Tennessee Guerilla Women

In Rigidly Male-Dominated Societies Like the U.S.

2008-07-26T21:01:00.002-05:00

Obama girls, this one's for you.

Quote of the Day

"[I]n the United States, many people who consider themselves progressives still view anything to do with women as secondary.

They fail to recognize what regressives do: that the ranking of male over female is a basic model children learn early on for equating difference with superiority or inferiority, with dominating or being dominated -- a model that can then easily be generalized to different races, religions, ethnicities, and nations."

-- Riane Eisler, Rigidly Male-Dominated Societies
Are Violent; The U.S. Is No Different

"Obama One" Photo of the Day

2008-07-26T14:44:00.004-05:00

Reuters Photo of "Obama One" - Obama's Boeing 757 . . .

via Spiegel International: The Barack Show:

The plane, recently dubbed "Obama One," wears "Change We Can Believe In" livery.

Barack Obama Brand World Tour Politics Campaign News Berlin Germany

Obama Camp Considers Republican - Former Bush Cabinet Member - for VP

2008-07-26T11:41:00.008-05:00

This is what PINOs (progressives in name only) have been fighting for:

Politico: Barack Obama's vice presidential search team has floated the name of a member of President Bush's first-term Cabinet, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, as Obama's running mate.

Gee, if this Republican doesn't work out, maybe Obama can find a VP over at Pat Robertson's law school.

Buck Naked Politics: Veepstakes: Obama Campaign 'Floats' the Name of Ann Veneman [Sound of Bitter Laughter]

What's Your Breaking Point?

Progressive Choices:
Ralph Nader
Cynthia McKinney

PINA Barack Obama New Politics Democratic Party News

Howard Dean Insults Disaffected Democratic Voters in Charlotte, NC

2008-07-26T11:36:00.001-05:00

Howard Dean's Southern bus tour ran into protesting PUMAs and other alienated Democratic voters in Charlotte, North Carolina this week. Dean's bus tour purportedly aims to register Democratic voters.

That mission did not stop Howard Dean from insulting the 2 dozen disaffected Democrats who showed up to publicize the wide-spread desire to have Hillary's name placed in nomination at the Denver Convention.

The top three insults hurled by Obamanians at Hillary supporters throughout the primary were 1) You're racist; 2) You're a Republican; 3) You're low class, or ignorant white trailer trash.

Howard Dean managed to denigrate the disaffected Democratic voters in Charlotte, North Carolina with two out of the three insults.

Speaking to reporters later on his bus, he dismissed the protesters. “I'm not sure all of them are Clinton supporters,” he said. “Some of them are having fun at the Democrats' expense. I think shouting through somebody's speech is low-class.”

Hat tip & thanks to TGW commenter palhart who was one of the demonstrators!
Photos & Story at: Charlotte Front and Center
Not Your Sweetie: PUMAS pounce on Dean in NC!
Confluence: Obama’s Thesis and Charlotte PUMAs

Hillary Clinton Gender News Feminist Politics Barack Obama Howard Dean Charlotte North Carolina

Obama Buttons For Sale on the Streets of Berlin

2008-07-25T12:16:00.001-05:00

From The Guardian: Look what you can buy on the streets of Berlin this evening. . That's right, it's a badge showing the three most popular things in Germany: Barack Obama, beer, and lederhosen.

Also of interest from across the pond - He ventured forth to bring light to the world:

In the great Battles of Caucus and Primary he smote the conniving Hillary, wife of the deposed King Bill the Priapic and their barbarian hordes of Working Class Whites. As word spread throughout the land about the Child's wondrous works, peoples from all over flocked to hear him; Hittites and Abbasids; Obamacons and McCainiacs; Cameroonians and Blairites. . . And they told of strange and wondrous things that greeted the news of the Child's journey. Around the world, global temperatures began to decline, and the ocean levels fell and the great warming was over.

Oh, and I finally figured out why we heard those "Yes, We Can" chanters in Berlin. Barack Obama brought 700 aides to Berlin!! Seven hundred!!

