If I recall correctly, the Clintons are mainstream, non-evangelical protestants...maybe Methodists? You know, one CAN be Christian, or any religion for that matter, and still believe in the separation of church and state. Just because you believe it, doesn't mean you preach it.

The African American church community (i.e. AME) has a long, strong history in this country of delving into politics. The reason for this is because back in MLK's day (and earlier), church was often the center of the black community, one of the few places they could gather publicly en masse without fear of opression. Many leaders of the African American community emerged from the many meetings organized in churches/houses of worship, led by passionate, inspiring preachers, MLK, Malcolm X, and Jesse Jackson being a few. Religion had a big role in the civil rights movement. But one could argue that it had as much to do with the right meeting space, right audience, right message, and right TIME, more than the religion. The church had a political use at that time, mainly because there was so far to go in civil rights in this country, and people needed BIG, "out there" leaders to push them. Not to diminish the growth that still needs to happen here, but the reason people like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are not taken seriously these days (aside from their personal issues) is because, well, they've already served their purpose. Their community doesn't feel the same need to have religious leaders dictating political movements - they have other organizations for that.

The "white" evangelical Christian churches popping up all over the country these days concern me far more than mainstream Muslims or Jews, or things a radical black preacher says. Why? Because their brand of political activism focuses on taking rights AWAY. Why are people so afraid to let others practice a different religion? Just because my neighbor goes to temple, and the chick down the street goes to church on Saturdays, doesn't mean I can't still go to my church on Sunday. Any politician that feels threatened by allowing free practice of religion in this country is awfully suspicious to me, and that includes the freedom to NOT practice religion if one chooses.

I'm not opposed to this option, simply because it forces the Michigan legislature themselves to fix the problem. The fact that they are doing it themselves makes it less likely for this debacle to happen in the future.

let the chruch say AMEN


BTW did anyone see Keith Olbermann tonight?

Obama discussed his views with his dealings with Wright...very oised and to the point.

According to wikipedia - Bill's a Baptist, Hillary is a Methodist.

After reading that article, I'll be curious to see if it actually happens. Two weeks to get it through the legislature before they go on vacation. Where's the money coming from? Is the Mich. Democratic Party playing MegaMillions?

Bumping this because this morning Bill Richardson endorsed Obama.

Considering Richardson's history and relationship with the Clintons, I'm really really surprised by that.

I think that if Obama gets the nomination he should pick Bill Richardson as his VP. They share similiar views, Richardson would hopefully help him with the Hispanic vote, and he backed Obama at perhaps his lowest in popularity.:)

No do-over for Michigan. Now they are suggesting that the delegates get split evenly. My personal feeling is that if you aren't going to find out who we really want, then don't seat our delegates at all.

This Newsweek article on why Ron Paul still continues to run in spite of the hurdles he is experiencing is brilliant. He also explains why he won't give McCain an endorsement and why the Hillary/Obama fight for the Dem nomination (and the issues the press has been raising involving such) is meaningless.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/124451/page/1

i think it's great that he's so upbeat and optomistic.



but i still don't think he will get the nomination

Well I am glad Michigan figured it out...they broke the rules and now they just have to deal with the consequences.

Such an easy concept - and so easily ignored!


I have 2 hours to decide whether to change parties for the primary, in order to vote AGAINST the person I don't want to be a viable candidate! So far, the only thing stopping me is the sense of justice, that I chose a party and have to deal with the fact that the candidate has already been selected. *sigh*

Actually whether or not he gets the nomination isn't nearly as important as him getting his message out on constitutional-based small government, a non-interventionist foreign policy, a real money-backed currency (read: gold and/or silver-based currency) , and a free market economic policy.

His winning the presidency will be an easier means to achieve these ends, but empowering the people to realize these items will bring us back to America's founding roots, and to either demand their government to return us to those roots, or run for positions of influence to achive these ends will serve just as effectively.

IMHO even if McCain gets the nomination, short of some serious poll rigging, I'd be hard pressed to believe he will win the presidency.

