I wish Mr. Obama good luck and hope for the best.  If you win, I hope you will fulfill your promise.  The people and country really need change.  If you are the person to bring this change, may GOD bless you and give you strength and courage to do just this - CHANGE...

Go OBAMA!  I do believe that one person can make a difference and this is the first conviction candidate in years who is inspiring American's - not just constituencies.  He's got the right idea and we've had enough of the Christian fundamentalist form of leadership; fundamentalism is something we're fighting because of its narrow view of inclusion.  We don't need a leader representing the free world - who denies evolution in favor of a religious dogma.  Come on America - let's show the world we are what we were designed by our forefathers to be - a democratic land of equality and opportunity.  

smart move by both candidates. it was smart of hillary as a first last minute strategical move and a smart strategical counter move by obama. no t copying each other. these guys are playing a serious game of chess.

If Obama can win the dem primary with his unity, bipartisan approach he will be in great shape for the general. The many dems who think he is too centrist are forgetting his good progressive record and his platform that is quite similar to the other dems. He is the best candidate for increasing dem majority in congress and breaking the DC gridlock.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Former South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges has endorsed Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama.

http://www.wjbf.com/midatlantic/jbf/news_index.apx.-content-articles-JBF-2008-01-02-0006.html

I like the copy and am very glad they dropped the idea of doing it live.

Putting aside all the noise, here's one interested observers take on the merits of the top Dem candidates and whom you should vote for if you're interested in (1) experience (2) change or (3) electability.

Experience:
1) Biden
2) Richardson
3) Dodd
4) Yes, HRC is not on the list.  Nor is Obama.  If you're making your decision solely on Experience, neither should get your vote.

Change to our broken system of government:
1) Obama
2) Edwards (as a distant second)
3) Kucinich (or actually there's nobody in third)

Electability:
1) Obama (based on his rabid support amongst Independents and even from some Republicans)
2) Biden (prone to talking too much but he's the Dems biggest gun on foreign policy and has called Iraq right for 3 years now)
3) Edwards (exceptional candidate but he's had to stake out a far-left position in the primaries, which won't work in the general)

I'm reviewing my list and realize Hillary didn't make it into the top 3 of either the "Experience," "Change," or "Electability" categories.  If you put aside the unfounded claims made by the HRC campaign on experience (that are being taken apart day by day and will be shredded by next October), she doesn't deserve to be in the top 3 on Experience.  While having a woman as President theoretically represents change, Hillary does not.  An HRC administration would simply continue the disgusting trend of divisive politics that we've had to endure for the past 20 years.  Even Hillary supporters know that deep in their bones.

Iowans, please send America a candidate who deserves the taglines they've attached to themselves.  You're smart enough to see through the haze and the headlines.  

According to the Des Moines Poll, a lot of republicans will be caucausing for Obama. It speaks volumes about whom the republicans want to win the Democratic nomination. I wonder why republicans would want Obama to win??? When it comes down to the issues that matter, Obama does not differ from Hillary on philosophy. He has proposed no "Change" in philosophy.  He has a bunch of Bill Clinton advisers advising him. The only issue on which he differs from Hillary is that he supports giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, which Hillary opposes, just like many republicans. I therefore wonder why republicans are caucausing for Obama??? It seems to me the general election has started already and republicans are playing a strategic game. They would rather run against Obama than Clinton.

Empty rhetoric..reminds me of the infamous Bush "I'm a uniter not a divider".  Obama lacks substance.

HOW does he plan on doing all of this??? Now he's even stealing Hillary's line: " I've spent my life working for change"....can he be more unoriginal? What exactly are his plans for implementing all of this so-called change? What is the new direction? HOW will solve all the problems facing our country? HOW does he plan on fighting every day? He has yet to explain ANY of these empty promises! He thinks just by spouting these talking points he can get enough people to believe it...wake up before it's too late...Hillary '08!!!

Sounds like the Obama I've grown to admire and support!   GO Barack GO!

Gosh, must be an obamabot lovejerkoff going on here...yech

Tears roll down my face as I read the text of your ad to be played tonight. I have so much faith in you and where you can take this country. Go Barack Obama! My prayers and dreams are with you. Keep the Faith!!!!

Edwards is a PHONY! Iowa should know that by now.

OBAMA GETS REPUBLICAN IOWA MAYOER TO CAUCUS FOR HIM - With Obama the dems win in November, anyone who can get indipendants and Republicans to vote for him in these kind of numbers can beat any republican candidate.

