Election '08: Florida Primary

[ICantSpellDawg]

Quoted in case Romney wins.



I guess I'm a Romney supporter now, too, since Fred's gone.

CR

YEAAAA!!! You won't regret it!

He's doing very well in the debates tonight, but they tried to slam him with a slimy question about his campaign funds, followed by his one about his faith.

[CountArach]

The New York Times will endorse Clinton and McCain in their respective Primaries.

[Xiahou]

I guess I'm a Romney supporter now, too, since Fred's gone.

Frankly, I don't care who wins at this point.
The only thing I ponder is if it would be better to risk 4yrs of Hillary so that we can have a chance at some real candidates in the next primaries. If McCain or Romney get elected we'll be stuck with them on the GOP side for 8yrs until we can choose a new nominee- that's a depressing prospect to me.

[ICantSpellDawg]

Frankly, I don't care who wins at this point.
The only thing I ponder is if it would be better to risk 4yrs of Hillary so that we can have a chance at some real candidates in the next primaries. If McCain or Romney get elected we'll be stuck with them on the GOP side for 8yrs until we can choose a new nominee- that's a depressing prospect to me.

As improbable as it would seem, I've wanted to see a Romney McCain ticket this entire time. When was the last time that the 1st place and runner up formed a tag team? When McCain ran against Bush I preferred McCain. I was also 8 years younger.

I know that they seem to hate each other, but they would shore it up with independents and I'm sure that come convention time if Mccain is down in the numbers that he'd listen to the proposal. Talk about re-uniting the coalition!

In fact, that would have always been my ideal team.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Well, if a Romney-McCain ticket does come about, and actually win, at least we wouldn't have to worry about McCain's vote in the Senate too often.

[Lemur]

Bob Novak has a couple of (unconfirmed) tidbits concerning the primaries:

First off, his data suggests that Thompson's departure is giving a bump to McCain. "Thompson did not endorse McCain, even though the former Senate colleagues are on close terms with each other. Nevertheless, McCain appears to have picked up much of Thompson's Florida voter support and now leads Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani in the last primary before Mega Tuesday Feb. 5."

Second item is kinda odd, but here it is:

Illinois Democrats close to Sen. Barack Obama are quietly passing the word that John Edwards will be named attorney general in an Obama administration.

Installation at the Justice Department of multimillionaire trial lawyer Edwards would please not only the union leaders supporting him for president but organized labor in general. The unions relish the prospect of an unequivocal labor partisan as the nation's top legal officer.

In public debates, Obama and Edwards often seem to bond together in alliance against front-running Sen. Hillary Clinton. While running a poor third, Edwards could collect a substantial bag of delegates under the Democratic Party's proportional representation. Edwards then could try to turn his delegates over to Obama in the still unlikely event of a deadlocked Democratic National Convention.

[ICantSpellDawg]

[Marshal Murat]

A look back

Now

Well, isn't America's attention span a little short? You hear little about Hsu, but Rezko, he's your puppet-master.

Also, alot of Floridians are voting today (early voting and all) and one of the local columnist lamented mailing his vote in, since Richardson dropped out.

[CountArach]

Has anyone got any live video streaming from any news outlet for SC?

[Marshal Murat]

ABC Report

Closest you'll get is a South Carolina news website, or Drudge.

Obama win, Hillary 2nd, Edwards 3rd

Hopefully this victory will drive Obama onward and upward Super-Tuesday.

[CountArach]

Wow... I am just stunned.

Obama's speech was one of the best speeches I have ever heard. Even as an Australian, he made me want to vote for him... I might come into a few legal problems, but screw it - I'll find a way...

[Marshal Murat]

Linky?

[Lemur]

Yeah, various people are saying it's the best speech they've ever heard. Somebody, please link. This I gotta see.

[Marshal Murat]

Fox News Transcript

Yes. We. Can.

"The following is a transcript of Barack Obama’s prepared remarks for his victory speech in Columbia, S.C.:

Over two weeks ago, we saw the people of Iowa proclaim that our time for change has come. But there were those who doubted this country’s desire for something new - who said Iowa was a fluke not to be repeated again.



