Current Delegate Totals In the 2008 Presidential Races

I Did My Part

I think Barack Obama showed very well in yesterday's Super Tuesday elections across America. He had some very large victories and even in most of the states he did not win, he finished a close second. The delegate totals are tight (MSNBC is reporting Obama 838 to HRC 834) and this long nomination process will continue.

I am disappointed that Obama did not do better in California, although he was very far behind in the polls until a little over a week ago. I know I did my part to help him win. I made hundreds of phone calls, talked to many people in person, volunteered and attended many events and even held a small visibility and get-out-the-vote rally in my own precinct on Monday. I convinced 12 first time voters and 1 disenchanted older voter to vote for Obama.

I am glad to see that Obama carried San Francisco:

San Francisco

Candidate	Votes	% of votes
Barack Obama	88,886	52%
Hillary Clinton	75,341	44%
John Edwards	3,715	2%
100% of precincts reporting

source: MSNBC.com

I did what I could do. I did my part. Now it's up to you who live in the next states to vote to do yours. You can start here.

My Top 5 Reasons for Supporting Barack Obama for President

Here are my top 5 reasons for supporting Barack Obama for president of the United States of America.

1. Barack Obama brings a message of hope and optimism to politics that has been long absent in our nation’s recent history. He is inspiring millions of new voters and giving hope to many who had been turned off by negativity, dishonesty and corruption in politics. He has asked his supporters not just for their money, but has given them the opportunity to get involved and be a part of something greater than themselves.

2. Obama is appealing not just to Democrats, but also Independents and Republicans who see the need to work together to solve many of this nation’s problems such as healthcare, education, energy, and the economy. More so than any other candidate, Obama seeks to build a new collation to tackle these large scale problems.

3. After what will have been 8 years of a disastrous Bush Presidency, Obama seeks to bring competent people to fill important government posts. He is not taking any money in his campaign from Washington lobbyists or PACs. The people he appoints will be answerable to the American people and not special interests. In confronting entrenched interests such as the health insurance and pharmaceutical companies, Obama wants to televise these discussions and through transparency, the people will see what is happening.

4. Obama has a comprehensive vision and sees how many of our problems and thus their solutions are tied together. He argues in his book “The Audacity of Hope” how creating “green” jobs to work for energy independence will strengthen our economy, lessen our dependence on foreign oil and create new opportunities for millions of workers in America, while addressing the challenges of global warming and pollution.

5. Obama is the most electable democrat. By appealing to Independents and some Republicans, he will be able to draw votes that other democratic candidates cannot. Here are some polls that show how Obama ranks head to head against John McCain (who seems to be the Republican frontrunner):

(Source: http://www.pollingreport.com/wh08gen.htm)

Cook Political Report/RT Strategies Poll. Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2008. N=855 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3.4.

McCain: 45% McCain: 41%

Clinton: 41% Obama: 43%

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2008. N=1,249 adults nationwide. Fieldwork by TNS. Current results based on registered voters.

McCain: 50% McCain: 47%

Clinton: 45% Obama: 48%

If John McCain is the Republican nominee, he will be difficult to beat. Obama has the best chance of doing so, by appealing to people outside the Democratic Party. John McCain has said that troops may remain in Iraq for another 50, 60 or even 100 years. Obama opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning and is committed to bringing our troops home as quickly and as safely as possible.

On February 5, 2008, Stand for Change and vote for Barack Obama!

To learn more visit: www.barackobama.com

Obama: Style with Substance

Barack Obama is the most inspirational leader in my lifetime. I have been following his career since he first ran for the U.S. Senate. Inspirational leadership has been truly lacking in this country for a very long time. I know Obama will motivate us and awaken us to new possibilities as president. However, many critics claim that he is all style and no substance - that he is some sort of demagogue who says nice things but will do little. They ask where the substance is. If all we had from Obama were his powerful and moving speeches, they might be right. But we have far more than that. He has accomplished much in his lifetime, both inside and outside government. He offers a 64 page summary of his plans in his "Blueprint for Change". With Obama we get both the substance and the style that we are in need of in America today.

Yes We Can Video

Here is a supporter-created video that puts Barack Obama's speech to music.

Hillary Supporters Push Polling in California

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Californians are receiving a Pro-Hillary push poll. This is the kind of politics that we Obama supporters are fighting against. Read the story here.

Olbermann on the Bush Administration Protecting Law-breaking Telecom Companies

Keith Olbermann had another excellent "Special Comment" regarding the Bush administration’s efforts to give Telecom companies retroactive immunity for their involvement in illegal wiretapping of American citizens. I can't say it any better than he did.

Ted Kennedy in Oakland for Barack Obama

I returned a short time ago from Oakland where I attended a Barack Obama rally where Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Senator Ted Kennedy spoke. Kennedy spoke passionately for Obama, calling this the most important election in his lifetime. I met some very interesting people, most of whom were quite inspired by Obama's candidacy for president. There were some undecided voters as well, who had the opportunity to see firsthand the excitement and enthusiasm of the Obama movement. The energy was amazing. Many SEIU union members were there. People were chanting "Si Se Pueda, Yes we can, Obama '08, and of course, Fired up, ready to go." Many held signs up and almost every car driving by honked their horn and showed off their own Obama signs in a display of support. It was great to feel a part of this amazing movement.

