Barack Obama willing to concede Indiana

When Barack Obama took the stage to bask in his big victory in North Carolina's Democratic presidential primary, all but one of the television networks remained unwilling to call the day's other contest, the primary in Indiana.

But Obama showed no such hesitation, saying early in his remarks that he wanted to congratulate Hillary Clinton "on what appears to be her victory in the great state of Indiana."

Maybe Obama has great confidence in the number-crunchers at CBS, the one network that had broken from the pack earlier and given Indiana to Clinton. But more likely, his comment was simply in line with the tone he clearly sought to strike -- gracious about triumphing in North Carolina by a comfortable, and politically important, margin and anxious to start healing fissures within Democratic ranks.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of Obama's speech was his reference to exit poll findings that a growing portion of his partisans and -- to an even greater degree -- some Clinton backers are saying they would be unwilling to line up behind the Democratic nominee in November if their choice does not prevail.

"I don't believe it," Obama said, launching into a brief discourse on the need for Democrats to remember which side they truly need to be on.

Even as he spoke, the race in Indiana got closer -- with about three-quarters of the vote in there, Clinton's lead had shrunk to ...

... 4 percentage points.

But having easily won the race he could not afford to lose -- North Carolina -- and in doing so maintaining his edge in eventually nailing down the nomination, he was in no mood to quibble.

He also was back in his comfort zone, stressing themes of reconciliation throughout his speech, as well as emphasizing that he would keep to his commitment to running a "different" kind of campaign that accentuates the positive. And he devoted more time than usual to his family's background, obviously with an eye to chipping away at the "elitist" tag.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Bloomberg News

[Update: Many thanks to the many readers who caught the various typos in the first draft of this item, posted with undue haste, and not enough care, as it turned out] 

Comments

[Media Observer]

MEGA STORY OF THE NIGHT: North Carolina voters decided to reject televised media distractions from serious policy problems facing the nation. Stern repudiation to the nonsense peddled by Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos. America is paying attention. http://acropolisreview.com/2008/04/stephen-colbert-on-media-vs-facts-truth.html

[Peter Noble]

The fact Indiana is not a wipe out victory for Clinton speaks volumes. Why cannot she wipe him out? Only 5 months ago she was the presumed nominee and Obama was a joke. Despite all the lies and the evil she allows to utter, anything to win, she will win Indiana but by a tiny majority. I'm so happy that despite Limbaugh's massive support she cannot win with a game changing margin. Without the Republicans it looks like Obama would have won both primaries.

[M. A. Regier]

Believe it, Mr. Obama -- I don't think you can take back that finger gesture of April 17 when speaking of Senator Clinton. How do you think her supporters felt? I'll sit this out if you are the nominee.

[paul]

North Carolina's population is over 30% black. That statistic alone should put this "huge win" for Obama in the proper perspective.

[M. A. Regier]

Believe it, Mr. Obama -- I don't think you can take back that finger gesture of April 17 when speaking of Senator Clinton. How do you think her supporters felt? I'll sit this out if you are the nominee.

[vbonnaire]

Election Journal has evidence of his campaign cheating, shown in this video of Crooked Creek in Indiana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiM-6ZnW2LI

this pic from NYT shows the same thing in Wyoming
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/us/politics/09wyoming.html

look at the guy in the center casting his ballot--in California we call this cheating, don't we?

What else does he plan on doing to win this election?

[Chris]

There's a typo in the second sentence of the third paragraph: 'wsa' should be 'was'.

[Alex]

No comment, just a question. Don't you guys have editors? How could you miss this? "But more likely, it wsa simply in line with the tone he clearly sought to strike "

[simonsays]

I am really surprised to read the coverage of some medias in our country. MSNBC is saying somewhere that Barack's victory in NC is "racially lopsided" REally what the hell does this means? So when HC wins by huge margin in Pensylvania because we whites voted mostly for her, isn't her victory there as in NHampshire et elsewhere racially motivated?
I believe we have to face reality. As long as people and medias want this country to be divided, we will be divided. MSNBC is a big shame to keep beating Obama's name after all what this guy has endured..

[stephane mot]

BHO graceful as usual.

Unlike HRC, who won Indiana only because of a karlrovish campaign (bonus : Rush Limbaugh's Operation Chaos). Clinton is bound to either win ugly or lose uglier.

Indiana is hers : she keeps a 40k vote edge even in the late / big cities (Chaos indeed). I don't see a 70% Obama lead on the less than 200k votes remaining

[Paul Grzymkowski]

wsa? pervail? Even this comment box is telling me those aren't real words. Nothing says "top news story" like one that's riddled with typos.

[Lucien BONNET (LAVAL, CANADA0]

RE:
Barack Obama willing to concede Indiana
--------------------------------------------------
AND:
Caroline Kennedy

Lucien --

My father called on Americans to ask what they could do for their country.

