Hillary’s Voice

Clinton wields powerful e-mail list (Politico)
The survival of Clinton’s online operation highlights her induction into a small but growing new club of presidential losers[*] who have used the Internet to maintain some of their national profile and power. The defeated candidates use e-mail, websites and social networks to maintain contact with their supporters through legacy online campaigns that keep their coffers full, their bases intact and their political futures viable. “This is a medium that allows candidates — whether they’re successful or not — to maintain direct contact with their supporters,” said Daou, who said Clinton’s e-mail list is in the “seven figures,” though he wouldn’t give a more specific number.
*She didn’t lose.  She was shoved aside.  I wish she would use her email list more, and use it on issues.

The Honeymoon is Over (by riverdaughter at The Confluence)

[A]ll those personality quirks and shortcomings that we glossed over during the orgasms of infatuation are now clearly in evidence now that the afterglow is wearing off.  It looks like he is the “turns over and goes to sleep kind” who probably wouldn’t retrun calls if he were single.  But now that the Democratic party has married him, they are in a bit of a bind.  He swept them off their feet and it is going to feel really awkward to want to divorce him… What about an annulment?  Yeah, maybe we could scotch the whole deal in Denver.  No hard feelings, Barack, but we were both drunk in Vegas and we should just go our own ways.  Heidi Li has been gazing at the legal tea leaves and it looks like Obama is trying to force Clinton into some kind of prenup where she agrees to give up all possibility of nominating speeches and roll call votes in Denver in exchange for help paying off her campaign debts.  We can’t let this happen, guys.
Click through for information on what you can do to stop them from erasing Hillary from the history books.  Also, campskunk has more actions you can take at Alegre’s Corner.

1 in 18 million (by Pagan Power at No Quarter)
Would you like to make a difference? Are you willing to put a face to your name? Are you ready to take a stand? The Just Say No Deal Coalition is putting together a commercial and they need fresh faces. Friendly faces. All they are asking from you is that you use your first name and give your city and state. They also ask that you provide a high quality photograph that focuses upon you. Personal or professional. Your confidentiality is assured. So please send your submissions to: faceme-at-justsaynodeal.com.

Obama Faces Resistance From Top Supporters of Clinton (Wall Street Journal)
Some leading Clinton supporters are starting new Web sites or political action committees aimed at prodding Sen. Obama on issues or pressuring him to give Sen. Clinton a big role in the general-election campaign. People familiar with the matter say the effort involves dozens of the roughly 300 Clinton “Hillraisers,” individuals who raised at least $100,000 apiece for her campaign. The Clinton holdouts are typically most angry about what they say was the media’s sexist treatment of Sen. Clinton during the campaign. And though few, if any, blame Sen. Obama directly, they fault the Illinois senator and other party leaders for what they say was failing to do enough to stop it.
Wrong, Wall Street Journal.  We do blame Obama directly.  He was one of the perpetrators.

Clinton’s Convention Role Negotiated (Political Wire)
Sen. Hillary Clinton “won a hefty 1,600 convention delegates in six months of primaries. A big question now is whether to let them vote at the Democratic convention,” according to the Wall Street Journal. “High on the list of matters that Sen. Clinton and likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama are negotiating as her campaign closes down is whether and how her name is put into nomination at the August convention in Denver.”

Spikin’ it in the End Zone (by riverdaughter at The Confluence)
In spite of, or perhaps, *because* of, the sussurations of discontent rippling through the political sphere over Obama’s recent turn to the right (we told you so, sorry, couldn’t resist), Howard Dean, et al has decided to take what ever money is left from what the DNC doesn’t have and bet it all on an extravaganza at Invesco Field in Denver…

The plan is to fill the seats with thousands and thousands of Coloradans who have nothing better to do to than to celebrate a staged recreation/renewal of Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream Speech” on its 45th anniversary (I’m sure it’s just a coincidence) with a new and improved speech by the Dauphin of Democracy, Barack Obama on the day of his coronation.  His speech has already been hailed by historians as the most-awesomist-uplifting-inspiring rhetoric of the century for people of all races, ethnicities and religious affiliations, regardless of trust fund (offer does not apply to Muslims, women, working class individuals who can’t tell a San Giovese from a Super Tuscan, persons over the age of 50, or sino-peruvian lesbians)…

At the end of the speech, Obama will run into the end zone where he will stand patiently waiting for Howard Dean to lob the phallus, er, football from the 10 yard line.  Obama will spike and do the funky chicken, take a victory lap, pour Gatorade on John Kerry’s head, accept the nomination and become the Patriot we know him to be.

Obamapalooza to be held at INVESCO Field. Seems fitting. (by NewHampster at Alegre’s Corner)
Invesco is a multi-national, multi-company, investment management company that has portfolios in the nuclear industry, index trading of oil futures, a commodities branch, a wealth management division and your typical list of targeted mutual funds.  They also invest in wind and some other clean energy solutions. All around corporate schmucks just like the Obama followers love… Notice I included the fact that they do have many investments in clean energy.  I’m trying to be fair here.

