Iowa update

jack — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:27:08 GMT

Chuck, It doesn't matter. Obama is finished. This pastor thing is a fatal blow. All the talk about judgement. He lost a ton of supporters, and will continue to. He endorsed this foul mouth anti-american, anti-semite, anti-white, anti-gov't. He will never recover. Americans are done being fooled.

Iowa update

PA — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:40:30 GMT

Oh boy!

Iowa update

Jimmy, PA — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:40:57 GMT

Oh boy!

Iowa update

Bill C. — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:49:13 GMT

H I L L A R Y C L I N T O N . C O M

Iowa update

Tom in MA — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:00:10 GMT

I can't believe with all that's been going on the past few days that Obama would gain delegates. This country sure seems to be in a sad state.

Iowa update

fortuna, Houston, TX — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:05:09 GMT

Woo-Hoo!

Iowa update

Flander Annapollis — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:17:39 GMT

Well, I guess Hillary wished she hadn't said Iowa wasn't important. She must have forgotten this process.

Iowa update

Andrea — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:18:59 GMT

Yeah Obama!

Iowa update

Kevin — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:19:37 GMT

Still Rolling!

Iowa update

caligirl — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:21:05 GMT

i love it, i love it, i love it!!! THANK YOU, IOWANS!!!

OBAMA '08!!!

Iowa update

OBwan, In — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:21:06 GMT

Sen. Clinton holds campaign events in Puttsburgh, PA. Where is Puttsburg, PA?

What a long convoluted process Iowa has.

Iowa update

tony — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:21:59 GMT

Obama's Self-Portrait
By Mona Charen

Barack Obama's words are often attractive but oddly concealing. His speeches are all balm and mood. It's all very well to seek, as Obama claims, to transcend old categories, to reject the "old politics." But then what? This graceful rhetorician leaves you wondering: Who is he really? What does he want for himself and for his country?

In search of answers that go deeper than the Congressional Record, I read his first book, "Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance." Once you get past the happy surprise of finding a politician who can actually write, the book contains some disquieting elements.

Obama is the product of a union between a white Kansan and a black Kenyan who met in Hawaii. I had assumed, before reading his memoir, that Obama viewed himself as a natural bridge between the races and that his message of unity sprang in part from his biology. That was wrong. From his earliest years, Obama engaged in a preoccupying internal struggle to make himself a fully authentic black man.

Young Barack hardly knew his father because the elder Obama left when he was 2. One meeting when Barack was 10 and a few letters were all he had. Only much later would Obama discover that his father had many wives and many children -- all of whom wound up disappointed in him. Barack's mother, Ann, went on to marry another non-American, an Indonesian named Lolo, and took the young Barack to live in Jakarta. Perhaps she was hoping to live some sort of Third World idyll. Obama never reveals her political views nor her feelings about America. But we get one glimpse in this passage:

"Looking back, I'm not sure Lolo ever fully understood what my mother was going through ... why the things he was working so hard to provide for her seemed only to increase the distance between them ... He landed a job in the government relations department of an American oil company. ... Sometimes I would overhear him and my mother arguing in their bedroom, usually about her refusal to attend his company dinner parties, where American businessmen from Texas and Louisiana would slap Lolo's back and boast about the palms they had greased to obtain the new offshore drilling rights, while their wives complained to my mother about the quality of Indonesian help. He would ask her how it would look for him to go alone, and remind her that these were her own people, and my mother's voice would rise to almost a shout.

'They are not my people.'"

Grasping, insensitive Americans? Businesspeople? Or just Americans? Whom did she reject?

Whom does he reject -- or what? Left-wing ideas are not so much articulated in this memoir as presumed. Obama has claimed that his experience living abroad gives him a valuable perspective for a chief executive. Yet his reflections on the effect Western capitalism has had on Jakarta and Chicago's south side sound like warmed over Herbert Marcuse. "How could we go about stitching a culture back together after it was torn? How long might it take in this land of dollars? ... The very existence of the factories, the timber interests, the plastics manufacturer, will have rendered their [Indonesian] culture obsolete; the values of hard work and individual initiative turn out to have depended on a system of belief that's been scrambled by migration and urbanization and imported TV reruns."

