So Obama believes in "common sense" in how to handle amendments. It would be interesting if a city, or a state, decided to ban abortions in the interest of "common sense". You'd see liberal judges at every level throwing out that legislation.

**** March 8:
Wyoming (D)
 the deadline for the Democratic caucus is February 22, 2008. Qualified voters can also register at the polls on Election Day in  Wyoming.
You need to be registered as a Democrat in your county by Feb. 22 in order to participate in the March 8 caucuses,” Luckett said.
He added that Independents who would like to participate must register as Democrats, since Wyoming does not have open caucuses like some other states.

http://soswy.state.wy.us/election/election.htm
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/wyhome

**** March 11:
Mississippi primary

http://www.sos.state.ms.us/elections/elections.asp
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/mshome


**** April 22:
Pennsylvania
March 24, 2008 is the last day to register before the Pennsylvania presidential primary. (30 days before the primary) http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/site/default.asp
http://www.padems.com/
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/pahome

Cool, thank you C.K. Steele for that information.

**** May 6:
Indiana
April 7, 2008 is the last day to register to vote before the primary. (29 days before the election)
http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/

North Carolina
The deadline to register to vote in this State is 25 days before the day of the election.
http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/


• May 13:  
WEST VIRGINIA
April 22, 2008 : Last Day to Register to Vote in the Primary Election.
has a closed primary -- meaning you may only vote the ballot of the party in which you are registered, although some parties allow no party affiliates to vote their ballots.  A party change must be filed by the close of registration (21 days) before a primary election for you to be eligible to vote the new party's ballot in the primary.  

http://www.wvsos.com/elections/voters/partyregistration.htm">http://www.wvsos.com/elections/voters/partyregistration.htm
http://www.wvsos.com/elections/
http://www.wvdemocrats.com/calendar.php

• May 20:

KENTUCKY
April 22, 2008 is the last day to register for the primary. (29 days before the election
Polls open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kentucky has closed party primary elections.You must register as a Democrat  to vote in that party's May primary election.
Q: Do I have to produce Identification to vote?  A: All voters must produce identification or be known by a precinct officer prior to voting. KRS117.227 and 31 KAR 4:010 provide the types of ID that can be used by the voter such as: Personal acquaintance of precinct officer, Driver’s license, Social Security card, credit card, or another form of ID containing both picture and signature.
http://www.elect.ky.gov/registrationinfo/infoguide.htm
http://sos.ky.gov/


OREGON
April 29 voter registration deadline

http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/

I must say, I hope that we get a Democrat President in 08. Voters on both sides are convinced that either Obama or Clinton is the next great thing to happen to this country, and it's going to be HILARIOUS when the following events take place because of failed Democrat leadership, and we'll get to watch Obama or Hillary supporters try to defend their candidate.

1) An abrupt and careless Iraq withdraw sparks a chain of Islamic in-fighting and Shia/Sunni wars that makes the Iraq War look like a picnic.

   (My favorite part of this one is where al-Qaeda stops trying to kill Marines and Soldiers who are right next door and starts focusing on the American continent again. You stupid, STUPID anti-war liberals have NO idea what you're talking about, and NO idea who our enemy is.)

2) Taking ever more away from the middle class to patronize blue collars and watching the next generation growing up with EVEN FEWER values.

3) Gun control laws permit only criminals to possess firearms and law enforcement officers can only carry wiffle bats to prevent brutality.

4) The economy continues to fall apart because everyone deserves the right to come to America no matter where they are from or how legal they are.

I can't wait to see what people who say "Vote for Hope" and "Make the Smart Vote" have  to say when that happens, but don't worry. They'll find a way to blame it on Bush.

a liberal knows very little about what is common, and has no sense. so how can obama talk about common sense?

