***

***GO HILLARY DO NOT QUIT OR GIVE UP, FIGHT TO THE END***

[Fran Villa]

Look up the website of Trinity United Church of Christ and read the bylaws. Obama knew that the church's loyalty was only to Africa and was anti-white, yet he joined. Of course he never heard the speeches of the good Reverend nor did it bother him when the church honored a known terrorist.
In one of his new ads for Pennsylvania that he has been a proud member of the Trinity United Church for over 20 years. I guess he will show the rest of us where his loyalty lies. Other concerns about Senator Obama. His National Financial adviser is Penny Pritzer, billionaire owner of the Hyatt Inn and TransAmerican Credit among other ventures. She has given several fund raisers for Obama raising millions *(as did Tony Rezko). Penny once owned the Superior Bank in Chicago and it is said was the forerunner of the mortgage crisis. She was bailed out by the government and BEAR-STEARNS after the FDIC paid its limit. Over a thousand investors lost their pensions and their life savings, never to be reimbursed. There were a lot more stories tied to this failure but I would advise you to read for yourself; Loan Modification & Home Loan News, by Moe Bedard on March 25, 2008. Obama lived in Chicago at the time, all the papers were full of the details. Why would he choose her for his National Finance Campaign Manager?
Knowing our country's economic condition why would he propose his bill-Global Poverty Act, which gives us a debt of 850 billion dollars over a twelve year period to stop poverty in other countries? This is in addition to what we already pay. His words are" With billions of people living on just dollars a day around the world, global poverty remains one of the greatest challenges and tragedies the international community faces. It must be a priority of American foreign policy to commit to eliminating extreme poverty and ensuring every child has food, shelter and clean drinking water. As we strive to rebuild America's standing in the world, this important bill will demonstrate our promise and commitment to those in the developing world." The United states is not eligible for this aid, even though we have families living in tents and trailers after floods, fires, tornadoes and hurricanes that we don't have the money to help or rebuild their cities and towns or highways. The bill institutes the United Nations Millennium Summit goals as the benchmark for US spending. It declares the official US policy is to eliminate global poverty, that the PRESIDENT is "required to "develop and implement" a strategy to meet that goal and requires that the US efforts be "specific and measurable." It would require .07% of our gross national product on top of what we are now paying. "In addition to seeking to eradicate poverty, that *(U. N.) declaration commits nation to banning small arms and light weapons, and ratifying a series of treaties including the International Criminal Court Treaty, the Kyoto Protocol *(global warming treaty) the Convention of Biological Diversity, the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention of the Rights of the Child." These UN protocols make U.S. law on issues ranging from the 2nd amendment to energy usage and parental rights all subservient to United Nation whims. It is estimated that the only way to raise the necessary funds to pay for this would be a global tax, preferably on carbon-emitting fossil fuels. One writer suggests that taxes from 35 cents to 1.00 per gallon, would be added to gasoline and fuel oil. Who knows what would happen to the coal industry. THIS BILL HAS PASSED THE SENATE COMMITTEE AND IS WAITING FOR FULL VOTE ONCE HE BECOMES OUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. PLEASE READ THE
GLOBAL POVERTY ACT. Lastly, Obamas connection with the International Socialist Party and the Democratic Socialist Party. Obama had the flag featuring communist hero Che Guevara in his office. Obama is an associate of the Chicago based Marxist group with access to millions of union dollars and connections to expert political consultants. If each member donates the limit on line he could raise millions in one month. The same goes for the oil interests he claims not to have, and the Chicago Nuclear plant, among others. Also HOWARD DEAN chairman of the Democratic party, *(instrumental in not allowing Hillary's votes in Florida and Michigan, gave a speech at the Party of European Socialists in 2006 and in 2007 PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen met with the Democratic heads at the Democratic Headquarters in Washington and agreed the PES activist groups in various US cities would start working together. At that time he met with Senators Ben Cardin, Senator Bernie Sanders, Howard Dean, and AFLCIO President Sweeney, all with ties to the Democratic Socialist Party. Also, present was Strobe Talbot of the Brookings Institute, has recently been identified in the book "Comrad J" as having been a pawn of the Russian Intelligence Service. Could these Activist groups have been instrumental in setting up caucus groups for Obama? Is this why Obama is so embedded in this election? We want to live in a Democracy not a socialist republic. Challenge the media conglomerate to look into this, will you? If not for bloggers who research these facts the public would never know. CNN, MSNBC, FOX, or affiliates will not step on toes this high up, or will they?

