Once upon a time Saint Barak Obama, a  man who has never done any wrong ( maybe smoked a little dope, cocaine, boozed, goofed off in school, lied a little) met with a king from another land called Olmert...Saint Obama pledged his Army to support King Olmert.  Olmert hugged the great Obama.  They held hands, sang "KUMBAYA".  

And they all lived happily ever after.


As told to the Easter Bunny by Santa Claus

Senator Obama supports efforts to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians.  Except for End of Days advocates (and perhaps ultra-Zionists who want to rebuild the Temple),  isn't this a good thing?  And the fact that Olmert took the call suggests that the Israelis, if not the world view Obama as a top tier candidate.  Doesn't it appear that the world HOPES America will come to is senses and reengage in the world for postive ends? And the pay off for us - improvement in our national security, building up of alliances, and the staunching of billions of dollars abroad on war.

I really "hope" that we can turn the page on Bill and Hillary Clinton. I voted for Bill twice, enjoy his personality, but he and Hillary need to work on their legacy at their own house, NOT the White House.

P.S. lol about Saint Barak Obama - it really is frustrating you guys that you can't find any juicy dirt on him, huh?

Why is it that so many Hillary supporters suffer from the illusion that she is the most electable candidate, when polls show that isn't true.  Common sense shows that isn't true.  Hillary is not only hated by many Republicans, but also many Democrats.  Obama is hated by few.  Most of the people who wouldn't vote for Obama due to his race, also wouldn't vote for a Woman, or a Democrat for that matter.  We don't need those votes.

Carrie,

Obama also commended Abbas and has show in past statements that he is more mindful of the Palestinians struggle than most of the people in Washington.  This statement had nothing to do with kissing up to Israel, but it demonstrates he values diplomacy (even when it's being attempted by someone as despisable as Bush).

Carrie,

Obama also commended Abbas and has show in past statements that he is more mindful of the Palestinians struggle than most of the people in Washington.  This statement had nothing to do with kissing up to Israel, but it demonstrates he values diplomacy (even when it's being attempted by someone as despisable as Bush).

Looks like Obama is beginning to get more comfortable with sounding and acting Presidential.  Meanwhile Hillary is whining and slinging mud.

I have not been paid by the Clinton campaign for this message - I will vote for Hillary Clinton because she is the only Democrat who has lived through the Republican hell that the next Democratic presidential candidate is going to go through.  If Obama really believes that living as a child (very young child) gives him some kind of world perspective, I suppose 30 years of traveling abroad every summer gives me some experience too.

Look Obama is too young, too inexperienced and hasn't done anything while in the Senate (let's see for all of two years) And trust me while he was state senator in Illinois he wasn't any fireball either.

Obama's sole credential (if you want to call it that) is his ability to fire up a crowd with a good speech.  That's what brought him to the forefront.  Also, his opponent in his senatorial bid was the infamous Alan Keyes,a well known rabid right wingnut who had little support from his party and was put up only after Jack Ryan got caught up in another republican sex scandel.  Obama has never had to fight any fight.  And this is what the next election and the next administration is going to be about - fighting and who can stand up to and knows about how to beat the Republican machine.

As a previous poster said - if Obama is nominated I will not vote for him.  I am not voting for the continued downfall of this country.  I've voted in every election since 1972 and always as a Democrat but not for Obama and it has nothing to do with race.  It is about an arrogant guy who has not paid his dues.  When the republicans slice and dice him and throw him in the Chicago river, I'll be happy to sit back and say "I told you so."

'We The People' need to take back our government by replacing the lobbyist bought incumbents...the Nation needs a cleansing of this corrupt electoral process..Please don't let the media Brain wash  you who to vote for...Vote for canidates looking out for the people. not special interest groups,,,canidates that won't be bought out  or our Nation's future...

Democrats would be foolish to take a gamble with our party's future on a two year old senator still in political diapers. I will under no circumstance vote for Obama - a man who seriously lacks experience, no matter how much the media hype him up. Also I have a problem with these mean spirited Obama supporters. How can Obama, be promoting hope and optimism for the country, but everytime you read blogs the Obama supporters are always bad mouthing Hillary. They never mention what Obama plans are for the country, they are too obsessed with hating Hillary. If Obama is chosen by us Dems, we will be making a foolish mistake. If we select him,  I will either not vote in the general election or I will vote Republican.  
clinton, des moine, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, November 28, 2007 3:04 AM)

you are correct - here is another picture...when during the dem national convention when they announce here is your nominee brack HUSSEIN obama i can see half the country cringing at this point you might as well hand over the presidency to the republicans on a silver platter. wake up Dems!you think the republicans will let this one slide by.