Over 800 bills sponsored in Illinois
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/07/29/us/politics/20070730_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html

http://www.barackobama.com/factcheck/category/


IRAN
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/10/11/did-obama-skip-the-iran-vote/

PRESENT(100+ out of 4000 votes cast)
http://progressivegovernment.blogspot.com/2007/12/from-anne-and-women-for-obama.html
---------
A ‘present’ for Obama’s opponents? Probably not
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/13989.html
-----------
'Present' votes defended by Ill. lawmakers

In most legislatures, lawmakers vote either “yes” or “no” on bills, but in Illinois, senators and representatives can hit a third button for a “present” vote. Now that quirk — not unique to Illinois — has sparked heated exchanges among Democrats vying for president.

The Land of Lincoln isn’t the only state where lawmakers can register their displeasure without actually voting against a bill. Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, Missouri and Texas also allow “present” votes or similar options in at least one chamber, according to a recent review of chamber rules by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In Hawaii, where Obama grew up, legislators can cast a “kanalua” (a Hawaiian word meaning “doubt”) vote during roll calls, essentially a pass. But after going through the roll call two or three times, depending on the chamber, the “kanalua” vote eventually counts as a “yes.”

In Illinois, the “present” vote works as a vote against a measure during final action.

http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=274863

Obama is more 2 faced than any other politician. Be careful of the person that rises from nothing in such a small amt of time to presidential candidate. I can bet something much more controlling is pulling those strings...Too many will fall for his rhetoric

Also, if he really supported the 2nd amendment, he would have signed the Amicus Brief that Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) started and sent to the Supreme Court for the upcoming 2A arguments.

I read comments about regulating ammunition and what a  problem to have all students be armed...

If Colleges werent so anti-gun, Virginia Tech and NIU wouldnt have had so many deaths. a Concealed carry permit is not given to anyone who asks.

Regulating ammunition is another way to not take guns away but make them too expensive to use for the average law abiding citizen.

Does anyone actually think criminals would buy regulated ammo? Any more than they buy legal guns? If the avg citizen isnt allowed to protect himself, who will? the police? As god as they may be, they cant be in a home or in a dark street when some punk with a knife decides he wants your wallet, watch, life, whatever....

Don't be fooled; Obama would be all for a national handgun ban

My rose-colored glasses are born so would some of you share what you're smoking?  Oh my goodness.  He gave a non-answer and yet people are writing in this forum that he took opinions of both sides and found resolution.  The man said he knew what each side was saying. He didn't bring anybody together. He avoided the answer. Oh, I guess he didn't two minutes to tell his secretary to give him the paper to read the answer!  Obama's going to look funny in his costume with a halo and a big red S on his chest because that's how people are painting him.  We're going to be in so much trouble. The man has already said he would rely on others to make decisions. Things will be so bogged down in committees that nothing will ever get accomplished.  May God have mercy on us.

This country will be arguing "gun issues" long after we are all dead.  So..if I comment on my side of the issue, it will have no effect.

scared - your rose colored glasses are born?  He not only ANSWERED THE QUESTION, he offered up A POTENTIAL STARTING POINT FOR RESOLUTION.  Learn to read.  

victor channel as libiral I find your bubbling offensive. If I was a conserative with the same view I would of course just work to take away your right of free speech (or perhaps torture you for them). Aren't you happy it is the librials that protect the rights of you babbling idiots. By the way if you would open you mind as much as your mouth you might learn something about people running for office. Oh I forgot you do not need to learn. You already know it all Rush told you everything you need to know. Senetor Obama has the same rights as you, to speak his mind. Must upset you to know end to know more people listen to him.

"Unemployed Soldier (if Hillary is elected) "

Dumbest thing I've ever seen posted. What a shame if you were unemployed. After your post, I'm thinking of voting McCain, so you can stay busy hauling a 90lb pack across Iran. Don't whine if you get into trouble - you wanted the job.

I for one as a "Gun Nut" Think that what he's saying about so called Tracable Bullets is just plain stupid!!! What would stop someone from going to a gun range,Picking up some spent cartriges & Leaving them at the scene of the crime.People Kill People not Guns,Guns are a tool.If someone kills someone with a Hammer,Should we be able to trace the hammer? See,Just Dumb...Go McCain!!!
JK,NV (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 2:46 PM)


You can't be that much of a gun nut if you don't know that the firing pin and barrel place specific trace lines on bullets when it travels through, that makes it possible to trace rounds to the specific gun that shot it.  All placing rounds would do is add an additional charge of falsifying evidence to whomever is charged.  We HAVE the technology.  We just have to ensure that it's being utilized.