Pretty scary, Americans wake up! Do your research.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwjnT4eJJvs Audacity of Barack Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeC8BE-2T_k&NR=1 Audacity of Barack Obama 2

***VOTE & DONATE TO THE HILLARY CLINTON CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT***

***GO HILLARY DO NOT QUIT OR GIVE UP, FIGHT TO THE END***

[We The People]

"We" do not understand why there are so many articles that try to make it appear that Mr.Obama is some how leading or tied with Mrs. Clinton in the Pennsylvania. Yet the same story says that Mrs.Clinton has a 9 point lead. Actully "We" do know why. This is a way to make it appear that when he loses in a state that no one expected him to win in the first place, this will some how become a huge problem for Mr.Obama. Even before the next race in N.C. they are predicting "Blow Outs." Is that a way to make it appear that when, or, if, Mr.Obama win in N.C. by a lesser margin than the "news" is predicting , Mr.Obama will made to look like a loser? What "WE" are asking is why not just be fair and equal with both Mrs.Clinton and Mr.Obama. Race is being made an issue of. How many white people is voting for this one, how many black voters are for that one. The Only thing that has been made clear., is that the people backing Mr.Obama care more about the party then the candidate. "we" are not so angry or foolish as to vote republican if our man is not nominated. Why, or what, would drive people to say that before they would vote for a man who is clearly capable of doing what is right, and good America, they would cross party lines? If the person was a good choice "We" too would cross the line,because "We"care more for "Our" country, than any one person. But to know the Republicans and what they have done to this country, as well as to this country, "We"find it scary that there is such an amount of hate for Mr.Obama that they would actully put McCain in the white house. It appears the bar is raised and lowered for Mrs.Clinton according to which posistion is to her advantage. "We" leave it to you.

[Sam]

This is still a Democratic Republic...so no matter who wins what in the 10 upcoming contests..NOONE is getting out.

We are not a third world or fascist country yet...so We the people get to determine who We want.

This race is still very close - we have seen enough surprises to know better than to think we know anything.

I would note that PA is the first election after the Rev. Wright issue.

[Treyl Johnson]

((The gap keeps closing in Pennsylvania, Hillary's wide lead is going, she really needs to win clearly, )) Same old story...remember NH, NEV, CA, MA, OH, TX...??

The media and a few polls showed Hillary was supposed to lose..but she WON! My point is that when the media starts pushing something really really hard about Hillary - don't believe it.

Most polls still show her with a 10+ point lead in PA -

Oh, and we get that the media and the Obama supporters have been lying and smearing Hillary since the start of this race. Yawn....we are all racists (except Rev. Wright), Hillary is evil - yadda yadda Who cares?

Barack has so many lies and his negative ratings are awfully close for a newcomer - Hillary worked a lot of years fighting on behalf of human rights, health, children etc... to earn that hate.

People...RESEARCH the candidates.Forget the mainstream media - the Natl. Enqurer has more journalistic integrity. They know hey are telling us lies - they don't care.

[Fareed]

Judgment, Judgment, Judgment Hillary, Bush and McCain were for the War in Iraq, Barack Obama was against. This more than any other issue will determine how independent voters chose. Hillary with her string of Lies is not helping herself. McCain with his Over the Top history of disrespectfully cursing everyone from his wife to fellow Congressmen is something he will have to disavow as a pack of smears, or if true begin apologizing. Judgment, Judgment, Judgment.

[Fareed]

Judgment, Judgment, Judgment Hillary, Bush and McCain were for the War in Iraq, Barack Obama was against. This more than any other issue will determine how independent voters chose. Hillary with her string of Lies is not helping herself. McCain with his Over the Top history of disrespectfully cursing everyone from his wife to fellow Congressmen is something he will have to disavow as a pack of smears, or if true begin apologizing. Judgment, Judgment, Judgment.

[Texas Democrat]

The fact is that the Wright controversy is far from over. He chose Wright and threw his Grandmother to the wolves. He never answered to why he stayed. He was not just another parishinor, but running for President of the United States of America. The same America that Wright said G D to America, and that America is run by the KKK and on and on! But this man was more important to him than his own Grandmother. And he did march with Farankhan, who we all know does not represent equality for all. What is sad is the hypocracy of Obama , his supporters and the Democrat party. They stood by him, but had this been McCain or Clinton they would have been FORCED out of the race and rightfully so. But Obama should have been, too. Discrimination, AntiAmerican viewpoints and racism is still racism and Anti America rather you are black, brown or white. Obama will never carry Pennsylvania and he is not even close in that state. The polls are a joke. These are the same polls that said he was closing the gap or may win Ohio! Obama has not proven to this Democrat that he is loyal enough to America and ALL Americans to ask Americans to vote for him. He should have left this race and given the Party a chance to win in November. Now we are a divided party and an even more divided country.

[Rebecca]

I live in Raleigh NC, and I am proud to say that North Carolina is Obamaland! Lets get ready to rumble Clinton, we are ready to show you who we love! OBAMA 08

[Randall Richardson]

Can you believe it? The once pompous, self entitled, Hillary crowd is now begging for votes.

[Cilla]

Allen Hoban at 6:03am said:

"A "Uniter" who has divided this nation into blacks against whites, young against old. A politician who claims to be "above it all" and yet his campaign has been dirtier than most."

