Obama-08

The Visitors

2008-10-08T14:35:00.000-04:00

Obama from a unique vantage point.

2008-10-06T14:47:00.005-04:00

I haven't been too prolific on this blog, so I thought of something quasi-relevant that I wanted to put out there.....

Being a dyed-in-the-wool Republican, Conservative, Right-Wing (though not politically active) Robot for so much of my life has given me a unique perspective through-out this campaign. 4 years ago I voted for Bush. I admit it. I apologize profusely. I had a completely different understanding of politics then, and didn't look much past his (supposedly) pro-life stance regarding abortion. All my friends were voting for him too, and everyone likes to be validated by group-think. Anyway, I stayed up all night praying fervently that Bush would win so that he could 'rise up' and take the mantle of leadership once again, fulfilling the generational call of godliness on his family.

I'll give you a minute so you can collect yourself by either picking your jaw off the keyboard, cleaning spewed vomit off the computer screen, or wiping the tears of hysteria from your eyes.

Everyone ok now? Good, let's move on.

At some magical point in the last 4 years I came out of my right-wing stupor to risk reading Obama's book....The Audacity of Hope. I admit the chapter on financial stuff was a bore because I didn't understand a word of it, but the rest was a healing balm to my heart. I had already been playing with the devil by reading more liberal theology and listening to leaders in the Emergent Church movement, so I guess reading liberal authors was the next natural step. I even picked up Hillary's books. Now I'd really damned myself! I *do* distinctly remember some visiting folk from the UK coming to our church and expressing confusion over how American christians cling to the Republicans....over the pond the majority of christians support the Liberal candidates. That got me thinking more, and my slippery slide to the 'dark side' continued. :o)

I admit I've been pretty harsh towards the hypnotic way the conservative part of the evangelical Church follows the Republican candidates around (here's proof, and here , and here and....well, you get the idea). I try to have grace for the many, many kindhearted people who continue to vote 'pro-life' as I did for so long. Most of them don't pay an iota of attention to the news or the debates or the platforms. They just find out who is the pro-life candidate, and pull the lever/push the button. I'm sure some feel a certain amount of smugness, as I did with the more mouthy Republicans, when the other She Who Must Not Be Named lets fly a zinger in her back-assward way. But on the whole, they don't believe government is in charge anyway....it's all murky and messed up...man's feable attempt to fix himself and others. The only issue that matters is abortion, which they see as child murder. When I was in that frame of mind, it was because I'd never taken time to go any deeper into a candidate's agenda. What else could possibly be more important than stopping the murder of children?! I didn't take the time to really understand any other point of view. To do so meant risking friendships, your spiritual standing with God, and who knows what else. Too scarey, too much time investment.

I know it sounds incredibly simplistic....a stubborn and willing ignorance of the plight of other suffering Americans and peoples around the globe. But that was excused by the 'more important' issue of babies being killed. If you've never been in that circle of thought, let me tell you, it's hard to have a different opinion. Many conflicted christian friends have told me they love Obama, but cannot in 'good conscience' vote for a pro-choice candidate. The guilt is too heavy a burden. That's the power of indoctrination. It's just made more horrible because it is linked with pleasing God and staying in favor with your clan. We're all indoctrinated in something that makes it hard to understand an opposing viewpoint.......somehow, and I don't know why or how, I decided to touch the fire and try to understand the Democratic platform on legalized abortion. And it changed me completely. (See this for some perspective from a pro-life Obama supporter. Brilliant and well-articulated.)

Something else that helped me along....the Mennonite church. Yes indeed. I'm not talking about the skirted, doilie-wearing type....I'm talking the liberal, social-justice type. Very traditional in practice, but very focused on serving the world with no strings attached. Also, my fellow blogger here, Angie, gently warmed me up to the Dems thru working on Tom Henry's local mayoral election. (thank you thank you thank you!)