EXCLUSIVE! Mayor Rickard to vote for Obama
BY GERSH KUNTZMAN
The Brooklyn Paper

BROOKLYN, IOWA — The longtime Republican mayor of this tiny heartland town will stun his neighbors — and send shockwaves that will reach his countrymen in the real Brooklyn — when he breaks ranks with the GOP to vote for Sen. Barack Obama at the Iowa caucuses this Thursday night.
“After eight years of this administration, I’ve had it,” Mayor Loren Rickard told The Brooklyn Paper, which sent a reporter to Brooklyn, Iowa — population 1,200 — for the “first-in-the-nation” caucus.

“We’ve got a currency that’s practically worthless and a war without end,” he added. “I thought they were crazy to start the war with Iraq — and crazier that they didn’t even seem to have a plan to fight it.”

And Rickard said he’s not only dissatisfied with the president, but with his would-be successors.

“I’ve been a moderate Republican all my life and I simply don’t recognize these people [the GOP field],” he said. “Meanwhile, the Democrats have six solid candidates — though I think [Dennis] Kucinich is a bit out there.”

Rickard singled out Joe Biden and Obama for praise — but said he wouldn’t back Biden because “he can’t win.”

Few in the farming town in eastern Iowa know that their third-term Republican mayor will side with the Democrats on Thursday. And it might not have happened were it not for the efforts of Obama supporter, Bev Rens.

“I held a house party for Obama and [the mayor] came with his son, Joel,” said Rens, the Poweshiek County Democratic Party co-chair. “He listened to what I had to say and he pledged to vote for Obama that night. It sent a shiver through me!”

Rens said she also scored the mayor’s son, who was originally backing New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

The Republican crossovers were no surprise to Brooklyn (Iowa) Chronicle Editor Sky Eilers.

“There are many Republicans in Iowa who feel that their party is in trouble in November, but they also don’t want to see Hillary be president, so they’re switching parties to back other Democrats,” said Eilers. “Hillary has had the biggest machine behind her here. Some people feel she’s buying her way through the process while Obama is appealing to the grassroots, which is what you have here in Brooklyn.”


Eilers didn’t think Rickard’s betrayal of party would send a shockwave through the town.

“Shockwave? In Brooklyn [Iowa]? I don’t think so,” Eilers said.

But he did think many eyes would be following Rickard as he entered the Democratic, rather than Republican, caucus.

“He is very well respected here, so people will certainly talk about it,” he said.

Under Iowa election law, registered voters can switch their party affiliation on caucus night, which Rickard said he would do by signing in as a Democrat at Thursday’s gathering at the Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcolm elementary school.

Despite the excitement over the presidential election, the caucus process in Brooklyn is subdued, Rens said. In some years, only a handful of Democrats and Republicans have gathered, she said.

“I started in 1988 and was caucusing for Jesse Jackson,” she said. “There was six or seven people there, total.”

But this year, turnout is expected to be high at both party caucuses. The Republicans will gather at 6:30 pm and begin with a straw poll of all voters in attendance, while Democrats start a half-hour later — and dig in for an arduous process.

First, supporters of each candidate get to make a presentation, hoping to sway the undecided. Then, a vote is taken. Candidates who receive 15 percent or more are considered “viable,” and move forward to a second round of voting. Supporters of “non-viable” candidates can shift their allegiance to one of the viable candidates or form alliances with supporters of other “non-viable” candidates before the second round.

Major event in America! People are taking an
interest in the democratic system, this alone means
Americans want to take back thier loss of control.
Its not who wins or loses but how they played their
game.

To the people of Iowa...you have a chance to set in motion a chain of events that will bring a new and positive direction for this country.

Caucus for Obama and usher in a new America!

More hopemongering from Obama.

did a poll of members of my family of 24 lifelong DEM. not even 1 of them would vote for obama he was the only one none of us would vote for.