Barack Obama World Tour Politics Campaign News Berlin Germany Campaign Speech Hillary Clinton

Fickle Media: Obama Campaign 'Acting Like the Prom Queen'

2008-07-25T11:18:00.002-05:00

The New Republic, the so-called liberal press that spent the primary cheering Obama and portraying Hillary Rodham Clinton as psycho, says the media may be falling out of love with Obama. Of course we know that the media is no one's friend and falls in and out of love whenever it is profitable to do so.

The piece excerpted below makes some serious charges as well as some ludicrous ones. Ludicrous ones like: Hillary Clinton's campaign people were hostile to the press "for no reason." Yeah, no reasons whatsoever!

So now, the poor press is complaining that the Obama campaign is mean to them. Unbelievable. Can the honeymoon really be ending so soon?

End of the Affair by Gabriel Sherman:

Reporters are grumbling more and more that the campaign is acting like the Prom Queen. They gripe that it is "arrogant" and "control[ling]," and the campaign's own belief that Obama is poised to make history isn't endearing, either. The press certainly helped Obama get so far so fast; the question is, how far can he get if his campaign alienates them?

. . But, as Obama ascended from underdog to front-runner to presumptive nominee, the flame seems to have dwindled. Reporters who cover Obama these days grouse that Obama's flacks shroud the campaign in secrecy and provide little to no access. "They're more disciplined than the Bush people," a reporter on the Obama trail gripes. "There was this idea of being transparent, but they're not. They're total tightwads with information."

"They're an arrogant operation. Young and arrogant," one reporter covering the campaign says. "They don't believe in transparency with their own campaign," another says.

Reporters who have covered Obama's biography or his problems with certain voter blocs have been challenged the most aggressively. "They're terrified of people poking around Obama's life," one reporter says. "The whole Obama narrative is built around this narrative that Obama and David Axelrod built, and, like all stories, it's not entirely true. So they have to be protective of the crown jewels." Another reporter notes that, during the last year, Obama's old friends and Harvard classmates were requested not to talk to the press without permission.

Barack Obama Media Bias Politics Liberal News

Spinsters Unite!

2008-07-25T08:54:00.001-05:00

From the bad old days when single women were stigmatized as 'old maids' and every little girl was warned that she might grow up to be one (so make the boys like you or else!!) to the modern day reality of single women happily choosing spinsterhood . . .

Thank the Goddess some things have changed!

"There are more single women in their 30s today (by choice) than at any other time in history."

Seeking Happily Ever After Trailer

Gender News Marriage Feminist Politics Patriarchy Seeking Happily Ever After Trailer

'Yes, We Can' Chanters Are in Berlin Too

2008-07-24T13:10:00.005-05:00

Well, Obama is dominating the cable news airwaves with his masterfully stagecrafted "I am the new JFK/Reagan" campaign speech in Berlin. The Germans are calling it the Obama Show and for good reason. This has got to be the biggest and most extravagant campaign event in the history of this country. And it's not even in this country.

As is his habit, Barack Obama is once again promising that this, or he is a great moment in the history of humanity. But that's why they call him the Precious. Yes, he is!

Wonder if they will be fainting in Berlin today?

"He is a very charming and determined man, who has a vision for America and the whole world," said Berlin's mayor. Apparently, the Obama campaign sent along several planes full of props. You can hear them chanting in the Berlin crowd: Yes, We Can! Yes, We Can! Seriously. You can hear them right now on CNN.

And in related news of the day, "former NASA astronaut and moon-walker Dr Edgar Mitchell - a veteran of the Apollo 14 mission" - says aliens do exist and have visited earth several times. And I think you can recognize them by the words they chant.

Yes, we can! Yes, we can!