I honestly think if Obama hadn't decided to run for Pres, I would probably still be slogging around in my non-political worldview, though. Thankfully, his unique candidacy based on compassion and personal responsibility just 'clicked' with my new-found understanding of Jesus' gospel. The floodgates of opportunity to do good to my neighbor opened wide, and so many things began to make sense.

So now, watching the election (and primary) unfold this year, I've struggled to be gracious to people who praise mean-spiritedness while praising God. I've wrestled with accepting that not everyone will see things in my 'new perspective' and will stay on the 'one-issue voter' bandwagon. They may even go beyond that issue and actually agree with Bush's policies (I do know several really nice folks in this category). But I really want to be a true Obama supporter....and put petty judgements aside and work on rebuilding a healthy community within this vast, diverse country. Somehow I MUST learn to accept people where they are, whether they agree with me or not. I MUST learn to find that common human thread between myself and any other person I come in contact with. If I don't, I'm simply being a poor representative of Obama's vision. Just as many 'christians' are poor representatives of Jesus' vision. One of my favorite bumper stickers says "Jesus, save me from your followers". I don't want to be a distraction like that to Sen. Obama.

Afterall, it wasn't some Democrat ranting about Republicans that changed my heart and mind. It was the goodness and acceptance for all that Obama talks about that drew me. Obama, not the Democrats, inspired me to rethink my 'christian' values and how they play out in the public arena. Meeting and fostering friendships with people (Angie!) who came from a completly different perspective who consistently modelled kindness and a 'others-focused' lifestyle also gently wooed me away from conservative pragmaticism.

So while the hordes clamour around our brilliant candidate, I feel even more priviledged to be part of this movement....because I know how long and trecherous my journey to get here has been. Obama will forever represent my gigantic paradigm shift. This election cycle will always bring to mind the siesmic change in my thoughts and faith. It has been a precious gift, in a way, and regardless of the outcome when the dawn comes Nov. 5th, it's been a helluva ride.

"Obama" by Pistol Opera - The Video!

2008-10-01T20:46:00.002-04:00

Oops! I just realized that Robert beat me to the punch on this one! =)

Earlier this year, friend of the blog Eli Braden of Pistol Opera, sent me an early demo of his new song about Barack Obama. It was amazingly good, and I posted it here to share with all of you. I just received an email from Eli advising me that the band had made a cool new funny video for the track. I am honored and pleased to present that to you here and now - Ladies and Gentlemen, Pistol Opera!

Pistol Opera performing "OBAMA"

2008-09-30T17:01:00.000-04:00

Barack in the Virginia Rain

2008-09-29T21:43:00.003-04:00

I've heard several progressives express frustration that Barack hasn't attacked enough, that he hasn't enough shown anger and outrage. I submit this video for your approval:

John McCain Wants to Delay First Debate with Obama. It Seems Like a Political Ploy.

2008-09-24T16:50:00.001-04:00

This is from Handsome B. Wonderful over at The Political Junkie. In a strange twist, John McCain this afternoon has decided to try and postpone the first debate this Friday to focus on the economic crisis and return to Washington D.C.:

"At 8:30 this morning, Senator Obama called Senator McCain to ask him if he would join in issuing a joint statement outlining their shared principles and conditions for the Treasury proposal and urging Congress and the White House to act in a bipartisan manner to pass such a proposal. At 2:30 this afternoon, Senator McCain returned Senator Obama’s call and agreed to join him in issuing such a statement. The two campaigns are currently working together on the details," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said in an e-mail to reporters sent immediately after McCain spoke.

McCain's dramatic and unexpected statement seems to undercut any overtures he might have been making to bipartisanship. Instead of issuing a joint statement with Obama -- as the two campaigns apparently had discussed -- McCain chose to snag the spotlight for himself with a flamboyant display.