Obama when faced with tough choices always gave in to pressure from the Bush administration or corporate lobbyists. He never answers any reporter on how we would have voted for war at the time, but his record after fact shows he supports the war, voted twice in 2006 against bringing America's troops back home.  He voted for war appropriations giving our money to Halliburton and Blackwater.  His latest bit of posturing S 433 allows the Bush Administration to suspend any troop withdrawal!!!!Which if not suspended, still keeps the troops in Iraq for a long time to come?  Also gave in to pressure from the Bush and lobbyists, Obama voted for Bush's energy bill, sending more than $13 billion in subsidies and tax breaks to oil, coal, and nuclear companies. Obama was the Senate's biggest Democratic advocate of subsidies for liquid coal, even though liquid coal produces twice the global warming pollution of the crude oil it's meant to Look at today headlines from AP NEW YORK - Crude oil prices soared to $100 a barrel Wednesday for the first time, reaching that milestone amid an unshakeable view that global demand for oil and petroleum products will outstrip supplies.
Obama is lost in the game of politics we cannto afford to let him learn in the White House!

why does obama's picture appear always on the politico ad's.  he is a lier.  he talks about change but never has said what exactly he will do on each of the issues.  instead of keep saying i will change this, i will change that, just what is it that he will do to change each issue.  he talks in circles.  he has never done anything in the illinois senate for the state.  he has never done anything for the us senate for the us citizens.  he wants amnisty for all of the illegals.  he will never be ellected president of the united states.      

According to the Des Moines Poll, a lot of republicans will be caucausing for Obama. It speaks volumes about whom the republicans want to win the Democratic nomination. I wonder why republicans would want Obama to win??? When it comes down to the issues that matter, Obama does not differ from Hillary on philosophy. He has proposed no "Change" in philosophy.  He has a bunch of Bill Clinton advisers advising him. The only issue on which he differs from Hillary is that he supports giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, which Hillary opposes, just like many republicans. I therefore wonder why republicans are caucausing for Obama??? It seems to me the general election has started already and republicans are playing a strategic game. They would rather run against Obama than Clinton.
Michael (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 3:14 PM)

micheal the answer to your question is simple it is the "HUSSEIN" of Barack Hussein Obama. we (most dems)know that Obama is not a muslim but most of the country don't even know that his middle name is Hussein. If the republicans managed to "swift boat" true war heroes like John Kerry and Max Cleland and get away with elections this is going to be an easy cake walk. Like Micheal Moor said today "repulicans will have him for breakfast"

i see the obama realist comments are being edited again (that's those that point out obama is an suit)

just look at the FR post down a few...Obama was fooled by a woman who keeps swtiching canidates.... he even did an ad featuringher support of OBama....now she supports someone else.

Is Barack going to admit he was mistaken?

Are his fanatics going to admit this is another example of his inexperience , naive behavior,, and childishness?

is reality going to finally strike?

There is a most important question that is continually overlooked: who is best qualified to be Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces?  Last place in this category goes to Hilary Clinton.  I don't think there is a first place.  

the republican mayor of brooklyn, iowa has endorsed obama. he carries a lot of weight in his little town. it shows that this race is going to be unlike any we have seen in a long time. hope resonates in this country. it shows electability. independents and republicans will vote for change. the washington establishment candidate id done. the experience issue is a factor for some. it is a good preaching point. we have done that with senators and representatives for years. this country is thirsty for hope, change and very good judgement.

everyone has their favorite candidate. as an independent i was down to three. now i am down to to. one candidate i really liked sounds angry all the time. the same attitude that has been in the capitol for to long. all there has been is fighting on capitol hill. it sound good to want to fight, but that is what washington don't need. when it comes to experience there are those that have more than bill and hillary have. so that doesn't wash either. if we don't have change, hope and good judgement the all the experience in the world won't matter. oh yeah. you need someone that that has good moral and ethical character.

More hopemongering from Obama.

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 3:42 PM)

Dickie's right you know.....
Better to go from hopemongering to hopelessness
Which is what you get with Hillary Clinton

Go Iowa...Go Obama...From Obama Land Evanston, IL
Hope Extends and bring US together.

Sandra..........learn to spell and then maybe someone might believe your garbage.  Obama 08

[More hopemongering from Obama.
Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC]

Wow, you know I'd take that as a compliment.  We're tired of the fearmongering and cynicism in politics.  Thank you Rich for saying something nice, albeit probably inadvertently, but that was big of you nonetheless.