So Obama believes in "common sense" in how to handle amendments. It would be interesting if a city, or a state, decided to ban abortions in the interest of "common sense". You'd see liberal judges at every level throwing out that legislation.
Bobbie Taylor, Sarasota, FL (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 2:47 PM)


That couldn't come to pass, because where the Federal statute and State & Local statute contradict each other, the Federal Statute is the recognized law.  Thereby making the "Local statute" in your example, unconstitutional.

Don't be afraid of common sense solutions.  Sometimes, they are the best solutions available. :-)

Yo Hillary, you've lost 8 primaries/caucuses since February 5th. How about you and the people of this great country debate whether or not you should drop out of the race or continue this string of embarassing defeats. Deal?

Unemployed Soldier (if Hillary is elected)

You really need to open your ears and listen what people say instead of what you want to hear.

1) Stay in Iraq as long as you want...just stop committing my tax dollars to an unnecessary war in Iraq that only goes to Bush supporters (Halliburton, Blackwater) when they real threat to America is in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Read the intelligence reports. Al-Qaeda is very small in Iraq.

2)What have they proposed that would take away from the middle class? The middle class is getting paid less while energy prices, health, and education costs go up. I think that is the real problem for the middle class. The democratic candidates actually have solutions that are aimed at helping the middle class.  Taxes cuts for the wealthy haven't solved any of the our problems.

3) No one is going to ban all your guns. Hardly an issue for most Americans.

4)Illegal immigration is a problem but it's hardly the cause of our struggling economy.

Mike in Hermosa Beach:

Another "gun free zone" slaughter. Cesare, marchese di Beccaria-Bonesana correctly said in his 1764 On Crimes and Punishment:

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."

A Pro-NRA quote from the 18th century is hardly a convincing argument to be applied to the incident at NIU. Considering the gunman essentially took his victims by surprise, how would an armed group of students be any more able to prevent this from happening? Why isn't it obvious that the odds for even more fatalities increases to students caught in the cross-fire as a consequence of a volly of return fire?
Further and more importantly, why should a person have carry a weapon? Why should that person have to be in fear for his or her life in a nation that considers itself to be civilized, especially at an institution of higher learning for God's sakes?
The pro-gun lobby hates all gun laws. They absolutely refuse to even allow that a connection might exist between gun deaths and the so-called right afforded by the most abused and arcane of constitutional amendments. Exactly what militia was this guy raising?

I've noticed that gun lobbiests rarely, if ever, express any real remorse after these instances take place, preferring either to go into hiding or to lecture us all on why it's our fault, in the first place, that this was allowed to happen.

Re: Anti Reaganess Big Talkers, Columbus Georgia.

I think that Obama's response to the question on gun control is constitutionally correct.  As you should have read, he says that it is in fact, not up to the federal goverment, as a whole, to enact gun control laws, but is, rather, up to the local municipalities (cities/counties).

When he was in the state legislature, it would have been perfectly constitutional for him to back gun control laws for his local municipality.  But now that he is running for President (Federal), it is no longer consitutional for him to back gun control laws, because it is not up to the federal government to decide, rather the states and local municipalities.

Understand the difference?

You can't be that much of a gun nut if you don't know that the firing pin and barrel place specific trace lines on bullets when it travels through, that makes it possible to trace rounds to the specific gun that shot it.
James G., Oak Park, MI (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:19 PM)

Thank you very much James for exposing that so-called gun-nut before I got to him.  I don't understand how some Republicans think that they have total ownership of certain issues (2nd amendment, religion, illegal wars, etc.) and that these types of issues are not thought about by Democrats as well.  It usually ends up that these so-called experts are just imposters trying to create false hysteria, fear, and ignorance.