Well, tonight, the cynics who believed that what began in the snows of Iowa was just an illusion were told a different story by the good people of South Carolina.



After four great contests in every corner of this country, we have the most votes, the most delegates, and the most diverse coalition of Americans we’ve seen in a long, long time.



They are young and old; rich and poor. They are black and white; Latino and Asian. They are Democrats from Des Moines and Independents from Concord; Republicans from rural Nevada and young people across this country who’ve never had a reason to participate until now. And in nine days, nearly half the nation will have the chance to join us in saying that we are tired of business-as-usual in Washington, we are hungry for change, and we are ready to believe again.



But if there’s anything we’ve been reminded of since Iowa, it’s that the kind of change we seek will not come easy. Partly because we have fine candidates in the field - fierce competitors, worthy of respect. And as contentious as this campaign may get, we have to remember that this is a contest for the Democratic nomination, and that all of us share an abiding desire to end the disastrous policies of the current administration.



But there are real differences between the candidates. We are looking for more than just a change of party in the White House. We’re looking to fundamentally change the status quo in Washington - a status quo that extends beyond any particular party. And right now, that status quo is fighting back with everything it’s got; with the same old tactics that divide and distract us from solving the problems people face, whether those problems are health care they can’t afford or a mortgage they cannot pay.



So this will not be easy. Make no mistake about what we’re up against.



We are up against the belief that it’s ok for lobbyists to dominate our government - that they are just part of the system in Washington. But we know that the undue influence of lobbyists is part of the problem, and this election is our chance to say that we’re not going to let them stand in our way anymore.



We are up against the conventional thinking that says your ability to lead as President comes from longevity in Washington or proximity to the White House. But we know that real leadership is about candor, and judgment, and the ability to rally Americans from all walks of life around a common purpose - a higher purpose.



We are up against decades of bitter partisanship that cause politicians to demonize their opponents instead of coming together to make college affordable or energy cleaner; it’s the kind of partisanship where you’re not even allowed to say that a Republican had an idea - even if it’s one you never agreed with. That kind of politics is bad for our party, it’s bad for our country, and this is our chance to end it once and for all.



We are up against the idea that it’s acceptable to say anything and do anything to win an election. We know that this is exactly what’s wrong with our politics; this is why people don’t believe what their leaders say anymore; this is why they tune out. And this election is our chance to give the American people a reason to believe again.



And what we’ve seen in these last weeks is that we’re also up against forces that are not the fault of any one campaign, but feed the habits that prevent us from being who we want to be as a nation. It’s the politics that uses religion as a wedge, and patriotism as a bludgeon. A politics that tells us that we have to think, act, and even vote within the confines of the categories that supposedly define us. The assumption that young people are apathetic. The assumption that Republicans won’t cross over. The assumption that the wealthy care nothing for the poor, and that the poor don’t vote. The assumption that African-Americans can’t support the white candidate; whites can’t support the African-American candidate; blacks and Latinos can’t come together.



But we are here tonight to say that this is not the America we believe in. I did not travel around this state over the last year and see a white South Carolina or a black South Carolina. I saw South Carolina. I saw crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children. I saw shuttered mills and homes for sale that once belonged to Americans from all walks of life, and men and women of every color and creed who serve together, and fight together, and bleed together under the same proud flag. I saw what America is, and I believe in what this country can be.



That is the country I see. That is the country you see. But now it is up to us to help the entire nation embrace this vision. Because in the end, we are not just up against the ingrained and destructive habits of Washington, we are also struggling against our own doubts, our own fears, and our own cynicism. The change we seek has always required great struggle and sacrifice. And so this is a battle in our own hearts and minds about what kind of country we want and how hard we’re willing to work for it.



So let me remind you tonight that change will not be easy. That change will take time. There will be setbacks, and false starts, and sometimes we will make mistakes. But as hard as it may seem, we cannot lose hope. Because there are people all across this country who are counting us; who can’t afford another four years without health care or good schools or decent wages because our leaders couldn’t come together and get it done.



Theirs are the stories and voices we carry on from South Carolina.