Here is news coverage of the event.

Sí Se Pueda

California, Sí Se Pueda

El precandidato por el Partido Demócrata a la presidencia de Estados Unidos, Barack Obama.

Ted Kennedy Endorses Barack Obama

Ted Kennedy, the long serving senator from Massachusetts,and brother of slain President John F. Kennedy, has endorsed Barack Obama. He writes:


"...Barack inspires me -- it's that simple. In the words of President Kennedy:

"The world is changing. The old ways will not do… It is time for a new generation of leadership."

In Barack, I see that next generation of American leadership: a figure who can transcend the divisions in this country that my family and I have fought so hard to tear down.

We were all moved four years ago as Barack told us a profound truth: We are not red states and blue states, but one United States. Since then, he has matched that rhetoric with action, traveling the country to inspire record turnouts of men and women of all ages, races, parties and faiths. Barack has forged consensus in the Senate on contentious issues such as immigration and pushed through necessary reforms like the most far-reaching ethics reform in its history.

But I'm not only supporting Barack because of what he has done. What counts in our leadership is not the length of years in Washington, but the reach of our vision, the strength of our beliefs, and that rare quality of mind and spirit that can call forth the best in our country and our people.

That's why I'm most excited about the promise of President Obama..."

Read his full remarks here.

Here is video of Senator Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama:

Obama Wins Landslide Victory in South Carolina!

Barack Obama won by a huge margin in the February 26 Democratic primary in South Carolina. I am so happy by his victory and hope this will help us on February 5th when many more states hold their primaries on Super Tuesday. Barack Obama's message of hope for a better future seems to be catching on and people are rejecting the policies of dirty politics and polarization. Here is Obama's victory speech:


I was also very pleased to learn that Caroline Kennedy has endorsed Barack Obama in the New York Times entitled "A President Like My Father". Powerful words indeed. Read the whole piece here.

In another positive development, the San Francisco Chronicle has endorsed Barack Obama for President as well. Read their endorsement here.

John Kerry Defends Obama and Confronts "Swiftboating" Tactics

Barack Obama has been defending himself and his record from groundless accusations, misrepresentation and outright lies. John Kerry has come to his fellow senator's defence. In a letter he wrote:

I support Barack Obama because he doesn't seek to perfect the politics of Swiftboating -- he seeks to end it.

This is personal for me, and for a whole lot of Americans who lived through the 2004 election.

As a veteran, it disgusts me that the Swift Boats we loved while we were in uniform on the Mekong Delta have been rendered, in Karl Rove's twisted politics, an ugly verb meaning to lie about someone's character just to win an election. But as someone who cares about winning this election and changing the country I love, I know it's not enough to complain about a past we can't change when our challenge is to win the future -- which is why we must stop the Swiftboating, stop the push-polling, stop the front groups, and stop the email chain smears.

The truth matters, but how you fight the lies matters even more. We must be determined never again to lose any election to a lie.

This year, the attacks are already starting. Some of you may have heard about the disgusting lies about Barack Obama that are being circulated by email. These attacks smear Barack's Christian faith and deep patriotism, and they distort his record of more than two decades of public service. They are nothing short of "Swiftboat" style anonymous attacks.

These are the same tactics the right has used again and again, and as we've learned, these attacks, no matter how bogus, can spread and take root if they go unchecked.

But not this time -- we're fighting back.

And when I say "we," I mean that literally. I know Barack is committed to fighting every smear every time. He'll fight hard and stand up for the truth. But he can't do it alone.

We need you to email the truth to your address books. Print it out and post it at work. Talk to your neighbors. Call your local radio station. Write a letter to the editor. If lies can be spread virally, let's prove to the cynics that the truth can be every bit as persuasive as it is powerful.

The Obama campaign has created a place where you can find the truth you'll need to push back on these smears and a way to spread the truth to all of your address book.

Take action here:

http://my.barackobama.com/factcheckaction

So when your inbox fills up with trash and the emails of smear and fear, find the facts, and help defeat the lies.

Barack Obama is committed to bringing our country together to meet the challenges we face, but he knows that power gives up nothing without a struggle -- and to win the chance to change America, we must first defeat the hateful tactics that have been used to tear us apart for too long.

With your help, we can turn the page on an era of small, divisive politics -- but only if next time you hear these attacks on Barack, you take action immediately:

http://my.barackobama.com/factcheckaction

The fight is just heating up -- we won't let them steal this election with lies and distortions.