Your claims are totally untrue and everybody knows it. Obama has a huge amount of support from whites. Please explain Iowa, Mr. Hoban. As for negative campaigning, huh? Obama's campaign could have been WAY nastier in response to the Clinton tactics, please. Lastly, how is it divisive to register people who DO live in the U.S. and ARE citizens!! You're saying that's a bad thing they are voting? That it is divisive to encourage CITIZENS to participate in our democracy? Please tell me how on earth that is patriotic. To be inclusive is to be a uniter. It's very plain your one and only problem with Obama and many of his supporters in North Carolina is the fact they are black. It's called racism. You're not very good at hiding it either.

[Cilla]

Oh right, like I'm going to listen to Texas Democrat at 8:37am. The state that gave us the Bush family and from one of the so-called Democrats that voted him into office. Twice. Because he represented patriotism and family valuuees! Yee haw.

[George Baton]

When comments are as long as Frank Villa's, you know their candidate is losing.

[Louis P. West]

Posted by: Salik | April 10, 2008 at 06:03 AM
And this quote is very disturbing:
"There will be four times as many African Americans voting in this primary. They all registered to vote recently, so they could vote for Obama."

Therefore Obama's only qualification is that he is part black! If true, then it is a shameful state of affairs.
-----
That previous statement is a leap and a half and amounts to a whole lot of poppycock.

What about the possibility that Obama's stance on particular issues align with the issues that matter to this community? I'd bet that if Hilary's views aligned with any community and she spent the time getting new people to participate in the democratic process, she would have that sort of support too. But she doesn't.

To me, it boils down to the fact that Obama cares enough about this country to get people to vote. Once people are registered, there is no saying they will vote for him. Just that they are voting. I applaud his dedication to the true democracy of the United States and I sincerely hope that people stop missing the forest for the trees.

[marc]

Wake-up America! That slogan talking Obama, that sound bite Obama, the I'll be whatever you hope for candidate, IS NOT the leader we need. Edwards is right about Hillary's UNIVERSAL Health Care plan. Hillary won the debates. Obama next to Hillary is pathetic when it comes to leading America out of the RECESSION. Vote for Obama on American Idol, not for president! Hillary can get the job done as OUR NEXT PRESIDENT.

[Lisa W]

Drop the attack on his church. It's not like they practice voodoo or sacrifice anyone. I am a 39 yr old white female and the man has character. If I judged YOUR church on what each individual thought about whites and blacks and hispanics and jews and asians, I am certain it wouldn't be much different. So what if it is coming out of the pulpit. So what if Wright dares to say what many people silently think. Wright''s overall mssg is to choose Jesus as your Savior. And I'll leave it up to God to decide Wright's fate and yours.
Meanwhile, I'm counting on you Pennsylvania to END this thing. It's in your court, MAKE HISTORY!

[lisaw]

Look, if the guy wants to help the POOR, wherever they may live, I am all for it. How can that be a bad thing?

Should he give tax cuts to Billionaires instead?

Oh, I know, you would rather spend 3 billion A DAY to kill and maim Americans and Iraqis with America's tax money.

[benwag]

So he wants to reduce global poverty. Shame on him.

So he wants to get lobbyists out of Washington. Shame on him.

I, for one, would love to see my tax money going to help the POOR on all continents, including this one.

Clinton uses millions of her supporter's money to payroll lobbyists for foreign governments. Ouch.

Mitt Romney is rich and used his own money to run. Hilary is rich, but only "loans" her campaign money when her supporters' money runs out.

I know so many of you (particulary women and my gay friends) support Hilary. But look who she is payrolling with your money. She cares about no one but Hilary Clinton. I really do believe that.

I would feel sad if Pennsylvania can't end this thing so we can all move on. Please Pennsylvania PLEASE, on my knees to you, end this thing for the good of ALL.

[bill]

please vote for Hillary often

[bill c]

Please vote for Barack!

[pay4me]

Oh, pleae please please vote for Obama!

[Lisa M]

I thought I was the only one who said Bush stole the election from Gore with the support of the Supreme Court.

I thought I was the only one who said "Declare War on Iraq, what?! They had nothing to DO with 911. Don't Americans know the difference between Afghanistan and Iraq?" "Can't they see this is a personal vendetta left over from the 1st Bush administration?" (Although as a footnote, I am glad Hussein is finally dead).

I thought I was the only one who saw Bush was an arrogant, underachieving, mega-rich, oil tycoon, warmonger whose family has financially benefited from wars since WWII when his grandfather sold arms to the Nazis. And his 'peeps' are the Fed's shareholders who have been trying since 1913 and the FEDERAL BANK ACT to gain the wealth the US, and the world.

I thought I was the only one who said Lobbyists should not run Washington.

I thought I was the only one with the character to speak out while everyone else waved flags on their cars (dirty and shredded).