The mother who can’t get Medicaid to cover all the needs of her sick child - she needs us to pass a health care plan that cuts costs and makes health care available and affordable for every single American.



The teacher who works another shift at Dunkin Donuts after school just to make ends meet - she needs us to reform our education system so that she gets better pay, and more support, and her students get the resources they need to achieve their dreams.



The Maytag worker who is now competing with his own teenager for a $7-an-hour job at Wal-Mart because the factory he gave his life to shut its doors - he needs us to stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship our jobs overseas and start putting them in the pockets of working Americans who deserve it. And struggling homeowners. And seniors who should retire with dignity and respect.



The woman who told me that she hasn’t been able to breathe since the day her nephew left for Iraq, or the soldier who doesn’t know his child because he’s on his third or fourth tour of duty - they need us to come together and put an end to a war that should’ve never been authorized and never been waged.



The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. It’s not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white.



It’s about the past versus the future.



It’s about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today, or whether we reach for a politics of common sense, and innovation - a shared sacrifice and shared prosperity.



There are those who will continue to tell us we cannot do this. That we cannot have what we long for. That we are peddling false hopes.



But here’s what I know. I know that when people say we can’t overcome all the big money and influence in Washington, I think of the elderly woman who sent me a contribution the other day - an envelope that had a money order for $3.01 along with a verse of scripture tucked inside. So don’t tell us change isn’t possible.



When I hear the cynical talk that blacks and whites and Latinos can’t join together and work together, I’m reminded of the Latino brothers and sisters I organized with, and stood with, and fought with side by side for jobs and justice on the streets of Chicago. So don’t tell us change can’t happen.



When I hear that we’ll never overcome the racial divide in our politics, I think about that Republican woman who used to work for Strom Thurmond, who’s now devoted to educating inner-city children and who went out onto the streets of South Carolina and knocked on doors for this campaign. Don’t tell me we can’t change.



Yes we can change.



Yes we can heal this nation.



Yes we can seize our future.



And as we leave this state with a new wind at our backs, and take this journey across the country we love with the message we’ve carried from the plains of Iowa to the hills of New Hampshire; from the Nevada desert to the South Carolina coast; the same message we had when we were up and when we were down - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope; and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people in three simple words:



Yes. We. Can."

I'll be frank,
I cried. I wept and wept, after reading this. I'm still crying. My body is still shaking, quivering, moving. My emotions are twisted, turning, churning. I've felt this emotion only once before, standing at the WW2 memorial on that spring day. I cried then, and I'm crying now. I've read or heard many of the great speeches. George Washington, Patrick Henry, MLK, Kennedy, FDR. Then I read this, and, it was fantastic. It was, inspiring, hopeful. For one of the few times in my life, I've connected, and it was fantastic.

[Caius]

I wonder, is there going to be a thread for every state?

[ICantSpellDawg]

Obama's speech was excellent. I hope that he is the next President - I sense reasonable intent. I know that Republicans really have little shot and I've never been all that fond of McCain; He has no business running for President, he's out of his league. If Romney is beaten out by McCain, I honestly don't think I'll vote (unless Hillary is the nominee)

Obama said he'd like to give big tax breaks to companies that keep jobs stateside. As conservative I can understand that, even though it is essentially a tariff. I have been pushing the issue myself.

I think that almost all of us, both at home and abroad can unite in the fight against Hillary. Hopefully that sentiment comes out in the final election.

[ICantSpellDawg]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpu...-obama-is.html

What a piece of garbage. The Clintons use people as fuel for their ambition; once their usefulness wears out, expect a betrayal. What happens when America loses their interest?

Great quality for a Presidential candidate. Or Two.

[Marshal Murat]

1st - Anyone have Barack Obama's email? I've got some words for him...

2nd - Now I'm tired. Tired of Hillary, tired of Bill, tired of 'them'. I'm tired, disgusted, and disappointed. I'm voting for Obama.

[CountArach]

Here you go MM:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/contact/

Thanks for that transcript as well - I can't wait to watch that speech again once it comes up on YouTube.

