Excerpt:
Until very recently, a photograph of myself and John Edwards hung on the wall of my office. Before his campaign imploded in Iowa, I’d done some work for the Senator in California. On the night of that particular picture, I’d been standing in the garden of a beautiful house in Beverly Hills, where supporters were hosting a cocktail party to raise money for his long shot bid. Edwards came up behind me and grabbed me by the arm. “You, come with me,” he said. Thinking it was a security guard who’d mistaken me for a trespasser, I’d just about dropped my drink and was about to protest. But when I turned around, Edwards had a huge grin on his face. “Get rid of your name tag,” he said, and I did so just in time for the photographer to snap a shot of the two of us. Earlier this week, I took that photo down. What had been the pride of my office wall had become a bitter reminder of Senator Edwards’ personal indiscretions, a joke for passers-by to point to and say, “hey, isn’t that the guy with the sick wife who knocked up a campaign worker?” Edwards’ precipitous decline from Democratic golden boy to the stereotypical can’t-keep-his-pants-on politician has left me awestruck. Why is it that Edwards, like so many politicians before him, fell prey to the temptations of power? The short answer is that it’s a sense of entitlement. Edwards said in his mea culpa press release that he’d begun to feel as though he were “special.” Read: entitled. Being in positions of power and influence has an incredible effect on the ego, and that’s why we’ve seen so many politicians getting caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar. For the Bob Neys and Ted Stevens of the world, it’s the allure of money. For the Bill Clintons, Gary Harts, and John Edwards, its…well, it’s another vice. The truth is that John Edwards went from leading the Democratic idea debate to just another political sideshow. He’s a supermarket tabloid cover, only worse: in his case, the normally ridiculous “UFOs Spotted at White House” headlines actually got it right. And what’s worse is that Elizabeth Edwards has become the pity case that she never wanted to be, even through her bout with what will certainly be terminal cancer. Too intelligent and too dignified to play the role of Dina McGreevy, she’s nonetheless been featured in the all-too-typical People Magazine “My Struggle” cover piece. In another few months or years, few will remember that Edwards- for better or for worse- raised the bar on national healthcare, essentially cementing the issue into the Democratic platform. He focused the Democratic spotlight on infrastructure and rural investment, two areas that the big-government Bush Administration managed to defund and neglect for the past eight years.
Until very recently, a photograph of myself and John Edwards hung on the wall of my office. Before his campaign imploded in Iowa, I’d done some work for the Senator in California. On the night of that particular picture, I’d been standing in the garden of a beautiful house in Beverly Hills, where supporters were hosting a cocktail party to raise money for his long shot bid. Edwards came up behind me and grabbed me by the arm. “You, come with me,” he said. Thinking it was a security guard who’d mistaken me for a trespasser, I’d just about dropped my drink and was about to protest. But when I turned around, Edwards had a huge grin on his face. “Get rid of your name tag,” he said, and I did so just in time for the photographer to snap a shot of the two of us.
Earlier this week, I took that photo down. What had been the pride of my office wall had become a bitter reminder of Senator Edwards’ personal indiscretions, a joke for passers-by to point to and say, “hey, isn’t that the guy with the sick wife who knocked up a campaign worker?”
Edwards’ precipitous decline from Democratic golden boy to the stereotypical can’t-keep-his-pants-on politician has left me awestruck. Why is it that Edwards, like so many politicians before him, fell prey to the temptations of power? The short answer is that it’s a sense of entitlement. Edwards said in his mea culpa press release that he’d begun to feel as though he were “special.” Read: entitled. Being in positions of power and influence has an incredible effect on the ego, and that’s why we’ve seen so many politicians getting caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar. For the Bob Neys and Ted Stevens of the world, it’s the allure of money. For the Bill Clintons, Gary Harts, and John Edwards, its…well, it’s another vice.
The truth is that John Edwards went from leading the Democratic idea debate to just another political sideshow. He’s a supermarket tabloid cover, only worse: in his case, the normally ridiculous “UFOs Spotted at White House” headlines actually got it right. And what’s worse is that Elizabeth Edwards has become the pity case that she never wanted to be, even through her bout with what will certainly be terminal cancer. Too intelligent and too dignified to play the role of Dina McGreevy, she’s nonetheless been featured in the all-too-typical People Magazine “My Struggle” cover piece.