Nicholas

According to the Des Moines Poll, a lot of republicans will be caucausing for Obama. It speaks volumes about whom the republicans want to win the Democratic nomination. I wonder why republicans would want Obama to win??? When it comes down to the issues that matter, Obama does not differ from Hillary on philosophy. He has proposed no "Change" in philosophy.  He has a bunch of Bill Clinton advisers advising him. The only issue on which he differs from Hillary is that he supports giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, which Hillary opposes, just like many republicans. I therefore wonder why republicans are caucausing for Obama??? It seems to me the general election has started already and republicans are playing a strategic game. They would rather run against Obama than Clinton.
Michael (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 3:14 PM)
*****************************************************

Are you really that naive? Even if the RNC had a plan similar to the scenario that you lay out, do you really think that even thousands(not to say the millions needed) of Republican voters would be able to conspire, coordinate and execute such a grandiose scheme? What else will you guys come up with? Can't it be that Obama can actually attract voters from other parties to vote for him? Didn't that senile old coot get Dems to cross lines to vote for him in the 80's?

Huury mike, get the tin-foil helmet back on before the NSA reads your thoughts........ to late, they are on hte phone waiting for you.

I recently watched both Hillary and Barack's stump speeches in Iowa.  I was specifically interested in Obama's speech since it appears he will be winning in Iowa.  Two things stuck me about his speech.  The main issue was the lack of detail.  His speech was full of generalities.  I still don't know how he plans to accomplish anything.  This worries me and reminds me eerily of Bush in 1999.  Lots of hopeful messages but no details.   Selling of an ideal not a specific plan.  There is way too much to do. Even when asked specific questions by the audience, he still answered in generalities. The other surprising thing, though of less importance, was the lackluster, almost disjointed, energy of the speech by Obama. Did anyone else note that? (Sioux City speech yesterday)
Clinton on the other hand, seems to have a plan for everything and could seem to speak specifically and in detail about any subject and how to tackle it.  Not as much fun for sure, but definitely reassuring.  Also, her speech seemed more impassioned than it has in the past.  Just an observation.

Helen, nearly every Democrat I know believes that Obama would be an exceptional candidate.  Even those that would prefer another candidate gets the nod.

Out of 24 "DEMS", not even one of your family would support an Obama campaign?  Sounds a bit fishy!

Sandra, you have a lot of accusations and "he never's" in your post, but you have nothing to back any of it up.  Interesting.

Sounds great! I wish I lived in Iowa so I could caucus for this extraordinary man! He will be this generation's John F. Kennedy!

Obama talk about change but never say how he is going to do it. Hillary outlined everything she is going to do to bring about change. Obama can NOT stand the general election with the republican attacking machince,  but Hillary could and she proved it time over time.

I am so excited about Barack Obama. He just has that special "it" factor that we Democrats have been missing since the days of JFK and RFK! He is a STAR who will appeal to Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. I'll be voting next Tuesday here in NH - can't wait!!  

Uggh!  Why don't you people do a little research themselves?  We just want everything to be handed to us!?  Are we too lazy to click around the internet and go to a man's website or read some position papers he has written?  How about checking out a voting record?  I know you people are online posting ridiculous statements, illegibly, on this site, so I know that you know how!  Candidates cannot describe everything in detail in a two-minute ad or a 30 second debate response.  Do some research, and then get off your lazy rear-ends and ACTUALLY VOTE THIS TIME!!!

Barack Obama is that once-in-a-generation leader who has the vision, knowledge, skills and right experience to lead our nation in such difficult times.

Don't let this opportunity slip through our fingers!

Wow! Jerry Matthews-----You just described Hillary Clinton. Thanks

I am a Republican Obama supporter and volunteer.  I'm for Obama not against any other candidate.  I was Mc Cain's County Co-Chair in 2000 in Bennington County, Vermont and am not supporting him this time due to the Iraq war.

Obama can close the book on politics as usual and move us all forward by putting the years of partisan animosity to an end.  Read Scott's post above and analysis of the race. He's hit it on the head.  

Clinton's past and present mistakes stand tall in my decision.  No, I do not hate her or anyone, but please ask yourself the following:  Who gave George Bush a blank check in both Iran (no nuclear weapons program) and Iraq (no "Weapons of Mass Destruction)?  Who brings back a "mandated" health plan that crashed and burned on her first attempt in the 90's?  Romney's similiar plan in Massachusetts is crashing as well with hundreds of thousands opting out.  How do you enforce the mandate?  Garnish wages, liens on properties, denial of care?  Tell us Senator Clinton.