A Gentle Reminder: Obama is Not God
German Paper: The audacious speech took the White House race out of US borders in a way never seen before . . Obama's speech was a clear echo of former US president Ronald Reagan's call to then Soviet leader Mikhael Gorbachev in Berlin in 1987 to "tear down this wall," before the fall of communism.
Obama Team Begins Work On Presidential Transition [via]

Barack Obama Media News Politics MSNBC Berlin Campaign Speech

Kim Gandy: It Bodes Ill for the Progress We've Made

2008-07-24T06:01:00.004-05:00

Quote of the Day

She was called a bitch, a witch, shrill, cackle, cleavage - all words that come to mind - and, what was it, thick ankles? . . The fact that that kind of sexism was so commonplace and so little remarked upon bodes ill for the progress that we've made as a society. . . I didn't expect it. I didn't. I expected a little bit. I expected some. But I didn't expect this level of venom directed at her from people in the mainstream media. I expect it from the fringe Fox News types, sure. But from NPR, from CNN, from NBC and MSNBC, no, I didn't.

. . He needs to ask for [women's] support the same way Senator Clinton did. She did not take the women's vote for granted. She sought it. It was the first time in a long time that we've been talked to by a candidate who wasn't talking down to us.

-- Kim Gandy, President of NOW

Feminist Trailblazer Hillary Clinton Gender News Kim Gandy Feminist Politics Patriarchy Barack Obama New Politics Misogyny NOW

Legislator Aims to End Use of Generic 'He'

2008-07-24T05:29:00.005-05:00

Who else but a female legislator would care about such things? Just imagine the transformative changes that might occur if women weren't such a tiny fraction of the lawmakers in this nation.

“We make up 52 percent of the population in this state, but in the laws we’re invisible,” Rep. Cory Atkins (D-Concord) said. “I filed this to make sure women will no longer be invisible in Massachusetts law.” Her bill would ensure laws written from now on contain gender neutral phrases such as “he/she” and “his/her,” instead of the general use of “he.”

“I think it’s (expletive),” said Rep. Robert Hargraves (R-Groton) of the law. “Everybody knows the word ‘he’ is generic. It’s generic in the Bible. It’s generic in the Constitution. There’s no intent to demean the fairer sex.”

. . . While women might make up 52 percent of the state, they make up less than 25 percent of the Massachusetts Legislature, with only 39 women serving as representatives and 12 as senators. Despite some objections, Atkins expects the bill to sail through the House and be embraced by Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth). “I think she will intuitively understand the issue,” Atkins said.

Feminist News Sexist Language Equality Politics Gender New Politics Massachusetts

Obama Buys $5 Million in Olympic Ads from NBC

2008-07-24T05:02:00.001-05:00

Barack Obama's campaign will be one of the sponsors of NBC's Olympics coverage, to the tune of $5 million:

McDonalds, Anheuser-Busch, Barack Obama. What do these things have in common? They’ll all be advertising during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Advertising Age reported Wednesday that Obama’s presidential campaign made a $5 million ad buy during Olympic coverage, which begins with opening ceremonies Aug. 8. . The site called it the “first significant network-TV buy of any presidential candidate in at least 16 years.”

Barack Obama Media News Politics MSNBC

Gender Equality Top Priority - In Spain (Video)

2008-07-24T00:10:00.002-05:00

"One thing that really awakens my rebellious streak is 20 centuries of one sex dominating the other. We talk of slavery, feudalism, exploitation -- but the most unjust domination is that of one-half of the human race over the other."

-- Prime Minister Zapatero

While we wait for someone to give a speech on gender equality here in the U.S., the self-identified feminist Prime Minister of Spain has appointed a female majority cabinet, along with the first Minister of Equality, and he vows to make equal pay a reality for the women of Spain within the next four years. Oh, and gay marriage is legal and the law requires political parties to practice gender parity.

The Spainish government runs public service ads informing men that they really need to do their share of housework. And ads on TV, Radio, Press, Billboards and internet sites are aimed at ending domestic violence. The Minister of Equality is working on helping men adapt to a "new model of masculinity," and she is working on the problem of the sexist language.

A forthcoming new Equality Law, to be ready by 2009, was announced during Equality Week. According to Deputy Prime Minister, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, the new law will "make equal treatment between the sexes effective, and eliminate all discrimination against women."