Data Update: Presidential and Congressional Fundraising (Capital Eye)
Barack Obama and John McCain’s top contributing industries look awfully similar. Obama’s most generous industries are lawyers/law firms, retirees and securities and investment companies, in that order. For McCain, it’s retirees, law firms and securities and investment companies. But Obama has collected more from each of those industries, according to our updated industry information, raising triple McCain’s funds from lawyers/law firms. But McCain is gaining on Obama in money from retirees—$15.1 million compared to $15.9 million for Obama.

Sending a message with Invesco field (by lambert at Corrente)
I guess I should applaud the 50 — well, 48 state — strategy, and that Democrats are competitive now in many more states than they used to be. I just didn’t think that the sacrificial victims of the process would be the Democrats who held it together through darker times. Or that the way the Democrats would become competitive was by making 2006 the high-water mark for progressivism, and by giving much, much more power to the Blue Dogs in 2008 and onward, which is — if only I’d bee[n] smart enough to call my shot — is the inevitable outcome of the 50-state strategy.

The party of Pelosi, Reid, Daschle, and Obama (by lambert at Corrente)
The party of Pelosi, Reid, Daschle, and Obama…. That’s a good way to look at the Dem leadership that greased the skids for Obama, I think… And that really would make 2006 a progressive high-water mark, eh? Remember all the, er, hope for, er, change we had back then? Oh well, that hope died, even as far back as 2007. And caving to the telcos and gutting the Fourth Amendment is a common factor here, between Obama, Reid, and Pelosi (and Daschle, too, I’m guessing, since he, like Reid and Pelosi, was also a member of the Gang of Eight). The other common factor being sternly worded letters, of course. Looking at the Dem leadership that way, I am confident that they’re 2% less evil than the Republicans.

Why Flip Flop At All? (by Big Tent Democrat at TalkLeft)
Sure, the flip flop attack probably won’t cost Obama the election. But why not ask yourself this, why feed the line of attack in the first place? Maybe Obama is not really hurt by the flip flopper line, but please tell me how exactly it helps? To me, the “it probably won’t hurt him” line of defense misses the point. Explain to me instead, how the flip flops HELP Obama?

Obama’s “Dogwhistle” (by Big Tent Democrat at TalkLeft)
Writing for the WaPo Ed Board, [Fred] Hiatt states: “BARACK OBAMA has taken a small but important step toward adjusting his outdated position on Iraq to the military and strategic realities of the war he may inherit…” Maybe this is what Obama intends - a wink towards the Hiatts of the world on Iraq.

The Truth Shall Drive You Mad: The Wise Men and Women of the Empire of Death (by Arthur Silber at the Power of Narrative)
In “Obama’s War Room,” Elizabeth Schulte speaks of the “terrible disappointment” that will be experienced by “millions of people, in the U.S. and around the world, who hope that Obama represents a new direction after eight miserable years of George W. Bush and his fellow warmongers.”… I have written about Obama’s National Security Working Group before; my title tells you my own assessment: “‘Change’ to Induce Vomiting So Extreme It Might Just Kill You.”… And some people call it “change.” I call it unadulterated bullshit and nauseating lies — and I also call it criminal war, unforgivable murder, and the promise of only further devastation, chaos and suffering.

Tuesday: Phoning it in (by garychapelhill at The Confluence)
Barack Obama was supposed to attend a fund raiser in Charlotte last night, but due to “mechanical problems” his plane was diverted to St. Louis.  Obama didn’t decide to reschedule, appear late, or cancel the event (and give up the money?  Never!).  So in typical Obama fashion he phoned it in… From Obama’s “phone speech”: “Finally I want to make sure that I acknowledge Lieutenant Governor Bedford who was going to be the next Governor of North Carolina. She is running an outstanding race and I think she’s going to have a chance to address all of you before this thing is over.” Yeah, just one small problem with that.  Her name is not Bedford.  It is Beverly Perdue.  And she “was” going to be the next governor?  Oh, she “was” going to be the next governor until you became the presumptuous nominee!

Why Dems Lose, Part . . . (by Big Tent Democrat at TalkLeft)
Clark sidelined: “‘On a scale of 1 to 10, Clark’s words were a 10 in terms of unhelpfulness,’ said one Democrat who has helped manage past presidential campaigns.” Bob Shrum? Bob Beckel? Donna Brazile? What a bunch of losers. Cowering and flinching is what Dems are known for. Looks like that ain’t changing.