I believe the reality of the coming presidential election is that if Hillary is the Dem candidate, we hand the White House--again--to the Rs.  I have no particular animus toward her, but she will be an absolute lightning rod.  Her support for the war in Iraq is distinctly unpopular; her national (some argue, socialized) healthcare proposal is, in equal parts, unaffordable and an easy campaign target; and, her propensity to engage in dirty politics is precisely what the American voting public rejected in the mid-terms.  

If we want back the White House, we need to think strategically--who makes the best candidate that gives us the greatest chance of success?  Sniping will give the Rs a cache of campaign ammunition that far exceeds the wildest imagination of the most accomplished Republican campaign strategist.  Recall the enormous power of Reagan's admonition to his own party that Republicans shall not slight fellow Republicans in public.  Sage counsel.

Can Hillary carry the general?  Debatable, though I believe it a foregone conclusion that she cannot.  Whatever your personal conviction, this much is true:  If we fail to galvanize, set clear national objectives (that aren't necessarily "Anti-Bush" dogma), and clearly articulate a vision for America, we can look forward to another four years of Republican rule, and four more years of "If Only..."

gone fishing,

as persuasive and enlightening as your argument was, i still think hillary can, and will, win the country over. and i don't see how your staying home on election day is gonna hurt her any unless you were already planning to vote for her.

then again, one doesn't necessarily scan the First Read comments section for sound arguments or enlightenment.

and also, maybe lookup "allot."

ClintonMidwest is so wrong it's mindblowing!Yes,Hillary and ALL OF US have lived thru this republican hell of an administration,but unlike us Hillary actually had a little power and a FORUM to voice her extreme displeasure,disgust,et al..Instead she became an enabler and signed off on one of the stupidest,most costly,illegal and TRAGIC military actions in our or any country's history.then she did it again! We dogged Howard Dean when he went crazy but guess what..he was right!He was a different candidate as is Barack Obama.All you haters remember that all Bush had to go on was his father's name and nothing of accomplishment.He didn't even know how to get rich in the oil business!!Hillary has nothing to go on but her name and it is sullied.All Bill had to do was either keep his zipper up or tell the truth and he might have been on of the greats.But I digress.The real reason Hillary can't win is she's a carpetbagger.She was given a pass in NY because she knew she couldn't win a damn thing in her home state(Illinois)or the state she spent the most time in adulthood(Arkansas)Obama has been thru at least a couple battles while Hillary slid into her Senate seat and didn't open her mouth when the neo-cons lied and schemed us into Iraq.Even Colin Powell knew it was wrong.He said we should have FINISHED the job in Afganistan 1st!! Now, look at that mess...

kdavid,

i totally agree with your last point.  we'd all like to think we live in times when a name like hussein makes no difference in america, but it's naive to believe that's actually the case (though we're progressing toward it faster than ever).  the republicans will only have to exploit the name issue once or twice for it to be out there for all to think about.  after the seed is planted, a little innuendo from time to time will lead them right into the white house.

of course they're quiet about it now because it's a huge weapon that'll have the biggest impact if he gets the nomination.  maybe it'll lay the groundwork for a future obama presidency, but you can bet it'll turn just enough people off to kill his campaign this time.

no question.

In watching the republicans and how they are divided, if you really want to get out the republican vote, their hatred towards Clinton will get them to the poles. With that in mind plus her negative numbers within her own party, if Hilary is nominated, the democrats will lose. He who forgets history, well just hide and watch...

i'll be honest..i'm tired of the clintons and bush's..its time for a change in a new direction...if she wins the nomination..i want be voting for her...it will be the same ass thing...get all of their old ass's out of office..we need fresh young peoples who truely represent us..besides..she can't win...if u peoples thinkj she can...you all are crazy...thats what they want is for her to win..to much baggage peoples..damn u all can't see that...they have no baggage on the BO..besides he's blk and many want vote for him...because of his color..its time for a change


paid for by the enoch corp

Where did Obama's PAC money go?  It is routine for state legislators to set up PACs that then help the campaigns of other candidates of the same party. Senator Obama set up a PAC when he was a State Legislator, and he has admitted this.  The money gathered by his PAC, called the Hopefund, has been donated to democaratic candidates all around the country, and especially in tight races.  Where did Obama's Hopefund money go?  It went, in part, to support the campaign of Hillary Clinton for the New York Senate! Look up your facts before you try to make a scandal out of nothing, and be careful what you start when you try to spread rumours.  