Those who answered his call built a movement that transformed our country and brought out the best in our national character.

Barack Obama has followed in that tradition -- dedicating himself to public service as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago and then as a state and U.S. Senator.

Now, Barack is calling on a new generation of leaders to get involved and help transform this country...
---------------------

LETTER TO SENATOR BARACK OBAMA
Montreal, February 20, 2008

SENATOR OBAMA ,

The whole world has its eyes on you, on The United States Of America and its people.

Everyone expects you to be democratically elected and see that something happen in America.

In March 1983, one of humanity's most famous spokesmen, Pope John Paul II, came to our country - 'Haîti' - and loudly proclaimed what each and every one of us had been whispering:

'Something must change here.'

Today, more than ever, a lot of people of The United States of America stand up, longing for something and working to make something happen.

And, like in March 9, 1983, beloved Haiti, History - (which from then and now on rests in thy hands) - tells thee: "it is now time to let people speak to thee of love!', let's say today': 'Go thou America ahead and show us thy true countenance in a positive light.' It is up to everyone to play his or her part in order to let thee regain thy mark of excellence !"

With this letter, I am communicating with You, Senator Obama, and with the whole people of The United States of America.

You offer this country what it takes to be a 'Wonderfull Land.' Yes, let us say 'with a great people living together.'

Go thou, America, go ahead, following in the footsteps of one of thy sons who is now becoming one of thy statesmen.

With this in mind, Mr.Obama, to whom else could I entrust this letter sent to his Holiness Pope John Paul II when he set foot on Haitian soil for the first time, as well as its acknowledgment by the Vatican?

That letter to Pope John Paul II is intended to draw attention to the problem posed by anti-Black discrimination and its negative repercussions on the advancement of scientific progress in the West, and more precisely in the realm of Optics.

In the Western world, according to Newton's widely accepted theory, white is considered to be the synthesis of all colors. Actually, the opposite is true. White constitutes the analysis or 'visible' decoding of light or color, whereas black is its synthesis or 'invisible' composition.

In other words, darkness or blackness and, we might add, "Black Holes'"- a scientific misnomer designating invisible stars or 'Black Suns' - are a source of energy and light.

That basic raw material of light energy culminates, in its most radiant form, in the neutralization of all the colors of the spectrum in the form of so-called "white light."

Therefore "absolute blackness", the absorption of all the colors, is a divisible component of light. Needless to say, Newton's theory gives only a partial interpretation of the notion of light, by excluding black. Our contribution aims at demonstrating that the black color is not only an integral part of the color process, but its true synthesis. Light is therefore shown to be a divisible whole comprising an intensity or color scale in which black is the invisible or 'absorbed' form of the energy in question.

Allow me, Senator Obama, in order to support my statement concerning Black Holes and radiation, to pose a question asked by Hubert Reeves, Doctor of nuclear astrophysics and Scientific Consultant to NASA:

"What would have become of the Sun, if it were plunged into a high temperature radiance like the one that existed at the beginning of the Universe? [our translation]"

"Instead of emitting light, it would absorb it and, in the end, it would be completely reabsorbed into the cosmic fluid."

The cosmic fluid is what, due to an "optical mistake", is called "darkness" or the "blackness of space". We are talking about the electromagnetic flux, that immeasurable ocean in which the planets and stars are bathed, like the sea which links all the continents together. Darkness is thus "The Sea of Space."

"What would have happened if, instead of an ordinary star like the "White Sun", a Black Hole or "Black Sun" were injected into that primordial radiation?

"According to Einsteinian Physics, a Black Hole is a place where gravity is so formidably intense that nothing can escape it, not even visible light. Such a hole should suck in and absorb radiation and increase its own mass: E=MC2, always."

"But after Einstein came Bohr, Heisenberg, and Quantum Physic. From then on, nothing was the same as before.

"The Einsteinian version of the Black Hole is equivalent to a statement that the matter inside the Black Hole is definitely there to stay, in that volume of space. Let us quote Hubert Reeves: "Such an absolute statement is thus contrary to the "Quantum spirit", affirming that nothing is definitely localized in one place. There is always a probability of escape. If the enclosing wall is too high, a tunnel will be dug; if the prisoners are patient, they will escape. One has only to wait. [our translation]"

"According to that principle, Black Holes "evaporate." Matter constantly escapes as radiation. Black Holes "shine!" Their surfaces behave like those of any body heated to a certain temperature and that radiation endlessly feeds that marvelous "Cosmic Fluid" which, wrongly and in bad faith, people keep calling "Darkness."

Nigra sum "sed" formosa. Yes, but should we not say instead, I am black "and" comely? Darkness, which is both source and vehicle of light, does not have to defend itself for being the beautiful and infinitely discreet raw material of the Universe. Darkness is the "Mother of the Universe."