Obama's self-portrait in this book is that of a searching, nonjudgmental young man attempting to find his rightful place after a confusing start in life. But he is attracted by the harshly ideological Rev. Jeremiah Wright, whose church he joins. Wright peddles racial grievance religion. Following 9/11, he said, "[W]hite America got a wake-up call ... White America and the Western world came to realize that people of color had not gone away, faded into the woodwork or just 'disappeared' as the Great White West kept on its merry way of ignoring black concerns."

Obama says he doesn't agree with Wright about everything. Fine. And maybe he doesn't agree with his wife when she (twice) said that she'd never been proud of her country until its people began to support her husband. But then, what did he mean when he said on March 4 that making a little girl proud to say she is an American is the "change we are calling for"?

One suspects that beneath the soothing talk, there is bitterness in the man that we'd best learn more about before voting.

Iowa update

John Atlanta, GA — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:24:57 GMT

Hillary can still do this :)

Iowa update

Sue, Bloomington, IN — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:39:59 GMT

Way to go, Iowa!!! Go Obama.

Iowa update

twocanpete — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:41:50 GMT

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com
Maybe HRC shouldn’t have been so dismissive toward the Iowa caucus after her loss. I can understand the it must of stung a little to buy sandwiches for all the hayseeds and then have them turn around and vote for I guy ‘just because he’s black’ but it would have been for her own good to be a little more gracious. There are, after all, more delegates at stake from this state.

Iowa update

mike in Des Moines Iowa — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:42:12 GMT

Looks like the kitchen sink strategy has run its course. And perhaps the beginning of a pro-Obama movement in all the caucus states Clinton has been dissing for not supporting her.

Iowa update

Geoff in Brooklyn — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:45:18 GMT

So, am I right that Obama now needs "just" 401 delegates to secure the nomination? Might he reach that before June? say, 200 more pledged delegates and 201 more supers?? I gues that'd require a SuperD landslide......but is it possible?

Iowa update

Grant, Des Moines, Iowa — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:47:44 GMT

I was one of the delegates that went to a convention today.

A nice chunk of the edwards delegates were holding on not so much because they don't lean one way, but to retain some autonomy and 'voice' at the state level to have some bargaining in terms of platform.

Many of them were persuaded by non-edwards "uncommitted" delegates.

While Hillary may want Florida and Michigan's voters to have each vote count, her campaign actively called obama alternates telling them they weren't needed, and asking people to switch (effectively overriding those who voted in the caucus). And I'm speaking as someone who went with someone familial who ended up switching from the phonecall who despite switching, still thought the phonecalls were aggravating.

Many of the conventions had an 'interesting' time coping with amount of people showing up.

One pet peeve was not mentioning the 'delegate' donation fee was not mandatory, semi-tacky.

Good experience, but its amazing how participation threw the DNC for a loop.

Iowa update

Yiannis, Baltimore — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:49:30 GMT

WOOHOO,

I'm sure we'll gain more from Edwards's group.

I am confident that Obama will completely out-organize Hillary in Denver.

The problem is he then has only 3 months to introduce himself to the general electorate.

Iowa update

Frances Smith, Glendora, California — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:51:34 GMT

I heard that Obama got another 6 to 8 delegates after the final count in California was certified. Does anyone know if these new delegates are included in the count listed above?

GO OBAMA!

Iowa update

Ehiosa — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:57:07 GMT

There is a new generation waiting to take over the mantle of leadership. Our generation. Please let us take the mantle without the old ways of divisiness. We are all american. Even with our flaws, there is a greater good uniting us than the divisivenss that is about to rear its ulgy head. The news media should please help us. We know in our hearts that Obama will be the leader in this generation. JFK/Bobby kennedy was the ones in the 60's. They, the divisive elements killed them. Please becareful for we do not want anything to harm Obama. Theses are dangerous times. Thanks MSNBC.

Iowa update

Kadee Sanders, Saint Louis, Missouri — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:57:29 GMT

Obama is not dead.His campian goes on. Yes We Can Obama 08

Iowa update

Sue, Bloomington, IN — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:59:13 GMT

Way to go Iowa!!! Go Obama!

Iowa update

Chad, Salt Lake City Utah — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:00:32 GMT

So neither of them went after the others pledged delegates, which is comforting. First Read, can we get an up date on whether or not Hillary will try to do this in future contests where there are no Edwards delegates?

Iowa update

Jason, Wilmette, IL — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:04:47 GMT

Hillary Clinton is actually further behind in pledged delegates than she was on March 1st. So much for HRC's "big win" on Super Tuesday.