Thank you,

John Kerry

A Perversion of Democracy

The Daily Kos has an article outlining widespread voter suppression in the Democratic Caucuses in Nevada. Read the entire article here. I was so upset that I called the Nevada Obama office to find out if it was true. I was told by a Nevada staffer that he was receiving many reports from all over the state of voter suppression, intimidation and misinformation on the part of the Hillary Clinton campaign. If true, (and I have few doubts given how Hillary's campaign has been run thus far,) this is sickening and a sad day for the Democratic Party and America. These are the kind of sleazy and possibly criminal behavior that we have some to expect from the Bush and Rove. Unfortunately, The Hillary Clinton campaign seems to have learned their lessons from this kind of sleazy Rove-style campaigning. I am disgusted by this perversion of everything that America stands for. I urge everyone to contact their elected officials to investigate this matter and be on the watch for further underhanded campaigning by the Hillary Clinton Campaign.
The Obama campaign worker in Nevada whom I spoke to told me "It's not so upsetting that we lost. It's how we lost that's so upsetting."

P.S. As I am an Obama precinct captain, I must clearly state that the above writing is fully and completely my own. I have had no direction from the Obama campaign and take full responsibility for its content. My opinions expressed above do not necessarily reflect those of Senator Obama or any other member of his campaign staff.

Californians: Vote NO on Props 94,95,96, and 97

I'll admit I am not a huge fan of gambling. I find it a huge waste of personal and community resources that also contributes to some people's obsessive behaviors. That being said, I am not entirely opposed to legalized gambling. What bothers me about these 4 propositions is that they give 4 tribes in California special treatment. These tribes no not allow their workers to unionize, and while the proposition allows for revenue sharing with other tribes, many tribes oppose this deal as being more for show than substance. The San Francisco Bay Guardian had a very good editorial outlining the reasons to oppose this measure. Read the piece here.
Fellow Californians, we can do better than this. This is a hasty measure that really needs work. Vote NO on Propositions 94, 95, 96, and 97.

The San Francisco Bay Guardian also endorsed Barack Obama for President.

Kerry Endorses Obama

Senator John Kerry who narrowly lost to Bush in 2004 has announced his support for Barack Obama.

He said: "Some have suggested in this campaign that Barack is guilty of raising 'false hopes.' ... My friends, the only charge that rings false is the one that tells you not to hope for a better tomorrow."

Read the full story here.

Yes We Can !

Barack Obama still leads his rivals in delegates to the Democratic national convention. He was narrowly overtaken in New Hampshire, but the race is tight. This is very impressive considering that he is going head to head with the Clinton Political Juggernaut. Barack gave a wonderful speech after the New Hampshire primary. Here it is:





And the fight for a better America that transcends our differences and brings us together in common cause continues. Barack Obama received an important endorsement from the very powerful Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Nevada. This may not be an easy road, our cause is just and we are determined. Obama is the most inspirational leader in my lifetime. We need him to be President and he WILL win. YES WE CAN! And we will.

Obama, New Hampshire Debates, The GOP and Ron Paul

On January 5th, the leading Democrats debated in New Hampshire, two days ahead of the state's primary election. I thought Barack Obama did well, answering questions and staying on point. He is the front runner by far and just had to keep from slipping up. I think he did well. John Edwards made excellent points, naturally, as his aggressive style is well suited to the debate format. Hillary Clinton had an emotional outburst and seemed only negative. But this post is not concerning the Democratic side of the debates.
Before the Democrats debated, the leading Republicans had their debate. Most of the media picked up on the fact that the participants seemed to have it in for Mitt Romney. This was true. But what struck me the most was something that my wife and several co-workers of mine noticed - that was the level of disrespect for Ron Paul. I disagree with Ron Paul on a host of issues mainly steaming from our very fundamental differences in political philosophy. Simply put, I am a progressive liberal and he is a libertarian. But if you watch that debate, Paul makes some excellent points. This is part one of the debate - you can follow links to the next parts:




Rather than disagree with him or answer him, all the other candidates (with the notable exception of Mike Huckabee) were openly laughing at him. They treated him like a joke. He was actually making some good points and their response was to laugh. I thought this was very telling. My point of view is different from theirs. If they were to be elected, they would laugh at me too. It is disgusting. Kudos to Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee for standing up to the hateful condescending voice of the GOP political establishment machine.
But that we really need is Barack Obama as President. I disagree with Obama on some issues (such as Abortion) but I know he has written of the difficulty of these issues and has deep respect for the other side. It is someone with his character and willingness to work with others that we need in this divided and dispirited nation.

Just Back from Oakland Obama HQ

I just returned from a Obama rally/meeting in Oakland. The energy and enthusiasm again was incredible. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty and many others spoke to a crowd of over 100. Over 600 people had signed up for the event which was originally scheduled for the steps of city hall in San Francisco, but due to the severe storms (for California) the event was moved to Oakland Obama Headquarters. There was a large media presence there as well. It's amazing to be a part of the positive movement for change. Go Obama!

Obama Wins in Iowa!

My wife and I attended an Iowa caucus party in North Beach, here in San Francisco. The energy and enthusiasm was amazing. Everyone was ecstatic at Obama's large margin of victory. We were even joined by nearly 100 people including Craig Newmark of Craigslist and a state senator. Now, we are fired up and ready to win in New Hampshire!

Here is Barack Obama's victory speech:

A Message of Hope from Barack Obama

Here is a message of hope from Barack Obama using much of his 2004 Democratic Convention Speech. I have high hopes for a good showing in Iowa later today. It's time to get our country in order. I'm fired up and ready to win in Iowa!