April 29 - May 5 exchanges

Actually, it may have been a national poll on the proposed gas tax holiday, so that does not necessarily help out Obama. I don't really know the appearance schedules for the candidates - I just heard it stated with awe and wonder that Bill would have that many appearances today. The Clintons really want to make N.C. competitive. Of course, my worse nightmare is that Obama would lose both IN and NC. I think I would be so upset I wouldn't even be able to come into work on Wednesday. No matter how I've tryed, I can't stop taking all this so personally.

Wright has not shown up in any public venue I've heard of - but of course Obama is asked about him all the time. Despite heavy criticism - what did Wright say on Monday that was so different then he said previously? - I thought Obama answered this well - Wright had a chance to put his remarks in context and he had a chance to not be divisive - instead he was totally the opposite. Makes perfect sense to me, but then, I am so prejudiced in Obama's favor, I don't think I can objectively tell what is reasonable any more. If he says it, it's reasonable!

- - Ing, May 5, 2008


Interesting how former President Clinton is now running around rural parts of N.C. At the start of the campaign he was in urban areas while nothing was done in rural areas. How many appearances are scheduled for Hillary Clinton and Obama in Indiana?

With whom is Obama getting traction with on calling out Sens. Clinton and McCain on the fuel tax pandering? People who already voted/would support Obama, uncommitted superdelegates, or with anyone that has yet to vote?

- - Fair, May 5, 2008


I thought Obama did will in the various media interviews I saw over the weekend. This morning I heard Cokie Roberts on NPR say that he was getting some traction out of accusing Hillary of pandering on the federal gas tax holiday, so-called. But Bill is out there in North Carolina all day today, with NINE appearances in the rural parts. So much for Obama being able to to put all his efforts into Indiana.

But really, why should people decide who to vote for, based on the candidate visiting their town or state? What difference does it make, once the person is elected? Wow - candidate A came to my town for 15 minutes! So they will be the best president for me! Ridiculous.

- - Ing, May 5, 2008


Here's reinforcement for your Obama/Bayh ticket proposal. - - Ing, May 1, 2008

[begin quote]
May 1, 2008
Major Clinton backer switches to Obama
Posted: 10:35 AM ET
(CNN) — Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Joe Andrew — who was appointed to that post in 1999 by then-President Clinton — is withdrawing his endorsement of Hillary Clinton, and backing Barack Obama instead.
Andrew, who made a Thursday morning appearance at Obama's state headquarters in Indianapolis, said the time had come to "heal the rift in this party and unite behind Barack Obama now."
On a conference call with reporters and Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, Andrew said superdelegates need to make their decisions "now." He added that he'd like to see Obama pick Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh — a strong Clinton backer who has said the Jeremiah Wright controversy would pose general election problems for the Illinois senator — as his running mate.
"I'm going to be an advocate for an Obama/Bayh ticket," he said. Andrew will be doing local media interviews Thursday, and appearing at campaign events Friday.
Andrew released a letter Thursday morning explaining his decision. "Many will ask, why now? Why, with several primaries still remaining, with Senator Clinton just winning Pennsylvania, with my friend Evan Bayh working hard to make sure Senator Clinton wins Indiana, why switch now? Why call for super delegates to come together now to constructively pick a president?"
"The simple answer is that while the timing is hard for me personally, it is best for America. We simply cannot wait any longer, nor can we let this race fall any lower and still hope to win in November. June or July may be too late. The time to act is now."
The Indiana superdelegate served as party chairman from 1999 through 2001. He had endorsed Hillary Clinton last year, on the day she officially announced her White House bid.
With the switch, Clinton's lead over Obama among the party's superdelegates stands at 19.
Indiana voters head to the polls on Tuesday.
In response to Andrew, Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said, "We have seen record turnout in state after state because Democrats are excited and enthusiastic about this primary process."
"On Tuesday, Hoosiers will have their turn to come out in record numbers and support their candidate. We support that Democratic process and think that every American should be able to weigh in and support the candidate of his or her own choosing."
[end quote]

I've also heard that the windfall profits tax would be very hard to pass and implement - it's been done before - decades ago? - and the results were not as expected. But it sure sounds good to Joe and Jo-ann blue collar voter, doesn't it?

- - Ing, April 30, 2008


Her fuel tax holiday included a provision to replace the lost revenue with a windfall profits tax on Big Oil. You're right - without addressing supply and causing increased demand would render the entire charade a waste of time. Props to Obama. McCain's was the one that left the trust fund in the hole recklessly.

- - Fair, April 30, 2008


So Hillary went to a gas station in Indiana - did she change a car's oil? ;->

No, I know, she talked about the stupid gas tax holiday. Economists have thoroughly pooh-poohed the idea. Dropping the price slightly at the height of the driving season would cause drivers to drive more, but supply would not rise, so the price would rise, consumers would be worse off, the Highway Trust Fund would lose billions - POOF - stupid pandering on both her and McCain's parts.