TPJ: I'm not sure why he's doing this except to try and gain some ground on the economic field where he has been lacking. So here's my view, we can do two things at once, a president has to be able to multi-task. The debate only takes one evening, it's not like it's a week long symposium of something. I don't think the bailout bill depends upon Obama and McCain being there on Friday. I don't think they are going to vote on anything Friday and as far as I know they haven't even set a date at all to vote. This seems like a political stunt by McCain. Country first? That's what he would have believe with this odd move. Especially since he has missed more votes than any other Senator in the current session of Congress. However, it looks more like the candidate putting himself first in a desperate attempt to shift the focus away from his terrible economic record and lack of understanding.

It's unlikely that Congress would be voting on a bailout during the few hours the candidates would be debating, and Obama previously announced plans to return to Washington Saturday morning. Congress is expected to remain in session through the weekend to pass legislation addressing the current crisis.

---End of Transmission---

Obama and McCain Tax Proposals

2008-09-20T00:11:00.003-04:00

From the Washington Post

Joe Biden in Kailspell, Montana

2008-09-09T02:35:00.000-04:00

Free Obama-Biden sticker

2008-08-23T17:53:00.003-04:00

Act now and you can get a free Obama-Biden sticker from MoveOn.org. Here's an image of the actual sticker and a link to order your free sticker today - they even pay for shipping - if you call an envelope shipping.

The choice is Joe Biden!

2008-08-23T02:29:00.002-04:00

The Huffington Post has scooped the emails and text messages thanks to an Obama insider who chose - for obvious reasons - to remain anonymous. According to the authors of the piece - Liz Sodoti and Nedra Pickler:

Barack Obama selected Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware late Friday night to be his vice presidential running mate, according to a Democratic official, balancing his ticket with an older congressional veteran well-versed in foreign policy and defense issues.
Biden, 65, has twice sought the White House, and is a Catholic with blue-collar roots, a generally liberal voting record and a reputation as a long-winded orator.

Across more than 30 years in the Senate, he has served at various times not only as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee but also as head of the Judiciary Committee, with its jurisdiction over anti-crime legislation, Supreme Court nominees and Constitutional issues.

In selecting Biden, Obama passed over several other potential running mates, none more prominent than former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, his tenacious rival in dozens of primaries and caucuses.

The official who spoke did so on condition of anonymity, preferring not to pre-empt a text-message announcement the Obama campaign promised for Saturday morning.

Obama's campaign arranged a debut for the newly minted ticket on Saturday outside the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill.

Hundreds of miles to the west, carpenters, electricians, sound stage gurus and others transformed the Pepsi Center in Denver into a made-for-television convention venue.

Tucked away in one corner were thousands of lightweight rolled cardboard tubes, ready-made handles for signs bearing the names of the Democratic ticket _ once the identity of Obama's running mate was known.

I've had a feeling for a long time that Biden would be the choice. I knew that Hillary Clinton's actions and words during the primaries precluded her from even a short list. While Tim Kaine might have helped Obama in Virginia, there were more measures in play. Evan Bayh shouldn't have even been in the running - and I know I'm speaking heresy to many other Hoosiers - because he was a poor match for the fiery oration Obama is known for. To be honest, Bayh is too damn bland. Besides, he wasn't very kind to Obama while he was on the campaign trail for Hillary.

Biden on the other hand is also a gifted orator and a bit of a bulldog who will chew McCain and his running mate to bits between now and November. That is the job of the running mate, to make the hits and leave the head of the ticket in the clear.

McCain has been tenacious in his attacks on Obama and it hasn't been until the last week or two that Obama started to fight back. The campaign needed a hitman and they got the best in Joe Biden.