Eliminating "all discrimination against women" sounds like a tall order, but hey this is America. At least somebody is trying -- in Spain.

Prime Minister Zapatero Speaking of Gender Equality

There is no idea . . that changes things more in life . . than that of living in a country where not even one woman is marginalized, discriminated, dominated and abandoned by society.

-- Prime Minister Zapatero

Photo: Prime Minister, & self-identified feminist, Zapatero and 9 members of his 17 member cabinet. / TGW: While Misogyny Rules in America, Gender Equality is a Top Priority in Spain

Feminist Zapatero Gender News Equality Politics Spain New Politics

The Recurring Theme of Sexism, Misogyny and Stereotyping

2008-07-24T00:05:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

“We always tell our daughters you can do anything—but I think the sharp reality was portrayed in Hillary’s race. . . I think she lifted up the self esteem of women across the country, across the world. . [S]he helped all of us. I think she’d be an incredibly important pick for vice president.”

-- Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D.-N.Y.)

Rep. Maloney's remarks were made at a Lifetime Television-sponsored event on the topic of politics and feminism. The "sexism, misogyny and stereotyping” used against Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign was the recurring theme at the event, along with the question of when a woman might finally get elected president in this cowboy country.

Apparently, women can't stop talking about it.

Feminist Trailblazer Hillary Clinton Gender News Feminist Politics Patriarchy Barack Obama New Politics Misogyny

NOW-NYS: What Women Want from Obama

2008-07-23T16:02:00.007-05:00

Okay, I am a serious fan of Marcia Pappas, president of New York State NOW. Pasted below is her latest press release. Did she forget anything?

ALBANY, NY (07/22/2008; 2018)-- Obama must do more to gain women's vote than to simply tell us that he is the least of two evils. He must come bearing gifts! We are not talking about candy and flowers here. NOW-New York State is proposing a list of gifts he must bring:

1) Four or five Supreme Court Justices should be pro-choice women and all appointments to all courts should be pro-choice.

2) Howard Dean (the mute DNC Chair) must be replaced with a woman, who will not sit back quietly while sexist attacks are levied against women candidates.

3) Super delegates must reflect gender equality. Closely contested elections should not be decided by a predominantly male body of super delegates, composed of mostly elected officials who are overwhelmingly male

4) Changes must be made in the Democratic Primary system.

a) Caucuses are not democratic. Attendance is low and many voters, particularly women (who may be busy with children), cannot devote two evening hours to attending a caucus. When caucuses were originally set up, politics was a predominantly male game. We should be making voting easier and more accessible, not continuing with arcane, restrictive and sexist traditions.

b) Caucuses have open voting where the women are often intimidated by the men. In a secret ballot women can vote their conscience. We still live in a sexist society; and people should not be intimidated by public votes.

5) Many misogynists from other parties crossed over party lines to vote in the Democratic primaries. In fact Obama counted on this. He didn't want a re-vote in Florida or Michigan because the Republicans had already voted. If we ever get another woman candidate who can make a serious bid for the presidency, misogynists from other parties should not determine the Democratic candidate. Women make up two thirds of the Democratic party; and our effect should not be diluted by the primary/caucus process. When there is work to be done, when there are close votes, and when there are close races, women are the backbone of the Democratic Party. When it comes to choosing the Democratic nominee, women's votes must be represented proportionally.

Before women have another opportunity for the presidency, there should be a level playing field. In case we get another chance, we need assurances that this misogynist sleight-of-hand won't happen again. Obama must bear these gifts. Then we can talk.

Feminist Trailblazer Hillary Clinton Gender News Feminist Politics Patriarchy Barack Obama New Politics Misogyny

She Met Hillary Clinton

2008-07-23T15:29:00.005-05:00

Cara over at Feministe was participating in a Planned Parenthood lobbying effort and quite unexpectantly, she met Hillary Clinton!