Some are saying - I tend to agree - that Wright did Obama a favor for being so egomaniacal and so unable to resist - IT'S ALL ABOUT ME-ism - and so unable to stop repeating his most radical beliefs. It gave Obama perfect cover to totally break from someone that he said a few weeks ago, "he could no more disown then disown the black community or his white grandmother." I'm feeling good - I think Obama will get out this - scathed (as opposed to unscathed), but still on top after next Tuesday, and still looking good enough to the supers.

- - Ing, April 30, 2008


I'm not sure if it matters if it was too late for Obama to respond. It is still being discussed in the news - overshadowing Hillary's trip to an Indiana gas station (which I only read about by accident). I think McCain will "hold fire" for a while - at least until a debate. However, the republican party in general and/or other political groups will be all over the Rev. Wright story non-stop. That's my feeling.

I'm not sure what to expect from Hillary, actually. She could alienate about half the dems if she does bring up the topic or, for her sake, hope the media and republicans keep fanning the flames without her help (which is what appears to be happening).

- - Fair, April 30, 2008


I'm hopeful, of course, that Obama's press conference yesterday afternoon in Salem, North Carolina, will lay to rest how much the Rev. Wright's words and views should be mashed onto Obama - not at all, anymore! But in a few scans of commentary and reporting, online and on cable, there is hedging. Did he do enough? Some say yes, others are not sure. Was it too late? More say yes, but some say it was timely enough. Impact on Indiana and N.C. primaries in less than a week? Hard to say, but the pundits expect there will definitely be an impact. As of this moment, Hillary and McCain both seem to be holding their fire, but I don't think that will last - especially not on Hillary's part.

- - Ing, April 30, 2008


I haven't read up on the exact legal mechanism for the governor to use - I've just read that there is such a mechanism. I wonder how hard it is. After the budget fiasco last fall, I don't think Jennifer has much stomach for something hard, esp. if it is not absolutely required. And who knows how much stomach she has at all, after her emergency surgery (yesterday? this morning?) - oops - was that mean?

- - Ing, April 30, 2008


I think it would "impress" old-school suburban voters. Based on history in this election my guess is that Obama will clean up in Detroit. Maybe she would hope this would be the headline:

"Clinton-supporter removes embattled mayor from office; 'We need to move on' claims gov.'"

- - Fair, April 30, 2008


Granholm is a lame duck now, for Michigan. I'm sure, no matter what she says, she would leave "us" to join a Clinton Administration if asked. Maybe taking out Kwame would impress Hillary. . .

- - Ing, April 30, 2008


About Mayor Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty's text messages... WOW! This recent set released got somewhat personal, at least for Councilwoman Cockerel, Sharon McPhail and the members/former members of DPD. Kilpatrick's sister texting how the City is full of idiot's ... what was she thinking. Honestly?

If Granholm chooses not to get any more involved I think nothing will change.

If Granholm chooses to act and remove the mayor from office - it will be good for her among suburban residents; not sure what think about what affect it would have to her popularity in Detroit - I'm not too sure the mayor (and now his sister) are too popular, but, again, I don't know.

- - Fair, April 30, 2008


Now we're cooking with gas! Obama is doing everything the morning pundits said he needed to do - the Rev. Wright of yesterday is not the Rev. Wright I met 20 years ago. Our relationship may be damaged irreparably, perhaps unintentional on Wright's part, but nonetheless damaged. Rev. Wright does not accurately reflect the black church in America -

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/29/obama.wright/index.html

Just because Obama said these things at this time doesn't mean only political expediency - it will look like that to some. But it's like the saying, sometimes someone really is watching you (and it isn't just paranoia).

Be sure and check out the Freep when you can - breaking news about text message releases in the Kwame case.

- - Ing, April 29, 2008


I read several news and opinion pieces about Wright over lunch. Maybe one out of 20 pundits had anything good to say about Wright. Since I strongly desire to be optimistic about Obama, all I can hope for is that 1) better to come out now than close to the general election; 2) maybe Obama will finally "throw his pastor under the bus," given recent statements by Wright; and 3) maybe what doesn't "kill" Obama "will make him stronger." If he can find a way, away from Wright, that calms whites and does not alienate blacks, then perhaps he can contain and diminish the damage. Seems a tall order, though . . .

- - Ing, April 29, 2008


I was unaware of Rev. Wright's actions over the past two days and only became aware of what he was doing while watching TV. I can't even begin to think of the hurt from this. While Obama has done NOTHING wrong; he will no doubt bear the brunt of any negative reaction - either now in the primary or in several months against John McCain.

I think he may loose his "down ticket" (and super delegate) support - I read how the republicans are running ads in the south against Dem. House candidates comparing the subject candidate, Obama AND Wright to "conservative 'American' values" offered by the republican candidates (the same values of Larry Craig??).

I hope this does not derail Obama's campaign. Sad if this is the launch for Hillary.

- - Fair, April 29, 2008