My American Prayer - Dave Stewart

2008-08-22T21:44:00.001-04:00

Saddleback and forth

2008-08-16T22:44:00.001-04:00

So Barack Obama and John McCain decided to sit down with Pastor Rick Warren at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. It is certainly brave of Obama to venture into an obviously conservative evangelical setting where many of the questions are going to be directed at him from an evangelical viewpoint. That said, Obama probably knows his Scripture better than McCain. I don't see McCain as a regular church goer by any stretch of the imagination. He's a lot quicker to go for the four letter word than most politicians and his treatment of his first wife is less than moral.
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One of the first questions Warren asks Obama "Who are the three wisest people you know in your life and who are you going to rely on heavily in your administration?" After excluding Warren, he mentioned his wife and Grandmother, but I have to wonder howpeople who think of Obama as ultra liberal will react to learn that two of his choices were Indiana Republican Senator Richard Lugar and Oklahoma conservative Tom Coburn in addition to Sam Nunn and Ted Kennedy. He added, "What I've found is very helpful to me is to have a table where a lot of different points of view are represented and where I can sit and poke and prod and ask them questions...so that any blind spots I have or predispositions that I have that my assumptions are challenged."
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On the question of the definition of marriage, Obama is still playing it too safe by mentioning civil unions instead of supporting gay marriage. I suppose this is to be expected considering the fact that he has to woo many evangelicals to ensure a victory in the fall, but he is falling into the trap of politics as usual. Then again, he did get applause from the group inside the church with his definition of marriage.
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I did like that Obama attempted to show that Jesus would probably be a Democrat if he lived in the United States today when he quoted the New Testament and Jesus from the Book of Matthew in answer to a question about America's moral failings, "whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me." Not exactly where most conservatives stand. He added, "We still don’t abide by that basic precept. That basic principal applies to poverty, it applies to racism, to sexism, it applies to not providing ladders of opportunity for people to get into the middle class."
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One of the biggest differences in answers between the two men came after Warren asked for their definition of wealthy. Obama first joked and said, "You know if you’ve got book sales of 25 million …" This was an obvious reference to Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" which is purported to be the biggest selling non-fiction book in history. The audience laughed and Warren proceeded to high-five Obama over his answer. Obama then settled down and said $250,000. McCain's answer? Five Million dollars. Well, that explains why McCain thinks Obama's plan to raise taxes on people making more than $250,000 a year is taxing the "poor". I would LOVE to make $250,000 a year.
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I like the fact that Warren obviously has a grasp on pop culture. He referred to the sound-proof room where McCain stayed during Obama's portion of the forum as "the cone of silence". Any "Get Smart" fan worth their while knows all about that reference.
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During the midpoint, after McCain was introduced, Obama not only shook the Arizona Senator's hand, he also embraced him. I wonder if Dubya got jealous.
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Many of McCain's answers were clearly playing to the Conservatives in the audience. When Warren asked him what point a baby is entitled to Human Rights, McCain quickly answered, "at the moment of conception. I have a 25 year pro-life record in congress, in the senate. This presidency will have pro-life policies. That’s my commitment to you."
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This may be the fundamental - no pun intended - issue evangelicals will vote on. As odd as it may seem, most evangelicals would rather vote for a candidate who would make their lives and living conditions worse so long as they were pro-life.
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Considering the audience and the questions, I think Obama did remarkably well. Perhaps his candor moved a few evangelicals to his side. We can only hope.

Obama's Visit to Iraq

2008-07-21T22:04:00.001-04:00

Via: Huffington Post -

Obama arrives at the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday for a meeting with the prime minister and other officials

Video of the meeting
Obama with Prime Minister Maliki

Obama with General David Petraeus

Obama rides in a helicopter with Senator Hagel and General Petraeus

Obama Visits Troops in Afghanistan

2008-07-20T22:03:00.000-04:00

AP Raw Video: Obama Visits With Troops - Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama praised American troops while having breakfast with them in Kabul on Sunday. (July 20)This video contains ONLY natural sound. No script is available:

Obama's "Dignity" ad

2008-06-30T16:25:00.000-04:00

Obama Action Figure

2008-06-24T17:30:00.003-04:00

If you're interested in Obama Action Figures, check out this link.

Al Gore endorses Barack Obama

2008-06-17T11:25:00.001-04:00

And thoroughly slams the Bush-Cheney mis-administration!