Also, beautiful and discreet art thou, Haiti. Discreet, yes, but never outshone! Just like the Black Virgin who inspires and sheds her love on thee from the hilltop and even beyond Cité Soleil (Sun City).

Our purpose was to offer a more constructive approach aiming at correcting the abusive traditional, so-called scientific, theories of Optics. That is why, we wrote to that authentic witness to the signs of this age, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the prophet of the new era.

Congratulations to You, Sir, and congratulations to the people of The United States Of America, for having made it possible for this day to mark the beginning of a "New Era of Hope !"

Lucien Bonnet

PLease, SEE :
LETTER TO POPE JOHN-PAUL II
in 'BILL A RI AND THERE WAS LIGHT !
http://www.contact-canadahaiti.ca
Posted by: Lucien BONNET | May 6, 2008 at 10:45 PM

[David in NC]

Checking in from North Carolina — Yes, we're repudiating the nastiness here. Obama did strike the right tone in his speech, but more importantly in his campaign. It's a pleasure to see, and we're celebrating tonight in the Tar Heel State.

[Eric]

Clinton's isn't for real. The voters have spoken. They want Obama!

[Larvae]

I'm a 58 year old female. Finally, there is a candidate who seems capable of changing the way politics works. And I think Barack Obama has a lot of backing with other politicians. It's interesting that some Democrats backed Obama early on. Wouldn't you think Clinton was the next in line? Can there be a core group of politicians who really want to do what's right, and they see Clinton as just another member of the status quo? Remember the gas lines in the 70's? The 55 mile an hour speed limit on federal highways? Are you as disgusted as I am that nothing has been done to encourage alternative energy sources? I believe Obama can put us back on the right track.

[John D Hyatt]

The best chance the Republicans have of winning is if Obama gets the nomination. America is just not ready for a black President and surly not ready for a white hating American hating OBAMA. I am a life long democrat that will vote Republican as will all the people I know. I will move from this country before i call OBAMA my President.

[Arnold Peabody]

When are you in the media going to admit what people with e-mail already know, that Barack Obama isn't Afro-American, he's ARAB-American, 50% white (mother was 100%), 44% arab (father was 88%) and 6% black (father was 12%). Also, his father officially listed himself as arab.

Additionally, what about his wife's racist college thesis on white racism at her college, and the student survey she did to try to prove her racist ideas? She stated that she was disappointed that her fellow students didn't share her racist beliefs! Their 20-year association with Wright since then, her "America is mean" and "pride" statements on national tv show that her thinking hasn't changed. How many ordinary people would be dumb enough to say those things on TV if they were hoping to become First Lady? Imagine what she might say if he won! Will she still be proud of America after he loses?
May God forbid that those two succeed in getting to the White House!

Lightnin'

[Steven Yang]

Barack Hussein Obama win NC by by a margin that is racialistic that is the black votes. All along his winning is along racial ground the black votes. The black have voted racially, how stupid the white are

[Michael Mouse]

It's a great night for the Republicans, for there is no way yet that an African-American gets elected president in the general election.

[Stephen]

I have been a life long Democrat, but I will never vote for Obama, McCain got my vote this time.

[Fred]

Racism- Schmasism.

Obama is half white. Is he really that "scary" to Whites?

I just don't get that . . . listen to what he says . . . listen to what Hillary says . . . all they both offer are "just words" at this point . . . whose words mean more to you? Vote your conscience and hear. Don't vote for him because he's "Black" and don't vote for her because she's a "Woman"- vote for what they stand for-

[Larry Oregon]

LOL! Wayto go times. Concede? The contest hasn't even been finalized. so far 4 points seems like she got stomped. What happened to the supposid 8 point lead? HAHA!

[Barry]

I am amazed that out of 350 million Americans that I am left with these 3 people to choose from? I am backing Hilary but if she doesn't get the nomination it looks like I will have to switch parties after 25 years.

I've always disliked Rush Limbaugh but in times like these I am reminded of the saying "My enemies, enemy is my friend".

[lukemusiclife]

How can you say the country is not ready for a "black" president? He is not even stereotypically "black" for you republican loser who made that comment. Everyone knows that black people haven't been put in line to be president so it would be "unprecidented". Thats why we know there will at least be change because he came from not the usual presidential upbringing. Hillary is a wife of a former president! A woman would be fine but can we just agree we need one that doesn't have a name and belief of a former president? I mean didn't we learn our lesson with the Bush duo and politics 1980 - present? They are more concerned about helping themselves than the country... why do you think Bill had to sleep around even as President? And his wife could be our next? Get real.

[Kitade]

How can anyone believe either Hillary or Bill and voted for them? Tthese two country hicks will do and say anything, power has gone to their heads. Remember he looked us in the face, pointed his finger at us and said "I did not have sex with that woman." when the truth came out I believed him. Hillary I dodged sniper fire, when the tapes came out she laughed in our faces