And suddenly here is a politician who hs been saying the same stuff all along. A man of "character."

Rise up above your petty bickering Clinton supporters. Elect a PERSON who rises above it all with sound judgement. Don't be afraid to vote for a man. He is not responsible for what you have been through.
He wants to help Washington, help Americans, and help the Poor and Suffering everywhere. He's like Angelina without the boobs. But, he does have great teeth.

Alas I digress. Pennsylvania has the power to decide this thing and save us all some money. Get it over with Pennsylvania.

I am counting on you to see the light.

[Paul]

Clintonites are lying about the hospital story. The woman's GRANDMOTHER and the HOSPITAL both say Hillary has lied and harmed the mother's reputation.

[For Obama]

As an American citizen living in Europe, I have been following very closely the US Presidential nomination process. I used to like both Clinton and Obama. This is no longer the case. The more I know about Clinton's behavior, the more I dislike her. My respect for Obama is increasing and I am now his supporter. As we say in the Orient, Clinton has the "bee's sting" personality. She loves to attack and is stinging in her choice of words. She is also dishonest. Her extreme aggression and ill-chosen words will eventually bring her down. Once the bee has stung, it dies.

[Sam Winters]

Whenever I see Hillary on TV, She reminds me of QUEEN
NARISSA , the wicked Queen in the Movie "Enchanted"

[mike]

the more i hear her supporters, the more i hate her. it reminds me of what type of person she is. she is no good for this country. her ego is way out of control. "i'm a fighter, i'm a fighter"...americas need MORE than a fighter. you have to have the judgment to know when to fight, know when to stand down, know when to compromise, know when to stand firm, etc. she doesn't know how to do this, she just knows how to fight...slash and burn. americans are ready to unite and solve the problems of our day. no more fighting, get things done!

[Orion]

AMERICA WAKE UP, ITS TIME TO GET OVER REV. WRIGHT!!!
No body is really freaked out by what he said because everybody knows (white ppl, black ppl, chinese, mex, jews) that what he said IS BASICLY ALL TRUE!!!!!!!
ANY IDIOT WITH ANY COMMON SENSE KNOWS THAT THERE IS STILL RASICM IN AMERICA. AND IT DOES'NT MAKE YOU ANTI-WHITE JUST BECAUSE YOU POINT IT OUT.
The problem with America is that you people just want to sugar coat everything and push the problems under the rug as if they don't exist (just because you may not be directly affected.)
AND YES....SOME OF US (as well as white Christians) BELIEVE THAT USA BROUGHT ON 9/11 BY THE SEEDS IT HAS PLANTED, AND BY INCREASINGLY TURNING AWAY FROM GODLY VALUES!!!

Do you really think that Obama is planning on getting into office so he can oppress white people???? GIVE ME A BREAK!!

What we need is a President who has sense enough to see this country for what it really is, and not some POLITICALLY CORRECT WHIMP who is just a people pleaser. How are you going to erase the line of racism if you are TOO AFRAID TO POINT IT OUT.

I'M VOTING FOR OBAMA

[deborah]

Yes, James, there is a good article--just one, from January 10, 2008--about Obama's church at Factcheck.org. It's titled : "Sliming Obama, Dueling chain e-mails claim he's a radical Muslim or a 'racist' Christian. Both can't be right. We find both are false."

The article disputes as "sliming" the viral statements about Obama's church that you claim it proves. Perhaps you need to recheck Fact Check before you use it as a source for these incendiary statements. Maybe you're referring to the chain e-mail Fact Check labeled "false." It's always a good idea to double check facts about candidates found in reader comments (or anywhere). If we're all going to act like citizen journalists, we need to do the legwork.

[Phantom]

Reading all these emails containing this hatred and animosity, I feel sorry for all of you. This country is going to the dogs....this is what happens when they take religion out of schools. You need someone to pray for you all.....what ever happen to "love one another". You are all to far gone to help.

[NinaK]

please vote for Hillary

Posted by: roxey |
----------------------
roxey, NO WAY!!

Hilliary's credentials:

Fraudulent claims of superior experience, including: "I remember landing in Bosnia amidst sniper fire, we had to put our heads down and run to our cars" COMPLETE fabrication!! To add injury to insult, she then goes on the Jay Leno Show and jokes and laughs about being late because "I got caught in sniper fire". Talk about insulting our troops who have dies under actual sniper fire, bombs, roadside bombs, carbombs, and all kinds of other attacks. How about the thousands who have been severely injured as a result of these types of attacks?? By her fraudulant claims regarding sniper fire and then joking and laughing about it DISQUALIFIES HER AS COMMANDER AND CHIEF!!

Cannot lead and or manage her campaign team, consistent inflighting, BIG shakeups, etc.