In another few months or years, few will remember that Edwards- for better or for worse- raised the bar on national healthcare, essentially cementing the issue into the Democratic platform. He focused the Democratic spotlight on infrastructure and rural investment, two areas that the big-government Bush Administration managed to defund and neglect for the past eight years.
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On my interest in politics.
Rosa Colquitt is opening her home to join with others in celebrating Senator Barack Obama's Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech on Thursday evening, August 28th, 6:30 p.m.
Delight us with your favorite side dish and/or dessert. Rosa will provide the main dish and beverages.
Live on a big screen TV, be "in the moment" at the Democratic National Convention and hear the message that will CHANGE A NATION. Join us to share the historic moment when Presidential Candidate Barack Obama moves one step closer to uniting America.
Please RSVP to confirm our count. You'll be sure to get a front row "luxury viewing box seat" to Invesco Field, without standing in line and avoiding the congestion and traffic. :)
Thanks in advance for sharing this historic evening with Friends of Obama. We Are the Winds of Change and the Movement that Drives this Campaign!
Sen. John McCain has a long history of lying to his constituents. If we can harken back to his heroic days in Vietnam, let's then fast forward to the 1980's and the Keating Five*, (Senator McCain was one of the five involved in the S&L scandal). Or his own party in his home state of Arizona calling for his censure in 2006.
I recently heard a pundit on MSNBC say that the Republicans are very good at being focused and consistent with their messages, no matter how untruthful the claim, or how nuanced and shallow the topic, everyone gets on board with the mantra, giving it the credibility it does not deserve.
Senator Obama has responded with denouncements. But when McCain tells out-and-out lies about Barack, "Mr. Maverick" turns the remarkable events of Obama's recent tour of Europe and the Mideast into a sophomoric mocking of his rival's "celebrity", it's time to set the record straight.
Obama's ad response to the "celebrity" issue is very clever, but it focuses on McCain's theme of the week, not Obama's. The Obama campaign's response to the Republican Senator's attack ads and negative jabs on the campaign, should be that of outrage – by Mr. Obama, David Plouf and the heavy hitters of endorsers such as the Clintons, the Kennedys, Govs. Richardson, Sebelius, Kaine and Rendell, Al Gore, Speaker Nancy Peliosi – the whole team. Let's get them in a room together – unified –on camera, facing the viewers and calling McCain on his baggage. The public has a right to know more about the real John McCain in clear, direct terms.
The backdrop has signatures of the backbone of Obama's successful rise to the Democratic Party's nomination: us, the grass roots, volunteers and supporters. On the national stage, for the general election, WE NEED THE PARTY LEADERS TO STAND UNIFIED.
Speaking of the Clintons, why are there still reports in the mainstream media about her "bitter" supporters? I heard a comment on the news today that Clinton supporters (or was it the Clintons themselves?) believe that had John Edwards confessed to his affair before the Iowa primary, Hillary would have won the nomination. This is not unity, folks. Or reality.
How can such a well oiled campaign such as Obama's allow the Hillary factor to continue to try and dilute his leadership and rightful place as the party's nominee for President? Reign her in before it's too late.
It's impressive that Obama is responding to current events "as if" he was the President. I understand that line of thinking.
But first, Senator Obama, you have to win the election.
Libby Klitsch, San Francisco
Obama Volunteer, Supporter and convention volunteer
Today, one Blue Dog Democrat, from the Yahoo! group by that name, which is not connected to mybarackobama.com pointed out that Dewey might have lost in 1948 because he named a Cabinet, but Dewey didn't lose that election solely because he named a Cabinet. That was 60 years ago. Times have changed. Many other factors beat Dewey...
Things are more urgent in 2008; the need for Cabinet level perspectives is paramount, and would precipitate a lot of voters to Obama's side, if he did it in a non presumptuous way, and made it clear that he was opening up the discussion in a fair and egalitarian way.
Personally, I believe we are in such an infernal mess internationally that the Secretary of State job has taken on more importance than the Vice President, and that we need a diplomat with a lot of international exposure, experience and track record. That would be New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, by a long shot....
Attorney General is another vital one: California Attorney General Jerry Brown, by a long shot, in my opinion. His record vis a vis Consumer Protection is stunning and is also sterling. Edwards is out of the picture (maybe like Eliot Spitzer is out of the picture, because of that Southern Male Brain?)