Obama on Jimmy Kimmel live

2008-06-16T23:27:00.001-04:00

Statements VS Action

2008-06-16T11:29:00.000-04:00

Senator John McCain today issued a statement on the flooding in the Midwest on Saturday. Barack Obama was unavailable for comment, as he was busy doing this:

Hat Tip: Billary Redux

A couple of Obama Videos

2008-06-06T12:34:00.002-04:00

I recently put together two videos. Here they are.

Pistol Opera - "Obama"

2008-05-30T22:43:00.000-04:00

I received an email today from LA writer and musician Eli Braden along with a copy of his new song about Barack Obama. I. . LOVE. . IT! It reminds me of the Red Hot Chili Peppers!

"I have a band called Pistol Opera, and we recently recorded a catchy, upbeat original song called 'Obama' in support of Barack Obama's candidacy. It's funny, irreverent and light-hearted, but also (hopefully) a suitably inspirational tribute to this amazing candidate."

Eli asked that I use his work in connection with any effort to help Obama get elected this November. So, I am most happy to share it with you here this evening. The lyrics are posted after the clickable player below:

"OBAMA" lyrics
by Eli Braden - (c) 2008 Pistol Opera Music

Listen up, people, it's a brand new day
It's time to sweep the dim, dark past away - hear what I say!
Coming soon to the U.S.A.
The Technicolor sequel to J.F.K.

Barack Hussein Obama
No relation to Saddam or that jerk Osama
He's a man on a mission
A visionary poet slash politician

Separate the chaff from Obama the wheat
In a whitebread world, he got the meat
Makes the present state of politics obsolete
From Chicago, where fog comes on little cat feet

So haters stop running your trap talking smack
Get on the O train; stop acting wack
Like Abraham Lincoln crossed with The Mack
Once you go Barack, you never go back - Check it!

Botswana to Ghana / Nobu to Benihana
Run go tell your mama about / Obama, Obama
Iraq like Vietnam-a / Barack gonna end the drama
I think you're gonna wanna vote / Obama, Obama

Got charisma and style; smart as a whip
The child of a mixed-race relationship
Born in the 60s when everything was groovy
Heidi Klum and Seal can play his parents in the movie

Came from next-to-nothing; he's a self-made man, so DAMN
Stand up! Give the brother a hand!
He got a grand slam plan to save this land
And if he can't do it, nobody can

Honolulu to Jakarta, Boston to Chicago
Got principles like Doctor Zhivago
The polar opposite of Iago
Got more taste than foie gras from Spago

A soul brother 24/7
Think about the message to the world we'll be sending
If come this election, we stop this infection
Of fear that's been spreading / Come on now - elect him!

Taco Bell to Tijuana / Britney to Madonna
The hiphop Dalai Lama / Obama, Obama
Cornbread made of manna / A soulfood intifada
I think you're gonna wanna vote / Obama, Obama

Nice to Nicaragua / Nickleback to Nirvana
Run, go tell your mama about / Obama, Obama
Champaign to Urbana / Kutcher to Valderrama
I think you're gonna wanna vote / Obama, Obama

L.A. to Lackawanna / Avant-Garde to Dada
The hiphop Dalai Lama / Obama, Obama
Yonkers to Yokohama / Yamaha to Tama
I think you're gonna wanna vote / Obama, Obama

Drop by and visit Pistol Opera on their MySpace page!

Here's what I just don't get.

2008-05-28T10:59:00.002-04:00

Help me out here. I've been wracking my poor brain trying to figure out *what* in the world the DNC thinks it's doing by even *having* a hearing to discuss Florida and Michigan delegates.

I'm having a hard time not becoming truly cynical again about our American political scene. 'Cause folks, I just don't know any other reason this is even happening except for political posturing. If She Who Must Not Be Named was ahead, I'm thinking she wouldn't be pushing for this. And Obama wouldn't be pushing it either. The simple fact that they all agreed to the 'punishment' at the beginning seems to make no difference. Surely everyone knows it's a backasshanded way for SWMNBN to take the nomination. And God help the dems if she does.