Cannot budget properly and wisely, went broke and had to lend her own campaign $5 Million

Hires Penn as a campaign strategist....while at the same time he continues to fullfil his duites as a lobbyist, goes to Colombia to make a deal for NAFTA, which Hilliary claims she opposes. Yeah, right! He was probably representing Hillary and Bill. She cannot fire him, so still has him on as a strategy advisor and his company as her pollers. Why can't she fire him completely??? She's afraid he will spill the beans. Remember, Colombia said they did not know whether he was there representing Hillary or his company....must have been a VERY interesting meeting.

Bill passed the NAFTA legislation and Hillary was one of its main supporters (per her White House records), now she lies about it says that is not so. Say anything, do anything to get those votes!

Throws Gov Richardson under the bus because he chose to endorse Senator Obama! An endorsement she and Bill greatly begged for and coveted.

Lies, Lies, more Lies, one on top of the other

NO, Thanks, NOT HILLARY, NOT NOW, NOT EVER!!

I want a President of Good Character, INTEGRITY, HONESTY, Vision, leadership and managerial skills (just look at Senator Obamas wonderful campaign!), Good Judgement, Wisdom, and, yes, the ability to communicate eloquently and sincerely.

[Stella H. Brinkley]

We need to defeat John "Shifty" McCain NOW.

We've already had 63 years of half-wit bumbling stumbling incompetency in the White House, AND we DO NOT need any more Clintons.

Hillary should drop out of the race NOW, pay her bills, and let us start to go after McCain right now. This is urgent. McCain is already "even" according to MSM polls.

'O-8 !!!

[NinaK]

Actually, new poll out today, Thursday, 10 April 2008:

Senator Obama still gaining in Pennsylvania; Hilliary is ONLY 4 points ahead of Senator Obama!!! A big drop from a week ago! We still have two weeks to go!!

We" do not understand why there are so many articles that try to make it appear that Mr.Obama is some how leading or tied with Mrs. Clinton in the Pennsylvania. Yet the same story says that Mrs.Clinton has a 9 point lead. Actully "We" do know why. This is a way to make it appear that when he loses in a state that no one expected him to win in the first place, this will some how become a huge problem for Mr.Obama. Even before the next race in N.C. they are predicting "Blow Outs." Is that a way to make it appear that when, or, if, Mr.Obama win in N.C. by a lesser margin than the "news" is predicting , Mr.Obama will made to look like a loser? What "WE" are asking is why not just be fair and equal with both Mrs.Clinton and Mr.Obama. Race is being made an issue of. How many white people is voting for this one, how many black voters are for that one. The Only thing that has been made clear., is that the people backing Mr.Obama care more about the party then the candidate. "we" are not so angry or foolish as to vote republican if our man is not nominated. Why, or what, would drive people to say that before they would vote for a man who is clearly capable of doing what is right, and good America, they would cross party lines? If the person was a good choice "We" too would cross the line,because "We"care more for "Our" country, than any one person. But to know the Republicans and what they have done to this country, as well as to this country, "We"find it scary that there is such an amount of hate for Mr.Obama that they would actully put McCain in the white house. It appears the bar is raised and lowered for Mrs.Clinton according to which posistion is to her advantage. "We" leave it to you.

Posted by: We The People

[bruce becker]

Pastor John Hagee on TBN says that God has Damned America. Pastor Hagee backs John McCain. Pat Roberts the evangelical on the 700 club said that God has Damed America because of it acceptance of homosexuals. This Rev has also backed John McCain. Now are you going to ask McCain to disenfranchise these two ministers?
What is the difference between Hagee, Roberts and Wright? One is black.

[russell henson]

It's so amusing to see folks try to paint Obama as anti-white when he is white. Are they saying he hates his mom and grandmother that raised him? It's so hard being of "mixed race" when folks from either side try to make you "pick a race." When all is said and done, we are all members of the human race. This race debate is something that people in the future will laugh at how primitive our perception was at the turn of the twenty first century.

[bruce becker]

NinaK

There are several companies doing polling.
One poll in Pennsylvania interviews 1400 persons, which makes it more accurate than any of the other polls. It showed Obama leading by 2%, last week.
The one in which Clinton is leading by 6% interviewed only 600 persons, last week.
That is why there are different stories.
It takes 3000 interviews, properly spread, to do accurate polling. But because the actual election in Pennsylvania is by Congressional district, and delegates are elected by Congressional district, not statewide, no one is polling enough people to be accurate.
For example, the poll you may see that shows one candidate ahead on a national poll is meaningless, because in the general election, the meaningful result is by state, not by national total and not by Congressional district. For example in the Texas primary the delegates were elected by Texas state senate district by a % formula that took into account whether the senate district had voted 30 to 70% in the previous two general elections, so while Clinton did very well in south Texas, those senate districts did not win her many delegates because the Latinos who came out in droves this year did not bother to vote much in the two previous general elections.
So we are seeing various pieces depending the ideas of the polling companies, as to whom to interview in Penn.
Also a difficulty: None of them are interviewing young people who use cell phones exclusively, and 200,000 new voters were registered in Pa, and no one knows who they will vote for, because if they do not own a land line phone they are not being polled at all.