It is a damn shame for our political landscape that we do not have one politician who is daring enough to tell Israel the truth. That it is a terrorist state, built on a fascist zionist ideology, a theocratic, jews-only state, that is keeping it's door shut even to war refugee only because they are not jewish. It is these double standards that makes us hated all over the world and is destroying our efforts to export democracy in the bud. No one is going to believe our war on terrorism when we support Israel by fighting trillion dollar wars for them. And in the meantime, the zionist political lobbyists and their zionist slave presidential candidates like Giuliani, Clinton and others, are keeping us enslaved in this support for Israel while neglecting our housing, our economy, our health care system, our very own interests here at home. It is all and everything Israeli they care about. It is a damn shame, once again, and if we do not free ourselves from these zionist chains, we will be dragged down the drain with Israel. Let Israel take care of itself if it has any right to existence!! I do not want one dollarcent spent over there from my taxes!! Obama, please wake up and wake us all up!

http://www.wakeupfromyourslumber.com/

Back to the orginal topic; the talks between Israel and "Palestinians" among other groups.  It is nice that Obama is talking about this and with Olmert.  This does not reveal enough of Obama's views on the Middle East.  I would prefer something about the lack of progress that the Arab/Muslim/Persian world is making to limit the hate of other groups in their society.  

To Dynah Cicciola:

Apparently you do not read the history or news.  If you had, you would know that Israel respects the rule of law and has been defending itself from hateful countries that suround it.  Israel is not Jewish only.  There are Arab citizens as well.  It is clear that you do not support the only true democratic country in the Middle East -- Israel!  How often do the courts of an Arab country rule against the government of the country from doing something?  I believe the answer is never.  The Israeli courts are independant from the government like they are in the U.S.  

I have to ask why can't there be a homeland for Jews in a place where Jews once had their own country?  Your comments smack of anti-semitism.  I would like you explain why you think Israel is having us fight Islamic terrorist?  They have been doing that since day one.  Check your history...

As a previous poster said - if Obama is nominated I will not vote for him.  I am not voting for the continued downfall of this country.  I've voted in every election since 1972 and always as a Democrat but not for Obama and it has nothing to do with race.  It is about an arrogant guy who has not paid his dues.  When the republicans slice and dice him and throw him in the Chicago river, I'll be happy to sit back and say "I told you so."

Although this person says their stance has nothing to do with race.I find that posting above to be hate speech tinged,but albeit a tad bit comical also.You know in a kind of 3rd grade reader level way..LOL..I usually do not post on there things because I truly believe that if you want to make a difference then you have to get up,get off your computer and vote..oh and I love all the pro Hillary people with their..ahem..attention..this is not a paid advertsiement post..wow...cheesey..LOL

As a previous poster said - if Obama is nominated I will not vote for him.  I am not voting for the continued downfall of this country.  I've voted in every election since 1972 and always as a Democrat but not for Obama and it has nothing to do with race.  It is about an arrogant guy who has not paid his dues.  When the republicans slice and dice him and throw him in the Chicago river, I'll be happy to sit back and say "I told you so."

Although this person says their stance has nothing to do with race.I find that posting above to be hate speech tinged,but albeit a tad bit comical also.You know in a kind of 3rd grade reader level way..LOL..I usually do not post on there things because I truly believe that if you want to make a difference then you have to get up,get off your computer and vote..oh and I love all the pro Hillary people with their..ahem..attention..this is not a paid advertsiement post..wow...cheesey..LOL

why are hillary supporters so defensive? I don't remember reading ONE message here that accuses them of being "paid" to leave a positive message about their candidate.