The Math
RI - HRC +5
Ohio - HRC +9
Texas - Obama +4 (includes caucus)
Vermont - Obama +3
Wyoming - Obama +2
Miss. - Obama + 5
Iowa - Obama +6

That's right - in March Obama has actually increased his pledged delegate lead by 6.

Iowa update

Kay - Stockton — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:08:40 GMT

I for one am glad to see that Obama is leading in delegates at this point. I chose to ignore the media putting his every move under the microscope and will indeed vote for him....I am a 54 year old white woman who went through the CLINTON years and I for one, do not want to see that dynasty again. Obama is the future and for what the media seems to "DIG" up about HIM; they have totally ignored the CLINTONS taking money from Rezko; the lawsuit they are involved in where there were hiding the money they received, and there is more on the Clinton dynasty that the media has refused to introduce....but the man who can draw a crowd into a football stadium shows promise to me. I truly do not believe it is fair that there are TWO Clintons going after each state - thus the Billary name; Obama and McCain are going alone to each state....we don't need the CLINTONS in office again...if you didn't live those years and you are young and a first time voter...vote OBAMA...the Clinton years were full of scandal, lies and secrets that have yet to be revealed. I am ashamed that this country, in trying to make great strides for the future of our children, still doesn't realize that the United States in a multi-cultural country... we are all human beings and we all have our own heritage, vote for someone who told the truth today and not for some one who said she helped make progress in Ireland.....she had tea...period. Make this country right for your children....we are all AMERICANS no matter what race, color or creed....stand up for your country and do the right thing....

VOTE OBAMA

Iowa update

Ken — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:11:15 GMT

OUTSTANDING! Iowa comes through again!

Iowa update

Bonnie Adkins — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:13:19 GMT

I am an Obama Delegate chair for Muscatine county and we held our caucus delegates and gained the Richardson and Dodd delegates. Hillary gained 0 and actually came out with a loss. The Obama support remains strong, committed and ready to carry our delgates to the district and state conventions. Once again the grassroots organization of the Obama campaign proves it is second to none.
Bonnie

Iowa update

Eric Murphy Ayden, NC — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:19:05 GMT

Doesn't matter. The math has had this race over for some time :)

Iowa update

Nikki, Alexandria, VA — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:22:44 GMT

YAY!!!!! "No weapons formed against you shall prosper". Keep pressing on in your presidential way Senator Obama!! :-) (Also, you rock Chuck!!)

Iowa update

Miles — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:25:41 GMT

Won't she please just move on with her life and end this already? Oh wait, she doesn't have a life. Or a soul.

Iowa update

March Madness Reality Check — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:29:47 GMT

Hillary Clinton has become like the college basketball coach who instructs his team to foul at the end of games despite there being very little chance of them winning. They say they're just "trying to extend the game and give their team the best chance of winning." And yet, everyone in the arena knows they have no chance. So, the crowd starts booing and...eventually the clock runs out and they lose. But, in the interim, they foul with as much venom as possible. And, if somebody on the other team gets hurt...oh well, it's just a game.

Iowa update

Jamaal Adam, — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:41:14 GMT

Yep, indeed when you have math stacked wayy up against you, it is like being in a house with airtightly locked doors and windows with no way out. The only way out is to burn the house to the ground. And thus Hilary continues to play the race card, inflame and polarize voters against Obama in the hope that the powers that be will be confused, "hoodwinked" and "bamboozled" to nominate her.

How on earth she plans to overcome a 155 (1407 to 1252)deficit among elected delegates with few meaningful races remaining, save Pensylvania, is beyond the grasp of even the average thinker. Now, I am almost certain that she has thrown every imaginable dirty fork, knife, spoon, bowl, and greasy dish that cluttered her kitchen sink. The kitchen sink is almost empty now, with all utensils, dishes and leftover food cluttering the floor.

Iowa update

Sue, Chicago — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:43:31 GMT

Go, Barack, go!

Iowa update

John Doe, Seattle Wash. — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:45:37 GMT

This is a big deal. Obama gains a net of 7 delegates today because half of the Edwards delegates in Iowa changed sides and joined him. To put it in perspective, Clinton had a net gain of 9 delegates after winning Ohio.

Iowa update

Kennedy — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:48:45 GMT

Clinton did not gain any Delegates. Why carry water for her. Todd you are increasingly becoming pro Hillary just like the others. I thought the media was suppose to be neutral and report accurately. Dam!!! this country is sinking.