[bruce becker]

Sorry NinaK I misread that you were the poster wondering about why Obama seems to be ahead in some polls and seems to be behind in others, *because there are lots of polls

[hinnis]

HERE IS A QUESTION I HAVE YET TO HAVE ANSWERED BY AN OBAMA SUPPORTER: If Hillary Clinton had been going to a "white centered" church for 20 years; the fundamental theology of the church was one of white versus black; the pastor of the church often made racist remarks against blacks, and blamed all of society’s ills on black people; the pastor of the church gave David Duke a lifetime achievement award; the church supported the terrorist group, Hamas; and Hillary considered this pastor her "mentor and spiritual adviser"; would you give her the pass that you are giving Obama. I doubt you could answer this question honestly, so I'll tell you what would happen: The righteous indignation of Obama and the media would rise up, the demand would be made that Hillary withdraw from the nomination process immediately, and Hillary's political career would be over, period.

[Orion]

Sure Jerimiah Wright has issues!!! But I am voting for Obama not Jerimiah Wright.

I take Obamas word that:
#1. He wasn't there.
#2. He strongly disagrees.
#3. That's NOT the message that Rev. Wright has been preaching EVERY SUNDAY for the last 20 years. They are only snippets from a few sermons.
#4. When Obama learned about the statements, he didn't feel he needed to leave the church because he knew the Rev. was about to retire.

But you say "He was a member for 20 years!"
Realistically... how much time do you think Obama has to really be deeply involved church? First of all he's been an extremely busy politician for years, and before that a busy lawyer. So that tells you right there that his church attendance was more than likely sporadic. Politicians and celebs go to church Christmas, Easter, and here and there in between. Obama is too caught up in world events to be concerned about the pastor or wrap his brain around what's going on at the chuch.

Believe me.... Obama is a smart enough man that if he KNEW his Rev was saying stuff like "God 'D' American" he would have booted him as far from his presidential campaign as the eye can see.

These politicians always attach themselves to some popular ministry when truthfully they really have no idea whats going on.
Being a 20 year member and actually sitting in the pews, deeply involved are two totally different things.

Obama 08

[bruce becker]

Your expression, He threw his grandmother under the bus is false.

What he said is that lots of people, including his white own grandmorther, say racist comments at different times and in moments, and there are people in his life on both sides of such commentary.

Dont you ever hear such talk or are you only spending time with a boy scout?
My great aunt says racist things about blacks. She also let me live with her when I graduated from college, while I started my career. I dont approve of her speech, but then her husband has been held up at gun point in NYC several times, and they were all by blacks.
Stop acting like you miss the point. The point is that nearly everyone says evil things about other groups sometimes. We are all sinners, all scared of difference.
Be in allowance and stop the pretense that Muslims are bad and stop the pretense that only whites are good.
Every ethnicity has its good points and faults, its rascists and its saints.
Wise up. Stay with the basics: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF.

[A concerned Brit]

There is a freshness, clarity and purpose about Obama which the other two hopefuls can never hope to achieve and it is these qualities that America desperately needs right now.

America, the world wants and needs to be able to respect you as a leader but respect does not stem from Guantanamo, Wolfowitz, WMD, Linking Iraq to 9/11, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Blackwater, Credit Crunch... The list goes on.

Please America, don't make the same mistake as last time. It's time for change.

[tony]

I regret that this blog comments section seems to be filled with nasty extremes. For those of us, normal, everyday, fairly intelligent and informed, but willing to listen folks::: I just want to say, I don't want a pathological liar in the White House, --caricatured in newspapers around the world. I just want someone who will bring respect back to the Oval Office, and in whom other nations and global allies wil trust and seek discourse and help.

[Orion]

To answer your question hinnus:

There would be nothing wrong with Hillary going to a church that catered to a specific CULTURE of people (example: Irish, Italian, Aisian, Russian, Samoan, German, Persian, african- american)
There are churches like that in america and black people are not offended if you go.

However the term "White Church" is not a culture. White is a broad category. That would be a church that centers around everyone in america except for anyone with color in their skin. That's when it seems pointless and all about skin color, not community or culture.

IT IS OK FOR A CHURCH TO DEDICATE SERVICE TO LIFTING UP A PARTICULAR COMMUNITY. (Afro- American, Asian, Persian, Jewish (which is white), Irish (which is white), Dutch (which is white). As long as they don't reject people out side of their race, no problem.

As far as the rest of what you said, "white verses black", "racist remarks against blacks".... first of all I would need to attend service my self before I can pass a judgement that that is the overall message of the church. Not base it off of 2 or 3 fifteen second sound bites (over a 30 period) that were directed at racism in America. (not necessarily white people in general.)
And then if I found the church to be foul, I would then let Hillary state her case regarding her attendance & involvement, her knowledge of the matter, what she feels about it and whether or not she agrees.