[Lemur]

Dang, even the NRO is being gracious about Obama:

Barack Obama's speech tonight was simply exceptional — and a reminder of why he is one of the most remarkable political talents in our lifetime. He was able to speak in ways that seem to rise above conventional politics, even as he was able to masterfully push back against the Clinton attacks of the last several weeks. His capacity to touch and stir authentic emotions is remarkable. And unlike Clinton and especially Edwards, the Obama message is about unity, not divisions; and hopes rather than grievances. If Obama wins the Democratic nomination, Republicans have a great deal to fear. He has tremendous break-out potential.

[Marshal Murat]

Do we need to create another sub-forum for this subject?

Youtube Victory Speech

[ICantSpellDawg]

Hillary Clinton is like an unholy alliance; the worst of the Democratic party coupled with the worst of the G.O.P.

She would represent the downward decline of the United States personified.

Please for all of our sakes vote Obama.

[Csargo]

Where's Nader?

I read Obama's speech and it was quite moving I have to say. I'd like to actually hear it though.

Edit:Oh, MM put one up.

[Marshal Murat]

I preferred reading it opposed to video.
When reading it, you don't get the chants and applause, which breaks the flow of thought, but whatever helps...

[JAG]

Go to the BBC website - er here have this link - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7210389.stm

Click on the right the 'Democrats cast their votes' and in that you can also view, seperately, the speech Obama made.

Quite a speech, I have to agree. If the Dems don't vote for this guy and then the US don't vote for this guy, I think the world will finally loose what little respect and hope we had in the US electorate after the previous 2 votes. ;)

He is quite some candidate and will be a good President, at least in my opinion, he has been above and beyond all the other candidates from both parties the entire race so far - he can speak to the heart of people not even blimming American! I hope he wins, for the Dems sake as well as all of ours!

[CountArach]

I preferred reading it opposed to video.
When reading it, you don't get the chants and applause, which breaks the flow of thought, but whatever helps...

But the problem I have with reading it is that you don't get the atmosphere and energy that he has the power to create in a room.

And lol Ichigo - I agree, why isn't Nader in these polls? I heard that he had endorsed Edwards though.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Dangit, Hillary's shooting herself in the foot. How is the GOP supposed to win with Obama running for the dems?

Good thing only Americans can vote in America*

CR
*Unless you come to Washington, where the dead and criminals vote early and often.

[Lemur]

Never worry, CR, there's a long way from here to there, and I expect to see every legal, political and criminal trick on display as Billary fight for their birthright. I don't understand why the Dems can't figure out that the Clintons are toxic at this date, but whatever.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I think some might just be realizing that the Clintons will pull every trick in the book to win. But its only a few faint whispers of realization - like, hey, Obama didn't really say that.

Anyways, I'm giving up on Romney and am throwing my support behind the true juggernaut candidate;
http://video.ap.org/v/Default.aspx?g...flmih&fg=email for President (yes, of the United States!). For Experiencing the Hopefulness of Change! And a clock.

And the great thing is he's a libertarian kind of guy:

For them, the question is always, "What kind of government intervention should we impose on the world?" They never think that maybe we shouldn't.

and:

I don't think the press has done a very good job dealing with government spending. The Defense Department with the $9,500 toilet seat, that' s not the problem anymore. Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security are the problem. That's us. That's our generation. There the press never says a word.

We certainly never require politicians to ever address those issues except really briefly sometimes during the New Hampshire primary, and then everybody falls asleep.

And that was back in 1994.

CR

[Louis VI the Fat]

Wow. What a great speech by Obama. Who wrote it - Mel Gibson?

Can't wait to get the DVD. Does he do Mel's 'freedoooom!' yell at the end?

Nicely tucked away sneers at the other Dem candidates too. Apparently Obama wants to end old political demonisation of opponents by, let me get this right, demonising his political opponents. Quite a refreshing change.



Wake me up when Obama starts to actually talk about policies, instead of simply channelling America's anger with Washington towards a pretty poster boy with deep coffers and great speech writers.*

*BTW, I thought Hollywood writers were still on strike? Our fairy tale prince charming isn't breaking any strikes, I hope?