That's so odd....

anyway, Barack Obama is the candidate that I have chosen to not only support, but donate to, phone bank for, knock on doors for and I will continue to do so up until our primary here in SC :) There is a steady movement here in Columbia, you can feel the awakening and it's pretty exciting to a part of history. I guess the story will be told, whether I'm right or wrong, within a couple month's time.

OBAMA '08

To S.B. Stein

It is better that you check history first.

Israel is built on genocide and mass deportation of Palestinians:

http://zionofascism.wordpress.com/about/

Israel is a theocratic jewish state and NO democracy. That you dare to say that Israel is not a jewish state is something many Israelis will not like and part of concealing the true identity of Israel. It is even written in the constitution of Israel:

http://www.nkusa.org/

Israeli courts are all but independent: they are more like military judges because of the constant wars Israel is mongering amongst its neighbors. They even condone the massive crimes against humanity perpetrated on the Palestinians, the economic strangling of millions of innocent people, the concentration camps etc.etc.

And before you strike again with your fake antisemitism verdict: there are many non-terrorist jews who say the same:

http://www.nkusa.org/links/index.cfm

And last but not least, Zionist Israelis were terrorists from day one. In those days they were bombing the British:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zionist_political_violence

All these historical facts are seldom shown on our media, always because we are afraid to be called antisemite. But we are not antisemites when we fight jewish or zionist fascism or terrorism. It is just as bad as islamofascism and islamoterrorism. It is these double standards that are crippling our might. If we are to succeed in the coming decades we need to destroy also ziofascism and zioterrorism, otherwise we will fail and be dragged down the drain with Israel!

Candace:

You must be new here.  Those who speak positively about Hillary are frequently accused of being paid operatives.  Take a look at other threads, and it will become very obvious to you why people who support Hillary are defensive.  They are called brainless, witless, dishonest, etc.  I have been called all sorts of things myself because I defend Hillary.

Before you waltz in here with your breezy comments, take the time to know what you are talking about.  

carrie, i was thinkin the same thing but didn't wanna take the time to write it for people who wouldn't really  understand or care anyway.

but you did, and you're right.  thanks.

Very interesting that moments after the Edwards campaign starts a sign-up thing not to support Hillary if she is the nominee, Hillary supporters follow that lead though turn the "I'll stay home on election day" threat against their true threat for the nomination - Obama.

It seems to me that Hillary supporters have gotten so used to following another campaign's ideas (including this one, which is about as wrong-headed as ideas come - and I like John Edwards), they now do it out of habit. It also seems to me its going to get uglier as the race tightens and the once-inevitable Clinton campaign becomes increasingly desperate.

So Hillary has the experience. I thought she was married to the person with the experience. She was the wife of a president. Okay so she had the chance to shake a lot of hands, but where is the experience?
Obama has the experience of dealing with people. And to be sure, if you all are talking about the same experience That George Bush has, I don't want that kind of experience. It's time for something new. It couldn't get any worse than this. The Bush administration has sold out the American public for the Iraq profit. 24 years of Bush, Clinton is too much to take. The problem with Americans today is that we only get the wealthy people put up in front of us for a choice to run our country.
We need someone who comes from us. Someone who'll know that milk is $5 a gallon. That daycare is out of reach for a lot of Americans. that there are so many millions of folks in this country that don't make enough money to be considered middle class.
You all ahve a great and blessed day. PEACE!

I am a third generation Mexican Immigrant.  Just to give you a very brief background of myself.  Hillary Clinton's people are corrupt.  They had, and still have ties to Blackwater...you know that group of mercenary killers!  I won't say that the other issues aren't important, they are, but the other issues almost take a backseat to this murderous company relationship to her.  If she is unable to see that they are wrong for her campaign, then what can we really expect once she actually becomes president.  I am all for equality.  I want the best person in that office...it is just that important--who cares for the people of this country first--regardless of their color, or gender.  If she was the correct lady to be president I would vote for her.  She sadly, isn't.  She is part of the corporate and politial corruption that has continued to this very day.  The best bet will be Barrack or Edwards.  They are both more grounded than her and they are able to speak on their feet with facts.  We need someone very sharp that is not afraid to cut out the lobbyist and other Washington parasites that blatantly are holding our nation--and have been for years--hostage, making our some of our most precious decision go the way of special interests.  She simply keeps taking the wrong position on the issues, then changes her position when her initial position becomes blatantly flawed by the public.  So, "ladies" and gentlemen, I wouldn't mind having a woman a president, but she has to be the right woman, a strong woman, not Clinton.  The Republicans would love to have her in office, that is if they can't get in, so she will continue corrupt politics, and business as usual--benefitting them.  Or, they would like to see her win the nomination because she sways with the wind on most of the issues, and they can attack her and have an excellent chance of winning once they easily eliminate her credibility.  They have a much tougher time doing that to Edwards or Barrack, because they are very analytical, speak intelligently and are well accustomed to debating issues very well.  We need someone to speak, and act for the honest hardworking people of the United States, not for the corporate and political goons, that now are running this once great nation into the ground at lightning speed.  GOD please bless our country and give us the direction, intelligence, vision and strength to make these all important critical decisions.