After all of that, I would then make a gut feeling judgement and decision about Hillary based on my own personal experience in watching and listening to her. I would examine her nature and her character during this nomination process, pray about it, and make my own decision as to whether or not she was truly a racist.

The reason why Obama seems to have emerged un-scaved through this whole event is because the American people have come to their own gut feeling conclusion about him, and they don't feel he is a racist.

Obama 08

[Summers Mist]

Yes Obama did throw his white grandmother under the bus.

In Obama's speech he says his grandmother once told him she was afraid of black men she passed on the street.

In his book DREAMS From My Fatrher, Page 88 he refers to this ONLY IT IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN HOW HE DESCRIBED IN HIS SPEECH!

He overhears his grandparents and walks in and asks his grandmother what is wrong.

She says "a man asked me for money yesterday. While I was waiting for the bus." Obama says "that's all". She says "her lips pursed with irritation." He was very aggressive, Barry. Very Aggressive. I gave him a dollar and he kept asking. If the bus hadn't come, I think he might have hit me over the head" Next Obama walks into the other room where Gramps is at & tells him "it's probably a little scary for her, seeing some big man block her way...."

His grandmother did not say the man was big or that he blocked her way.

ONE THING IS VERY CLEAR IN OBAMA'S BOOK DREAMS From My Father---HIS GRANDMOTHER NEVER SAID THE MAN WAS BLACK OR THAT THIS WAS THE REASON SHE WAS AFRAID!!!

Obama says on Page 88 he learned the harasser was black from his Grandfather--NOT GRANDMOTHER!!!

Obama is against at his grandmother's alleged racism, but had no problem with Jeremiah Wright's manifest racism.

[Kansas]

Summers Mist,

Whatever.

Did you choose your parents? Your ethnicity? Your race (or combination of race?) Your gender? Were you indoctrinated into a religion? Why is it that we have such a need to see color?

Obama accepted what he was given and used his excellent brain to achieve the American Dream. He is intelligent, articulate, in excellent physical shape, and empathetic toward those who haven't been as fortunate.
There is not one candidate that could better represent our country at home and abroad.

Please get over the racial biases, and twisted opinions, and decide if you want to continue to be ruled by the military-industrial complex!

[Summers Mist]

Hey, Kansas.

Did you read my post backwards or what?

Nowhere in my post did I say anything about anybodys color, except what I quoted about him lying about his white grandmother who he said,once told him she was afraid of black men she passed on the street. He either lied in his book, or lied in his speech. He tells a different story in his book.

Have you read Obama's book, Dreams From mt Father?

It is a sickeningly racist book "in his own words". His deep hatred toward whites is discussed in every chapter, and sometimes on every page in every chapter!

He ridicules his grandparents for the "world they were raised in."That was the world in which my grandparents had been raised, the dab-smack, landlocked center of the country, a place where decency & endurance & the pioneer spirit were joined at the hip with conformity and suspicion & the potential for unblinking cruelty" where white trash "farm boys" who got sewn into their woolen underwear at the beginning of winter and STANK LIKE PIGS as the months wore on." Page 13 DREAMS.

From Dreams of My Father, " I FOUND A SOLACE IN NURSING A PERVASIVE SENSE OF GRIEVANCE AND ANIMOSITY AGAINST MY MOTHER'S RACE".

From 'Dreams of My Father',
"I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites"

From Dreams Of My Father, "never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa, that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself..".

From Dreams Of My Father:
"That hate hadn't gone away," he wrote, blaming "white people — some cruel, some ignorant, sometimes a single face, sometimes just a faceless image of a system claiming power over our lives."

From Dreams Of My Father;
"There were enough of us on campus to constitute a tribe, and when it came to hanging out many of us chose to function like a tribe, staying close together, traveling in packs," he wrote. "It remained necessary to prove which side you were on,to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names"

Guess Obama didn't except what he was given after all, HUH?

[Summers Mist]

The Palmetto State: This nickname refers to South Carolina's official State Tree, the Sabal Palmetto. The Palmetto is rooted in historical significance dating back to the Revolutionary War. On June 28, 1776, the British fleet's attack on Sullivan's Island was repulsed. The palmetto-log fort, under Colonel William Moultrie, withstood the barrage of British cannons until the fleet retreated.

The Tarheel State: In North Carolina's early years, tar was one of the state's major products. Tar is a dark brown or black sticky liquid created by the decay of organic material such as wood, coal or peat. There are two contradictory stories about the origin of this nickname. Both stories concern Civil War battles in which North Carolina troops were involved.