Health Secretary or FDA Commissioner? Very vital. FDA reports to Secretary of Health, and I believe strongly, if he would take the job and wouldn't see it as a step down, DR. Howard Dean III, M.D. would be the best; this is someone I trust a lot, especially at FDA to oversee fully 25% of the US Economy, which is either food or drugs. The corporate manipulation of FDA is killing America and big chunk of the rest of the world.
Even if Obama's top advisors are too scared of announcing Cabinet choices or a range of Cabinet choices, which they should not be at all, we can still talk about them, while we are not convincing fence sitters to vote for Obama.
The best tool I know of are his speeches, like the Berlin Speech, which has convinced many of my fence sitter friends, and for the devotees in Santa Fe, they in turn have printed it out and used it to convince other fence sitters. I managed over great difficulties to publish the entire Berlin Speech in the Santa Fe Sun News, of which I am the Managing Editor. When I was hunting down the precise complete text thereof, I couldn't even find it at mybarackobama.com, so I published it here a few blogs ago....
I am a member of about 70 different Obama groups, and I have noticed a tendency for the most active members to wallow in self congratulatory B.S., nitpick over what should be psychoanalytic conjecture, hairsplitting, noshing, chatting, and mere linguistic controversy, means that all doing this are entirely missing the point that we have an election to win.
All of the yukking-it-up in the world is not going to win it. It means take the time to pound the pavement, take literature that you yourself print out from various sites, and take it door-to-door in your neighborhood.
If we don't do this, we can still easily lose this election in November. Make no mistake. It is only about 90 days away, our supreme test!
Stephen Fox, Managing Editor Santa Fe Sun News
PS: There is much more meaningful dialogue about Campaing Strategies and Tactics going on in some of the groups not connected with barackobama.com, like ObamaBrigade, a Yahoo! group and SecularHumanist, another Yahoo! group. I recommend you join them to be closer to the cutting edge of the Obama Campaign.
Congressional Senate Candidate, Jeff Merkley is a special guest and will talk one-on-one with picnickers as a key stop in the Tualatin/Tigard community part of his 100 Towns Tour for Change across Oregon. Tigard Representative, Larry Galizio is the key note speaker. Local candidates Jessica Adamson (Sherwood/ Wilsonville) and Jeff Barker (Aloha) will also join in the afternoon festivities.
The event following on the heels of the the Annual Tualatin Crawfish Festival a week prior serves up a fun relaxing afternoon with Obama and Democrat supporters from all over Washington County. Children will enjoy the new playground area with decorative gym climbs, and a scenic viewing area overlooking the beautiful Tualatin River. There will be face painting for kids, Obama Bubbles, and a friendly Pull 4 Obama TugO-War game for children and adults. Bring your Frisbees, play catch and throw the softball around the horn, serve it up on the tennis court, shoot three pointers on the basketball court, or bump it up with volleyball.
The main thrust of this event is to acquire new voter registrations in Washington County with a breakthrough concept modeled after drive through coffee stands... a Drive-Thu Voter Registration that can complete the entire sign up process in minutes with the assistance of capable volunteer registrars. The TigardObamanators, is a collective group of experienced and passionate volunteers with a "progressive" spin to traditional campaigning engaging their community to "connect" with neighbors and increase voter support and new registrations - particularly Latino voters in Washington County. This event paves the way to bolster Barack Obama's swelling support across Oregon and the rest of America in addition to key at stake Democratic positions nationwide.
Drive-Thru Voter Registration will be held from 12pm - 4pm. Picnic-goers can relax in the comfort and beauty of the park, enjoy a tasty smattering of potluck delights while having a close-up and personal conversation with local candidates. Here is what is on tap for the afternoon festivities:
2PM "One-on-One" with Jeff Merkley, US Senate Candidate
4:30PM Larry Galizio, House Rep-Tigard Key note speaker, also Jessica Adamson-Sherwood/Wilsonville and Jeff Barker-Aloha.
"A Progressive Approach to Grassroots Change", Gary Lee Jelinek. TigardObamanators guest speakers: Tommy Thorne, Rosa Colquitt, Joe Santana, Julie Toth and Karl Thatcher.
OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT 08 LAWN SIGNS will be available at the TigardObamanators Booth. Supporters are encouraged to pick up their lawn signs, part of "Blanket Oregon with Obama" campaign. Obama T-shirts and bumper stickers will also be available for sale.The community is invited to join in this special up close and personal event to meet the candidates and have fun with friends and family. Bring the whole family down for a nice relaxing summer picnic and remember to bring your camera to take pictures shaking hands with a cardboard real life replica of Presidential Candidate Barack Obama. This will be the closest you'll ever get to fist-bump with the the Democratic Presidential candidate!