Bravo for Obama for reaching out to world leaders. I hope he will get to do more of this as our next president.  He was not afraid to cross party lines and give credit where credit is due.  Hillary would never do that, she has too much bad blood in her previous experience to allow a compliment to the Bushy.
So if Hillary is soooo good at foreign relations - where was she? Her foreign policy experience is shaking hands... o wait.. that is not policy experience, is it?  
Obama has been and is on the foreign relations committee, whereas Hillary is on the Armed forces committee.  She is not a diplomat and all the experience in the world will not get near to the diplomatic ability of Obama.  
Since her experience condoned military action (she is on the armed forces committee, yet didn't do her homework before voting for military action) the mideast leaders would always see her as someone not to be trusted.

TO ALL,
WILL U PEOPLE STOP HATING OBAMA AND GET INVOLED IN THIS PROCESS. HE IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT. I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME THAT A BLACK MAN GETS A CHANCE TO BECOME PRESIDENT. AFTER ALL, WHITE MEN HAVE BEEN PRESIDENT FOR YEARS AND LOOK WHATS BEEN HAPPENING. GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A CHANCE TO TO REIGN. STOP THE SAME OLD CRAP.
PEACE AND LOVE
PATRICIA

Ruth - I am glad someone else noticed the copying idea... I thought it was just me

Hillary experience is totally unremarkable.  She is not on one of the more important committees.  She voted twice for military action (go figure - that is the committee she is on).  Shw has not done anything on her own, and would be unknown if not for Bill.
The rightwing wants Hillary to win because she is the closest to the right wing in the Democratic party and they don't have a decent candidate thanks to the damage Bush did.  She has shown by her votes and interest on the Armed Forces Committee that she is hawkish.
If it is experience you want, vote Biden or Dodd.  If it is change you want, vote Obama
I feel fortunate to be able to see such a man run for president in my lifetime.  He IS remarkable.  He has integrity that will restore hope in our broken government and the world.  It isn't always that someone has experience, it is who they are, and what they stand for - that we have been sadly lacking for too long.  His experience does show where he stands, who he is and that he can do it and do it well. He has an amaszing ability to lead and to bring people together.  Hillary dosn't bring people together, she does the opposite.  
Nobody has enough experience to be president - it's a fly by the seat of your pants kind of thing. That is why they have advisors.  It IS important that they make good honest choices and exercise good judement.  It IS important that their integrity is such that they are respected.  The need to be able to listen, compromise, be diplomatic, and above all to LEAD.  Obama fits those requirements perfectly.

Great move for Obama, someone has to get involved now because the Bush administration will not follow through with whatever come about in these talks. People talk about inexperience but when you look at it don't you think it's time for something fresh and new? Someone who is not embedded in the "Good Ol' Boy" system that robs from Peter to pay Paul? It's not a matter of inexperience it come down to fear, what would you say if Obama did a good job? Luck, don't think so, the world is tired of our BS! They are tired of us involving ourselves in everyone else's problems when we have so many of our own. We need a change and so does the world!

Carrie,

I know you enjoy reading your own comments, seeing your name on the web must be exciting...but let me say one thing, I've been reading all blogs from all news sources for the last 6 months or so.....and I know well enough to recognize cut and paste when I see it...

You and Blake should try making some phone calls on behalf of your candidate, you will actually need some of "OUR" votes if you plan to see your candidate become the leader of the free world. Some people like to talk the talk, but do you walk the walk?

OBAMA '08

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