John S. Farmer's Americanisms - Old and New, published in 1889, tells of a battle involving Mississippi and North Carolina soldiers. The story goes that, during a battle, a brigade of North Carolinians failed to hold their position. The Mississippians taunted the North Carolinians with failure to tar their heels that morning. They meant by this that, if the North Carolinians had tarred their heels, they would have been able to "stick" to or hold their position.

North Carolina soldiers come out of a story by Walter Clark looking a little more heroic. In Mr. Clark's story, the North Carolinians had to fight it out alone after their supporting column failed to hold their position. The story goes that the derelict outfit (It's implied that they were from the Army of Northern Virginia.) later asked "Any more tar down in the Old North State, boys?" The North Carolinians responded "No; not a bit old Jeff's bought it all up." "Is that so; what is he going to do with it?" the derelicts asked. The reply; "He's going to put it on you'ns heels to make you stick better in the next fight." "Old Jeff" is a reference to the President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis.

[mike]

hey, did anyone notice that the Obama's are socialists????
"This is what she said at a North Carolina campaign stop, and I quote. "The truth is most Americans don`t want much. Folks don`t want the whole pie." I do. But I have a fat man screaming to get out of me. "Most Americans feel blessed to thrive just a little bit." Well, good, let`s lower the bar. "But that`s out of reach for them." And then she continued, "The truth is, in order to get things like universal health care and a revamped education system, then someone is going to have to give up a piece of their pie so someone else can have more.""
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0804/10/gb.01.html

I do not know about you, but I want as big a piece of pie as I can get. This is scary stuff... Do NOT vote for these people.

thanks for reading.

[andrew of california]

IN 1992 THE CLINTONS WENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE TO FIX THINGS

- The only president ever impeached on grounds of personal malfeasance
- Most number of convictions and guilty pleas by friends and associates*
- Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation
- Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify
- Most number of witnesses to die suddenly
- First president sued for sexual harassment.
- First president accused of rape.
- First first lady to come under criminal investigation
- Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case
- First president to establish a legal defense fund.
- First president to be held in contempt of court
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad
- First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state court

IN 2008 LETS SEND THEM BACK TO FINISH THEIR JOB

________________________________________
Posted by BLACKSPIRIT3 at 02:20 PM : Apr 11, 2008

[andrew of california]

Leadership and taxes

“It’s important to have core principles and values, but if you’re going to be active in policy and politics, you have to be a realist.” —Hillary Clinton

“We’re saying that for America to get back on track, we’re going to cut short and not give it to you. We’re going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good.” —Hillary Clinton, in a 2004 fundraising speech to wealthy liberals in San Francisco

Bipartisanship and reaching across the isle

“I believe in evil, and I think that there are evil people in the world.” —Hillary Clinton, in 1993, stating her opinion not of the terrorists who had just bombed the World Trade Center for the first time in 1993, but of those who opposed her health care reform plan

“You have got to hand it to them, these people are ruthless and they are relentless.” —Sen. Hillary Clinton, just a few months after 9/11, giving her opinion of Republicans

Health care

“We just can’t trust the American people to make these types of decisions. …Government has to make these choices for people.” —Hillary Clinton circa 1993, speaking to Rep. Dennis Hastert on the issue of who should control the allocation of money in her health care reform plan

“We can’t afford to have that money go to the private sector. The money has to go to the federal government because the federal government will spend that money better than the private sector will spend it.” —First Lady Hillary Clinton, in 1993, regarding health care reform

Free speech

“We’re all going to have to rethink how we deal with the Internet. As exciting as these new developments are, there are a number of serious issues without any kind of editing function or gate-keeping function.” —First Lady Hillary Clinton, in 1998, days after the Monica Lewinsky story was reported

Blaming America

“I pledge allegiance to the America that can be.” —Hillary Clinton, reluctant to say the Pledge of Allegiance, according to Chris Matthews

“The unfettered free market has been the most radically disruptive force in American life in the last generation.” —Hillary Clinton

Imagination

“The fact of the matter is, I’ve always been a Yankees fan.” —Senate candidate Hillary Clinton, soon after launching her campaign in 1999, and ignoring prior public statements about growing up as a Cubs fan in Chicago

[Summers Mist]

I'm with you, Mike. I want as big a piece of pie as I can get too.

Don't worry. Obama won't get my vote.

[The Dealio]

Summer Mist, I hate to inform you... But your vote don't mean Jack. Obama is WINNING. HELLO!!

[Summers Mist]

The Dealio, I love to inform you, but my vote means just as much as your vote means.

Oh, and Obama hasn't won yet!, so don't count your chickens before they hatch!!

[Marshall Faircloth]

The quote about 'four times as many African-Americans' was actually referring to NEW registrants. Thanks

[michelle63]

Indiana, North Carolina, USA!

Barack Obama has a fresh, new vision to improve our economy, create new jobs, research alternative energy, make health care affordable for all and bring our troops home.

My vote is for "Barack Obama" for President of The United States.

Go, Barack!