CLICK HERE TO RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44vrp
To volunteer and help with this event, email BikerBamaMike at: classicisland@yahoo.com, or call 503-522-1259.
The TigardObamanators combine a talented pool of progressive ideas in this unique first time ever,
PICNIC IN THE PARK Drive-Thru Voter Registration & Meet The Candidates EVENT
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17th 2pm-7pm at Tualatin Community Park.
Jeff Merkley is a special guest and will talk one-on-one with picknickers as a key stop in the Tualatin/Tigard community as part of his 100 Towns Tour for Change across Oregon. Merkley leads Gordon Smith in the latest poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports for the hotly contested US Senate seat while another internal poll shows Merkley surging ahead by 11 points among voters who could rate both candidates.
Rep. Larry Galizio (Tigard) is the key note speaker along with Lupita Maurer from WashCoDems tentatively committed. Local candidates Jeff Barker (Aloha), Jessica Adamson (Sherwood/ Wilsonville) and Ron Morgan, Field Organzier from WashCoDems will also be attending.
The event following on the heels of the the Annual Tualatin Crawfish Festival a week prior serves up a fun relaxing afternoon with Obama and Democrat supporters from all over Washington County. Children will enjoy the new sandpit playground with decorative gym climbs, and a scenic viewing area overlooking the beautiful Tualatin River. Bring your frisbees, play catch and throw the softball around the horn, serve it up on the tennis court, shoot three pointers on the basketball court, or bump it up with volleyball. It's an old fashion POTLUCK and it's BYOB - bring your own BBQ meats, beverages and beach chairs.
The main thrust of this event is to acquire new voter registrations in Washington County with a breakthrough concept modeled after drive through coffee stands... a Drive-Thu Voter Registration that can complete the entire sign up process in minutes with the assistance of capable volunteer registrars. The TigardObamanators in cooperation with WashCoDems have joined forces to increase Latino voter registrations in local communities and this event paves the way to bolster Barack Obama's swelling support across Oregon and the rest of America in addition to key at stake Democratic positions nationwide.
The Voter Registration drive is from 1-5pm. Picnic-goers can relax in the comfort and beauty of the park, enjoy a tasty smathering of potluck delights while having a close-up and personal conversation with local candidates. Here is what is on tap for the afternoon festivities:
4:30PM Larry Galizio, House Rep-Tigard Key note speaker. Also Lupita Maurer, WashCoDems Chair (tentative), Jeff Barker-Aloha, and Jessica Adamson-Sherwood/Wilsonville.
"A Progressive Approach to Grassroots Change", Gary Lee Jelinek. TigardObamanators leaders: Tommy Thorne, Rosa Colquitt, Joe Santana, Julie Toth and Karl Thatcher.
OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT 08 LAWN SIGNS will be available at the TigardObamanators Booth. We're asking everyone to make a donation, pick up one, two or more signs and put it proudly in your lawn in full view. This will accomplish our goal to BLANKET OREGON WITH OBAMA CAMPAIGN. Imagine the impact when your neighbors drive down the street loaded with Obama for President Lawn signs all over the neighborhood. Let's all make it happen, pick up your OBAMA YARD SIGNS! Obama T-shirts and bumper stickers will also be available for sale.Bring the whole family down for a nice relaxing summer picnic and don't forget your camera. You might get an opportunity to shake hands and have your picture taken with Barack Obama, not in the flesh, but a 6'1" cardboard real life likenss of the Leader of Change. This will be as close as you'll ever get to fist-bump with the real Mr. President!
To volunteer and help with this event, email BikerBamaMike at: classicisland@yahoo.com, or call 503-522-1259 . Now do us a big favor and email this link to all your Obama friends, Independents and yes even your Republican neighbors (you'll be surprised at the number of Republicans who have already crossed over!). http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44vrp
We invite all of you to join the ObamaTrain speeding full steam ahead to Washington D.C. Destination... The White House with Barack Obama as our next elected President and Leader of Change, Yes We CAN!
Tualatin Community Park Location: SW Tualatin Rd & Boones Ferry Rd - downtown Tualatin 2 blocks north of Haagens Store and Tualatin Commons off of SW Tualatin-Sherwood Rd.http://yellowpages.mapquest.com/search?query=tualatin+community+park&area=tualatin%2C+or+97062&invocationType=localTopBox.search