I feel like I'm watching some stupid circus. Obama is the only one who stands to lose if they change the goal posts again....and I"m thinking that isn't going to go over well with the millions of supporters behind him. If one can only win by changing the rules, how many other rules might be changed during the Presidency? Aren't the Dems shouting all over the place how Bush has undermined our democracy by changing the rules???? So why are the DNC even humoring this woman? Why do they even play her game? Does she really hold that much sway in the Party? If I seriously hear one more complaint from her camp about the 'disrespect' she's received by the press and the Party, I'm gonna blow. She's managed to convince a bunch of suits in the inner circle to listen to her drivel......and make no mistake, it *is* drivel......simple fodder for the cable news networks. I'd say if the press were serious about disrespecting her, they'd have laughed her off the political stage for even suggesting the MI and FL delegates be seated. But they've played along.....She better stop biting the hand that's feeding her.

It all makes me sick, and perpetrates the notion that our country really doesn't have much respect for fairness. SWMNBN has helped to demonize and belittle the feminists who support her by playing the 'victim' of some supposed malicious 'cover up'. Holy criminy....if you want respect and equal treatment, then fricken be a person of your word, don't manipulate and whine, and accept defeat with grace and humility. Be a role model for decency and not rule-changing to get your way.

This woman has SO MUCH opportunity for doing good regarding women's issues. In my opinion, she's squandered that and is using her influence over her supporters to get her own way. It stinks to high heaven the same way 'pro-life' candidates play to the right. Just to get votes. It makes women look bad. Not strong, but desparate, manipulative, whiney and childish. And they have their leader to thank. She'll forever be held as the quintessential example of a SORE LOSER. What a legacy.

Is the race over?

2008-05-21T11:33:00.000-04:00

Last night Obama crossed the threshold of pledged delegates, securing for himself more than half of the delegates available through the various state and territory contests. He is certain to pick up even more with Puerto Rico coming up in 11 days followed by Montana and South Dakota two days later on June 3. Obama now has 1,931 pledged delegates compared to Hillary’s total of 1,759 and the junior senator from Illinois is now only 95 delegates short of the 2,026 needed for the nomination.

The odds are that the DNC rules committee will work out a plan to seat both Michigan and Florida at the convention and will - in all likelihood - divvy up those state’s delegates between the two candidates. Obama has also had a steady stream of previously uncommitted super delegates filling into his numbers trough. More super delegates will probably put him over the top either before or right after June 3.

The DNC already knows where this is heading, judging by the fact they are having discussions with the Obama campaign about sending Paul Tewes, a top Obama campaign aide, to the Democratic National Committee to oversee operations for the Summer and Fall campaign against Sen. John McCain. The only people holding out right now are members of Hillary’s campaign staff. However, Patti Solis Doyle - Hillary’s former campaign manager -has confirmed that she has been having informal conversations with Obama strategist, David Axelrod, about helping Obama secure a victory in November.

During her victory speech last night in Louisville, KY, Hillary Clinton once again signaled that she understands the inevitability of the outcome when she said, “while we continue to go toe-to-toe for this nomination, we do see eye-to-eye when it comes to uniting our party to elect a Democratic president this Fall.” The question is, will Hillary be able to convince her supporters of the importance of rallying around Obama and defeating John McCain? Many of the voters in Appalachia are obviously uncomfortable with the thought of having a black president. Somehow, the campaign is going to have to figure out a way to cut through the generational bias against African-Americans.

Irregardless of Appalachia, I believe Obama could end up having an easy time defeating John McCain in the general election. Contrary to the Clinton campaign’s continuing argument about Hillary winning New York, California,and other big states, Obama is certain to carry those Democratic strongholds in the Fall.