I'd like to say you're wrong, but you may not be. Voters can be pretty stupid.

but never underestimate the power of the Democratic party to take what looks like a sure win for an election and blow it!

it bears repeating. :rolleyes:

You'll enjoy this Time article, too, entitled "Why Ron Paul Scares the GOP": http://www.time.com/time/politics/ar...724358,00.html

Thanks. *gives the articles two thumbs up*

Too bad Michael Grunwald is gonna get pink-slipped for writing it. :p :D

A McCain Moment: Do You Want Four More Years
 

A McCain Moment: Do You Want Four More Years
of This?

Arianna Huffington http://www.caglepost.com/lib/img/ico/rss.gif 3/26/2008
If our polarized country can agree on one thing, it’s that the greatest danger facing America over the next decade will not be Islamic extremism and instability in the Middle East, but rather Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. That’s just “common knowledge,” right?

So it only makes sense that the media have focused nonstop on this looming threat while paying scant attention to the fact that the presumptive Republican nominee for president apparently doesn’t have a clue about what’s going on in the Middle East.

And with the U.S. death toll hitting 4,000 (with 25 American soldiers killed over the last two weeks, the deadliest fortnight for our troops since September 2007), and with another 57 people killed in Iraq on Sunday, John McCain’s tenuous grasp on what is happening in the region becomes all the more worthy of attention.

For those who were too busy watching Rev. Jeremiah Wright damn America for the 10,000th time to hear about McCain, let’s review: at a stop in Jordan last week, McCain made the ludicrous claim that al-Qaida insurgents were being trained in Iran. Asked again about it, he dug in deeper, claiming it was “common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaida is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that’s well known.”
http://www.caglepost.com/column/Aria...s+of+This.html

Jon, of all the stuff, Huffington? Come on dude.

Scandal in the Making
 

A stalemate at the Federal Election Commission could block public financing for the fall

IMAGINE THIS scenario: It's late summer. The Democratic and Republican conventions are about to begin. The parties' nominees have decided that it would be better for the political system -- and, no doubt, easier for them -- to accept full public financing for the general election rather than scramble to raise the money on their own. But there's no way for them to get the checks, about $85 million apiece. That's because before the checks can be issued, the Federal Election Commission must certify each nominee's eligibility to receive federal funding. Four commission members are required for such certification -- and because of a congressional standoff over confirming new members, the FEC is now operating with just two members out of the six it is supposed to have. This means that, in addition to being frozen on public financing, the FEC is unable to write regulations, launch enforcement actions or issue advisory opinions.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...v=rss_opinions

This would seem to be a much bigger gaffe on McCain's part to me if I felt like most people have any idea what it's actually plausible for al-Qaida to be doing. Had he not immediately corrected himself based on what Joe L. whispered to him, would Arianna Huffington even have known that it wasn't what he meant to say or that it wasn't accurate?

I also think it's funny that people are trying to claim that the story isn't being reported. Who hasn't heard about this happening? Just people some people don't think McCain misspeaking and making an immediate correction is proof he's clueless means that no one knows it happened? Really?

Obama draws big crowd at Penn State; his PA tour
 

Obama's Penn State rally draws 20,000
http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/ap/1c2a...12.hmedium.jpg
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Shivering in blankets of Penn State's colors, some 20,000 people filled a campus lawn Sunday to hear Barack Obama say he can win the Democratic nomination even if rival Hillary Rodham Clinton stays in the race. ... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21663493/from/ET/

The Pennsylvania primary isn't until April 22nd -- it should be interesting but GOOD LORD does this primary season seem loooooooooonnnggggg. Let's just open the polls in the remaining states and get it done with already.

And had to highlight my favorite paragraph from the story, it's just so... PA. :)

My new PC wallpaper. :D

Ok, so it's looking like a 10-ish percentage point spread, Clinton over Obama in PA.

Reactions?

Not happy, but not surprised.

I agree with what you said in an earlier post...primary season is getting looong.

I keep reminding myself of the number of people I know who switched parties to confuse the pundits. Which means that few of "facts" behind PA's primary are completely true and the spin doctors will go into a frenzy, making it sound good for everybody. Seriously, does anyone really think that Hillary is a hunter who slams down a shot and a beer on a regular basis?