Howard Dean did one thing right in '04; his slogan.  It was "You Have the Power".  Yes, we do!  Now let's go and put the past behind us and give our kids and grandkids a better future.  Think I'm one of Obama "kid" supporters?  Think again, as I'm one slighly overweight, balding, 57 year old white guy from Southwest Vermont.  I want better and we can do better!  Please vote your hearts and not second a coronation attempt by the mainstream media and the old "Beltway Bozo" establishment.  Heck, if time in Washington was all that counted, we'd be running Rumsfeld and Cheney.  Look what all that "experience" got us.  Please Iowa, start us on the road!

WOW, THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME MAJ0R PROPAGANDA GOING ON.... THEY’RE TRYING EVERYTHING TODAY…….... WHY IS THAT?

STAY STRONG SENATOR OBAMA.... THEY ARE COMING FOR YOU....IF YOU CAN WITHSTAND THIS, YOU CAN WITHSTAND THE GENERAL ELECTION.

STAY STRONG EVERYONE… STAY FOCUS

My 20 year-old son, who has never been interested in politics (sadly, I may add, as I am a political junkie!) told me today that he is going to work for Obama's campaign when he returns to college. I am so proud of him! He is excited about politics for the first time in his life! What did it? He watched an Obama speech on C-SPAN that I had on the TV a few days ago. He was sitting in the same room with me, but I didn't think he was paying attention. Well, he was! And now he is going to actually participate in the process! He said he had been reading the papers, magazines, etc. and was leaning Obama's way, but that when he heard that speech it convinced him to become active! I'm one proud mom!! Obama for President!!

Well, Helen, I guess with my 5 kids, my Mother & 2 sister's,+ my girlfriends family (9), & the 17 friends That I have convinced to vote For Barack, I guess we Effectively cancel out your Family of 24. Such a lame post!!!!!

Lois, they will be tears of joy come Friday. It'll we the beginning of the End of this 2 family Dictatorship of the American Presidency. Praise the Lord, & i'm not that religous.

Obama John F. Kennedy of this generation

I just read a piece in the Huffington Post.  It stated they have been told by staffers in the Dodd, Bidden and Richardson camp that they should go with Obama as their number two selection if they do not get to viability.  If this is true Obama will do even better than expected bicking up all the number two selections.  Edwards has not spoke up, but mst of his voters want change and dislike Hillary.

It is a good piece, i was surprised by the Biden and  Richardson nods, but Obama will take them.  There is something going on and i like it.

I am frequently shocked in the comments section about how lazy people are who post comments. Often I see folks commenting about how the candidate hasn't been specific about any of their policies. I suppose you expect specific policy details to be laid out for you in a media sound bite or maybe in the course of a one hour meet and greet with a candidate, which I gather many haven't even attended. Yet, most of the candidates have information on their webpages that are pretty detailed and specific regarding a variety of issues. I know for a fact that Obama's site is very detailed. I also know that there are videos of foreign policy forums, healthcare forums, etc.

BUT, here's the rub.....to get all these details, you have to take some time to actually read them. Clearly, lots of commentors don't do that. Instead they say there's no specifics. Wrong! Specifics are there. I have know idea why so many folks seem to need to be spoonfed information. In a democratic process, the most important job out there is the job of the voter. For many commentors, your resume seems pretty thin!

I get so tired of reading the negative blogs.  With all due respect, putting the competition down will not make your preference look any better.  

The truth is
1) No one has experience at the job unless they are the incumbant (and we vote them in anyway)
2) No one has detailed what they will really do when they become president.  They only have "plans".
3) The process to bring about "change' will not happen over night (maybe not even in the first term) and everyone has claimed they will do it differently.
4) The key is to exercise your rights and VOTE.  And if your candidate doesn't win, suck it up and support the new guy (or gal).

While the candidates are trying to unify our leaders, let's (Americans) try to put the best person in office.  

GO OBAMA!

Rebecca-rather than critique a stump speech, why not actually go to Obama's website and look at his public record? Yes, ALL the candidates talk in generalities, that's what stump speeches are for. Dig a little deeper and I think you'll see Obama as a far more sincere and substantive candidate than Hillary.

I have two friends who are normally apolitical, don't have much interest in the process or the candidates. Now, both of them are active supporters of Barack Obama, they have both gone to hear him speak, and they have both, for the first time in their lives, contributed to a candidate, both having
sent money to Obama's campaign. They wear Obama
buttons, have Obama bumper stickers.This is an indication of how Barack excites people who are normally not interested in politics. When Barack wins the Iowa caucus, it will be news heard round the world!!

Bob Novack has also picked Obama to win

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