I'm surprised at the lack of reaction from the Obama campaign at the NIU shootings. Obama is in Wisconsin. Surely a visit to Dekalb, Ill. isn't completely out of the question. A call or two? A press release? An official statement? Where is the remorse, other than the snippit in this article, that a Senator should have when a tragedy like this happens in his home state. I suppose the campaign trail has him a little distracted.

What we need is a better way to deal with people who want to buy weapons; remember that the sole purpose of guns are to kill.  We need greater enforcement of the existing rules as well as new rules that restrict people who have been committed to mental institutions (voluntary or otherwise) from buying a weapons.  

i personally think gun ownership has lost its usefulness in the 21st century, but there is this whole subculture of people packed into rural counties, the midwest, and choice suburbs (not considering the gangbangers, they don't have lobbying power, much less a high school diploma - guns or books? jesus christ how can some of you choose guns?!) who like to prove their masculinity with the thought that, yes, they can kill someone. anyways, guns are different scaled problems to different regions, and common sense gun control is not something i've heard in a while. obama really is the logical choice - unless you're a bigot.

its fun to see some riled up republicans spouting their neo-con, nationalist pride-based anger into coherent sentences. and i thought you all spoke hybrid dialects of leatherface and ed gein. you know, dubya bush speak.

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." - Our President (!)

"If someone kills someone with a Hammer,Should we be able to trace the hammer? See,Just Dumb...Go McCain!!! "

If hammers caused over 75,000 US Deaths per year, maybe we should think about regulating them.  But as a gun nut you seem to forget that this law was written to protect colonists from British soldiers unlawfully  taking their property...and it was written into law to give colonists the write to own muskets.  So if you would like to continue your literal interpretation, give up your hand guns and go buy a musket.  Oh, by the way, get a new "sport."

The 2nd ammendment is the only ammendment that leads to the death of others.  Even the 1st amendment is not absolute...see Supreme Court Cases that do not allow free speech if the speech provokes a riot or other violence...i.e. you can't yell fire in a movie theatre.  If the first amendment is not absolute, why should we the second amendment be absolute and fail to adopt with the times!!!

Why Would Obama not wear a Aamerican Flag Pin, or
put his hand on the bible to be sworn is as Pressident?
When will the American people wake up?  Does that
seem AMERICAN to you?
I don't care for Mrs. Clinton either! She has never been a middle class working woman.  She just wants to spend the money WE make and give it to people who CHOSE not to work.

The food on my table in the 30ts and 40ts came from my dad and 3 brothers hunting, then those brothers went off to fight in WW2, only 1 came home. I have a hand gun and I am 77, it is for my sole protection.  It is very difficult to hunt today with all the regulations and urban sprawl. I miss my fried rabbit, roast pheasant, venison, duck, quail. Let another 9/11 happen and you will all be glad to have those guns. God forbid that anyone would attempt to remove my right to bare arms, then the criminals would be in charge. I have a very hard time listening to pretty speechs about "change" when what we need is action, from experience, integrity and honesty. Straight Talk. Our prisons are loaded with murderers, thiefs and rapists from what race?, One walks free because he got off from killing 2 people, because of his race. Look to the facts and see who needs to be denied access to guns.

I wish the Clinton and Obama supporters would quit sniping at each other and trashing the two candidates.  They are both honorable people in my estimation.  I will support either enthusiastically against the republican in November.  The prise is the Presidency and we need to be united in order to win.

To JK,NV: Yeah It's possible to take someone's spent rounds from a range and commit a crime with them. So, you're right, the bullet tracing idea may not work except for maybe crimes that just happen in the heat of the moment where there is no premeditation. That being said, your logic for the "hammer" is faulty.

Quote: "People Kill People not Guns,Guns are a tool.If someone kills someone with a Hammer,Should we be able to trace the hammer?"