Face The Nation: McCain Media Bias, Example #759 (by SilentPatriot at Crooks and Liars)
While making the case [Sunday] on “Face the Nation” about how John McCain has changed his position on far more issues than Barack Obama, John Kerry was accused by Bob Scheiffer of “challenging John McCain’s integrity.” You see, when Republicans relentlessly attack a Democrat’s military service record and position on the issues, it’s acceptable, even promoted by the librul media. When a Democrat does the same thing, they are guilty of disrespecting the entire military and questioning a hero’s integrity. There in a nutshell is the M.O. of McCain’s Media™.
Click through to read the transcript and watch the video.

WEBB DOESN’T WANT TO BE VP (First Read, MSNBC)
Virginia Sen. Jim Webb [on Monday] issued a statement from his Senate office saying that — “[u]nder no circumstances” — does he want to be considered as Obama’s veep. “Last week I communicated to Sen. Obama and his presidential campaign my firm intention to remain in the United States Senate, where I believe I am best equipped to serve the people of Virginia and this country. Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for vice president.”

Retired Senior Military Officers Call For End To DADT: Gays Serving Openly Pose No ‘Risk’ (Think Progress)

A new report released today by four retired senior military officers endorses a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). The study, sponsored by the Palm Center in California, marks “the first time a Marine Corps general has ever called publicly for an end to the gay ban.”
Click through for highlights of the findings. The fact that gays are not now allowed to serve openly, and have not been since President Clinton tried to change the rules in 1993, is greatly due to the machinations of former Senator Sam Nunn, who is now a high-level advisor to Barack Obama.

Obama to focus on reforming bankruptcy laws (On Politics, USA Today)
In Powder Springs, Ga., today, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will propose “changing bankruptcy laws to ‘fast-track’ the process for military families, help seniors keep their homes, and protect people recovering from natural disasters,” the Associated Press writes.

Jonah Goldberg compares Obama’s national service plan to slavery. (Think Progress)
Today in a LA Times op-ed, conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg compared Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-IL) plan to encourage volunteerism among students to a form of slavery, suggesting in the first sentence that “the black presidential candidate” might be violating the 13th Amendment: “…For those who don’t remember, the 13th Amendment says: ‘Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime … shall exist within the United States…’” Goldberg was angered by Obama’s pledge to “set a goal for all American middle and high school students to perform 50 hours of service a year, and for all college students to perform 100 hours of service a year.” Though Goldberg eventually admitted that “national service isn’t slavery,” he insisted that it “contributes to a slave mentality, at odds with American tradition.”

Poll: Pet owners prefer McCain over Obama
From George Washington’s foxhound “Drunkard” to George W. Bush’s terriers “Barney” and “Miss Beazley,” pets are a longtime presidential tradition for which John McCain seems well prepared, with more than a dozen of his own. According to an AP-Yahoo! News poll, voters with pets favor McCain over the currently pet-less Barack Obama 42 percent to 37 percent.

McCain campaign: ‘Victory in Iraq’ will pay off the deficit. (Think Progress)
In a paper released [Monday], Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) made the laughable claim that a McCain administration would pay off the enormous deficit through “savings from victory in the Iraq and Afghanistan operations.” The claim comes on the same day McCain’s campaign vowed to balance the budget in four years — while refusing to name any specifics on how to go about achieving that goal.

John McCain: The Budget Policy of an Underpants Gnome! (by Brad DeLong)
Cr–! Robert Pear of the New York Times called, looking for a soundbite on McCain’s budget policy. I blathered on, while the perfect soundbite was waiting in my email inbox, unread. It was: Underpants Gnomes. You all remember the plan of the Underpants Gnomes from South Park:

1.       Collect underpants.
2.       ?
3.       Profit!

That’s the perfect analogy for John McCain’s budget policy:

1.  Cut taxes and spend more on the military.
2.       ?
3.       Balanced budget!!

Memo to self: read email from persons known to be witty before talking to reporters, not after…

McCain on Rights of the Disabled (by TChris at TalkLeft)
This is all you need to know about John McCain’s stance on disability rights: “A wheel-chair bound woman asked McCain about the Community Choice Act, a piece of legislation for disabled Americans that would give individuals greater freedom on where to live. ‘What that would do is it would end the institutional bias,’ the questioner said, then asked him if he would consider supporting it. ‘I will not,’ McCain responded, ‘because I don’t think it’s the right kind of legislation.’ A trio of people in wheelchairs left the room shortly after his response.
Gosh, that sounds a lot like Obama when he was trying to weasel out of filibustering Samuel Alito, calling it a “procedural maneuver”.  You’re damn right, Senator Obama.  It was the only means available at that time to fight right-wing appointments.  And the Democrats were too craven to use it.

Librarian with ‘McCain=Bush’ sign charged with trespassing at public campaign event. (Think Progress)
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was in Denver, CO, [Monday] for a town hall meeting. The event, at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, was billed as “open to the public.” Yet Carol Kreck, a 61-year-old librarian carrying a “McCain=Bush” sign, was taken away by police for trespassing.

Lots more really good stuff at MakeThemAccountable.com.

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com