Once the Fall election cycle is in full swing, the DNC and the Obama campaign will start pounding away at John McCain over the economy, the war in Iraq and McCain’s lobbyist-heavy campaign staff. Four of McCain’s staffers had to resign after it was revealed they were actually agents of foreign governments.

Some examples of McCain’s lobbyist buddies. Hiss biggest fund raiser, Tom Loeffler, is a lobbyist for EADS North America, which includes Saudi Arabia among its clients. McCain’s top foreign policy adviser is Randy Scheunemann, founder of Orion Strategies. Orion has represented countries as diverse as Macedonia, Georgia and Taiwan. Peter Madigan is a lobbysist for Griffin, Johnson, Dover & Stewart. He actually represented the United Arab Emirates over their enslavement of underage boys they forced to be as camel jockeys in races.

Charlie Black who still remains on McCain’s staff as his spokesman and senior counsel, who was a lobbyist for BKSH & Associates once represented human rights abusers like the Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, Zaire dictator Mobuto Sese Seko, Somalia’s Mohamed Siad Barre and Nigeria’s Ibrahim Babangida. In addition, he also represented CNOOC, the Chinese government’s oil industry.

Although all of this information is easy to find, the majority of the public won’t learn about it until the campaign is in full swing. Obama’s policy of refusing PAC and lobbyist money should make it easy for him to attack McCain who seems to be violating some of his own campaign ethics. It should be an interesting Fall.

Obama takes on Bush-McCain in Montana

2008-05-19T21:06:00.002-04:00

This is not your father's Democratic nominee:

Barack continues to demonstrate that he will punch back hard and attack the status quo at every turn!

Top 10 Reasons Obama Defeated Clinton for the Democratic Nomination

2008-05-18T11:53:00.002-04:00

By Robert Creamer for the Huffington Post:

Now that the outcome of the battle for the Democratic nomination has been settled beyond a reasonable doubt, it's worth looking systematically at the major factors that gave victory to Obama. After all, fifteen months ago, conventional wisdom viewed Obama as an audacious long shot. The very idea of a first-term African American senator with a name like Barack Obama defeating the vaunted Clinton machine seemed preposterous.
Here are my Top Ten reasons why lightning struck in the contest for the 2008 Democratic nomination (apologies to David Letterman):
#10. Great Team. Obama assembled a great team that could work together. He stayed away from lobbyist insiders like Clinton's Mark Penn or McCain's Charlie Black, and choose political professionals who are committed to progressive values like David Plouffe, David Axelrod, Steve Hildebrand and Paul Tewes. From the first he insisted on one key rule: no drama. There was little of the infighting and division in the Obama operation that ate away at the Clinton campaign. Clinton had many capable staffers and consultants, but Penn's divisive leadership style and failures as a strategist doomed the campaign organization to dysfunction. When the brilliant Geoff Garin was tapped to succeed Penn as Chief Strategist in April, it was simply too late.
#9. All-State Strategy. Mark Penn was convinced that Clinton could sew up the nomination by Super Tuesday focusing only on the big states. In fact, some have reported that he mistakenly believed that California had a "winner take all" primary. Obama's team hunted for delegates in every nook and cranny of America -- especially in the caucus states that Clinton really didn't contest. Obama ran an active, on-the-ground campaign in every contest, from California to Guam. As a consequence, as one anonymous Clinton insider reports, Clinton lost the nomination in February after Obama ran the table in 11 straight states.
#8. No Plan B. The Clinton campaign had no fall-back plan when it failed to capture the nomination on February 5. There was no money, no organization and no plan to contest the states that lie in the land beyond Super Tuesday.
#7. Excellence in Execution: Great Field. Obama ran the best field operation in American political history -- particularly in the all important Iowa Caucuses. His campaign left no stone unturned, or a vote on the table, in any state. It opened offices everywhere, hired and trained great staff, and managed through simple, streamlined structures. It would have been easy for Obama to squander the massive influx of volunteers who were mobilized through his inspirational message. But the campaign developed structures to integrate and effectively use volunteers, both on the ground and through the Internet. In particular, it developed highly sophisticated new Internet tools to allow volunteers around the country to participate meaningfully in voter ID and get out the vote operations.
#6. Explosive Obama Fundraising. Obama's ability to compete everywhere, to build great field structures and to out-communicate Clinton in the paid media rested squarely on the massive fundraising operation. Obama's traditional fundraising program ended up matching the vaunted Clinton fundraising machine. But the newly developed Internet operation provided a massive advantage. So far Obama has recruited over one-and-a-half-million donors. In other words, by the time the primary season ends, almost one of every ten Obama primary voters (so far there have been 16.3 million) will have made a financial contribution to his campaign. That is beyond unprecedented.
#5. Obama Out-Communicated Clinton Using One Consistent Message. Obama's message has been consistent from Day One. Clinton lurched from "experienced insider" to "populist outsider" from Margaret Thatcher-like "Iron Lady" to a "victim being bullied." And of course, Obama's huge small-donor-driven fundraising advantage gave him the ability to out-communicate her in the paid media -- often by a factor of two-to-one.
#4. Hope and Inspiration trumped Fear and Anger. A core element of that Obama message has always been hope and inspiration. Early on, John Edwards hit an important cord of populist anger that is critical to any successful Democratic campaign. Right now especially, people want their leaders to be populist outsiders not "competent" insiders. But Edwards was unable to resolve that anger into hope. Obama touched the anger but also held out possibility. When Hillary "found her voice" as the fighting populist at the end of the campaign, she tapped into anger as well. She didn't hesitate to play the fear card -- both when it came to foreign policy, and by channeling the Republican frame that "elitist professional types" are trying to destroy your way of life. But she never managed to inspire and resolve that fear into hope.
Inspiration is the one political message that simultaneously persuades swing voters and motivates mobilizable voters who rarely come to the polls. The North Carolina landslide provided a striking example of how inspiration can generate massive mobilization at the same time it appeals to independent swing voters.
#3. Unity Trumped Division. Obama showed that appeals to division -- whether from elements that stirred up fear that a "black candidate couldn't win" -- or from his former pastor -- could be overcome by America's overwhelming hunger for unity. Americans -- and particularly young Americans -- are sick of Republican appeals based on the things that divide us, particularly race. It isn't 1988 anymore. A whole generation has passed from the scene and been replaced by young people who simply don't get the passions that allowed the fear of "Willie Horton" to decide the 1988 presidential race.
#2. Change Trumped Experience. Clinton Chief Strategist Mark Penn's fundamental strategic error was to position Clinton as the "Experience" candidate, when America desperately wanted change. Eighty percent of the voters think America is on the wrong track. They want change in general -- and most importantly, they want change in the way special interests dominate Washington. Mark Penn, the consummate lobbyist-insider himself embodied the very thing people believe is wrong in Washington. It's no wonder he made this catastrophic strategic blunder.
#1. Obama is an Extraordinary Candidate. Inspirational, articulate, brilliant, funny, attractive and naturally empathetic -- his history as a community organizer, his experience abroad, his beautiful family, accomplished wife, and adorable kids: Obama is the kind of candidate any campaign manager would want in any year. But he is perfect for this year. While the Clintons represented the Bridge to the 21st Century, Obama is the 21st century. His own, multi-cultural story is the future of America. As the campaign tested him, he showed he was cool, deliberate and effective under fire.
In the end, people vote for people. Campaigns are ultimately about the qualities of candidates --about whether or not people want them to be their leaders. Potentially, Barack Obama could become an historic, transformational leader. But John McCain has many qualities that are attractive to swing voters as well. Nothing is preordained. Now it will be up to every Democrat, every Progressive, to take advantage of this historic opportunity to make Barack Obama the American President who leads the world into a new progressive era of unprecedented possibility.