I think that you are overlooking that there is a serious problem with gun related crimes in America. In 2005 there were 11,624 firearm homicides. If there were a sizeable amount of hammer crimes in America then people may need to start paying attention to that. But we are talking about 2 very different things. A hammer would take a whole lot more forethought and physical ability to kill someone with. For that matter, anyone able to commit a murder with a hammer could grab a screwdriver or some other various tool to accomplish the same task. A gun can be touted by any moron as their tool of homicide. It doesn't take skill to aim a shotgun at someone and end their life. Furthermore, assault rifles (automaic weapons) can be used in such a "pray and spray" way that if you have enough rounds you can take out a heard of people. No hammer is capable of that.

Obama's statement:

"We essentially have two realities, when it comes to guns, in this country. You've got the tradition of lawful gun ownership. It is very important for many Americans to be able to hunt, fish, take their kids out, teach them how to shoot. Then you've got the reality of 34 Chicago public school students who get shot down on the streets of Chicago. We can reconcile those two realities by making sure the Second Amendment is respected and that people are able to lawfully own guns, but that we also start cracking down on the kinds of abuses of firearms that we see on the streets."

That's probably the most relevamt statement that I've heard any politician say about the topic at all. I didn't hear him say that he was going to take away all of our guns. From the looks of it, he would only be interested in removing guns from the hands of people who have or would do harm on another person.

Obama put his hand on the Bible and the patriotism issue has been played to death, Flag pins don't make you more patriotic! Jeeez people really need to pass some knowledge test before they get to vote.

The guy is a politician and none of that bunch is clean, not Clinton, not Mccain. However, I want a President who respects the Constitution and use logic and reason in his decisions.

This is a Country with different opinion and that's good, we need liberals to remind the conservatives not to become the enemies we are trying to fight. And we need conservatives to remind liberals not to forget their roots.

Obama seems to be the guy who can bring reasonable (reasonable) people to the common ground, and that's why I support him.

Marty CR Iowa:

Uh... The gunman was white.

That couldn't come to pass, because where the Federal statute and State & Local statute contradict each other, the Federal Statute is the recognized law.  Thereby making the "Local statute" in your example, unconstitutional.

Don't be afraid of common sense solutions.  Sometimes, they are the best solutions available. :-)

James G., Oak Park, MI


So then explain the gun ban laws in many of our cities, including Washington DC and Chicago. By your defintition, they are unconstitutional. If if that's what your saying, then I agree.

What did Pres. Bush say about the incident at NIU? Well, all he could do is offer up a few prayers and blessings. That pretty much sums up the official NRA position: carry and pray.

Marty CR Iowa:

Do yourself a favor. You are old and probably retired. You are a biggot and probably can't be taught otherwise. Enjoy your retirement. Quit worrying about the country. It's time for the next generation to take the reigns from people like you. Newsflash: The Civil War is over - The North Won. Slaves are now free to live how they want and where they want. They can even run for president. The service of your family is greatly appreciated. I'll respect my elders by not saying anything profane.

We need to demand of our representatives a firm stand on gun control!

My question to them would be,"how does, in your view, 2nd amendment gun ownership support the basis of our Constitution stated in our Preamble" ie;

We the People of the United states, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves, and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United states of America.

Amendment II.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary for the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

(... I always thought the framers left out the object of the first phrase -

otherwise it should read, "In order to have a well regulated militia our militiamen need to be able to keep 3 automatic weapons,2 sawed off shotguns and at least 3 Glochs all necessary for the security of a free State". OR to hunt squirrels for your pop-corn popper!

Open your eyes to reality. What are the chances these nuts can get inside a college with a shotgun?? Awake already? Besides, cameras usually pick these nuts without guns, suddenly they start shooting. Someone gives them these guns inside. Ever heard of MK Ultra zombies? READ and learn. And open your eyes once more: Most of these nut job murders are by Jews. Yup, check the net, they are psychotic, drug using, medical cases, many were shortly trained in the Army. Connect dots. Ban guns? Try these Jew nuts. The Second Amendment stands, for protection from Government, nothing else. No fool would dare attack the US, only the rogues inside, sanctioned by... the rogues inside.

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