Democrats Registering In Record Numbers
 

Democrats Registering In Record Numbers
1 Million New Voters For Last 7 Primaries

RALEIGH, N.C. -- They lined up shoulder to shoulder inside the gray high-rise downtown, their politics as diverse as their backgrounds. An ex-felon who needs health insurance, followed by a high school student seeking empowerment, followed by a Marine Corps veteran who wants to prevent his country from crumbling.
Like hundreds of others, their quests led them to the Wake County voter services office this month to register as Democrats for the first time. The line of newcomers that snaked across the checkered tile floor was emblematic of those that have formed across the country this year: black voters, young voters, lifelong Republicans switching parties -- all registering in record numbers, and all aligning as Democrats.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...T2008042702368

Eyes on Blue-Collar Voters, Obama Shifts Style
 

Eyes on Blue-Collar Voters, Obama Shifts Style
ANDERSON, Ind. — Senator Barack Obama is making subtle changes to his campaign style and message in an effort to strengthen his appeal to blue-collar voters and to avoid a defeat in Indiana that aides fear could give Democratic Party leaders further pause about his viability in a general election.
On Sunday, Mr. Obama went to a Methodist church in Indianapolis, the kind of event rarely on his public schedule. He suited up for a game of basketball on Friday night before television cameras. And the big, energy-filled stadium rallies that were the bread and butter for most of his campaign have once again given way to smaller town-hall-style meetings, where he is seen talking with people and not at them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/us...tuK7e7joyWpnmg

Obama strongly denounces former pastor
 

Obama strongly denounces former pastor

Candidate calls Wright's recent comments 'wrong and destructive'

HICKORY, N.C. - Democrat Barack Obama said Tuesday he was outraged by the latest assertion by his former pastor that criticism of his fiery sermons is an attack on the black church.
The presidential candidate is seeking to tamp down the growing fury over Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his incendiary remarks that threaten to undermine his campaign.
"I am outraged by the comments that were made and saddened by the spectacle that we saw yesterday," Obama told reporters at a news conference.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24371827/

NC Governor endorses Clinton
 

Not sure how I missed this the other day, but I just saw this story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24369144/

I'm sure there's some angling for the VP slot in this, but it's still a good "get" for her campaign.

Howard Dean is on The Daily Show -- he just said they are "going to find a way" to seat Florida and Michigan's delegates at the convention. Nothing specific about HOW, just they'll "find a way."

Ugh - seriously? Well, apparently Howard Dean is indeed the spineless douche others asserted him to be . . . just unreal stupid.

I mean really....
 

Ok...see..now everyone true colors are coming out...I just had it on and really wasn't paying attention...but Chris Matthews was doing his usual thing (discussing Barack and Wright) but then...this question came up:

'Is this always gonna be available as a way for his critics and opponents to put him back in the ghetto?' - Chris Matthews

I mean we know Obama is black but why does he have to be 'from the ghetto.'?

ESPECIALLY WHEN HE IS NOT




Gosh you gotta love it....sheeeeeesh!

Anyone else catch that? People with felony convictions can't vote.

I dunno. It amused me that the author didn't realize that.

Edit: Just kidding. Turns out that's only in three states.

Like you, until recently I didn't think that felons could vote in a lot of places. I saw something recently that said many states let them vote again once all aspects of the sentence have been served, so if you served 10 years in prison and were on probation for 10 more, you could vote at the end of those 20 once you had satisfied all the requirements of the sentence.

It seems about right to me although the idea of felons as a specific voting block would worry me a bit. A group unified on a shared history of committing felonies isn't particularly who want my politicians more responsive to because many politicians seem to be so naturally gifted in this area on their own.

I know I should care and I will vote, but what a really crappy choice to opt for!

They are all scarry as hell! We think it is bad now?:rolleyes:

Read the story-just a few lines down:
"Robertson always thought the felony charge disqualified him from voting, until his girlfriend picked up a registration form last month at a hair salon and read the fine print (ex-felons may vote in North Carolina if they complete all terms of their sentence, such as probation or parole). She brought it home to the two-bedroom apartment they share with their four children and told him to fill it out."

especially since he just called himself (facetiously i suppose), "a white guy from Hawaii."