And then *poof*! There she was! She just seemed to magically appear in the doorway like David Copperfield or something. And then she received a spontaneous standing ovation. For real — it totally wasn’t planned, but everyone in the room seemed to rise to their feet and begin applauding at exactly the same time.

Go read her exciting (it is) story: I Met Hillary Clinton

Feminist Trailblazer Hillary Clinton Gender News Feminist Pro Choice Politics

Daily Show Kristen Schaal on Cougars & Redenbachers (Video)

2008-07-23T13:57:00.008-05:00

Our favorite Daily Show feminist Kristen Schaal (women have poison!) introduces Jon to a cougar and proceeds to illustrate the dehumanization of women that the term is meant to convey. Then she comes up with an insulting name for all the men who date younger women.

Kristen Schaal Jon Stewart Sexuality Politics Feminist News Sexist Culture Gender

Obama Love (Video)

2008-07-23T00:59:00.000-05:00

We already know the media is a joke. At least they're good for some laughs. But any day now, I expect them to start calling John McCain a bitch. Oh well. One can always hope this turns out a whole lot better than some of the other things the media sold us. Like that idiot in the White House. And his war.

McCain's Funny Video About Media Love for Obama

You're just too good to be true. Can't take my eyes off of you. You'd be like Heaven to touch. I wanna hold you so much. . I love you, baby!

Video via John McCain

Media Bias News Politics MSNBC Propaganda Barack Obama Groupies

Obama's VP List: Another Boringly Male Democratic Presidential Ticket?

2008-07-22T11:00:00.001-05:00

Just like every year except 1984, the list of serious contenders for the Democratic VP spot appears to be another boring list of people with penises. Never mind that Hillary Rodham Clinton is apparently not on the list, even though a number of 'progressives' are certain she has one.

The latest excuse for preserving this nation's tradition of male rule is that any woman other than Hillary would surely cause a backlash among women voters.

That's right. Women are asking for it:

From the Times: If he does not choose Mrs. Clinton, several Democrats said, it would be difficult for him to name any woman -- like Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, someone for whom he has had warm words. Both Clinton and Obama advisers said such a move could create a backlash among women who supported Mrs. Clinton.

Um, except the backlash among Hillary supporters has already arrived.

And then there is the inconvenient fact that yet another boringly all male ticket risks causing its own furious backlash.

Adele Stan weighs in on the absurd notion that Obama will choose a man because women are simply demanding it:

Let's say I'm a woman over 50 who's totally jazzed by the notion of someone who looks like me, who's had to eat a lot of the same crap I've had to take, becoming the President of the United States. Then this young guy, just like that self-important jerk I trained in his junior exec years, sweeps right by her, just like the jerk swept by me, to become CEO. I'm mighty pissed, and I may not vote for you. So don't you dare put someone on the ticket, other than my choice candidate, who looks like me and has had to eat a lot of the same crap that I've had to take... Sorry. Does not compute.

Hillary Clinton Gender News Feminist Politics Vice President Kathleen Sebelius Patriarchy Barack Obama New Politics

Olbermann Makes List of Most Obnoxious & Hated Pundits

2008-07-22T00:40:00.000-05:00

Radar Online has a list of the five most obnoxious and intensely hated cable news pundits. No one here will be surprised to hear that Keith Obamaman leads the despicable pack. Back in May, Keith came in as the number one Hillary hating pundit in a TGW poll.

The list doesn't come from viewers, rather it is from the unfortunate folks who actually know the pundits. Sad to say, Keith continues to have many lefty fans who take his every lying word for the gospel, as those of us who witnessed the devolution of the netroots during that misogyny-fest of a Democratic primary know all too well.

HEAD TRAUMA: In a recent profile of Olbermann in the New Yorker, Peter Boyle recalls that he could be so "overbearing" that Suzy Kolber, a former colleague of his at ESPN, would sometimes "lock herself in the bathroom and cry." It's a sentiment that people who know him today echo. "I love his politics, and think he's really filled a void for the left that was missing on TV, but the guy is just a total asshole," says a former colleague of the frequent Page Six target.

"He's just a full-blown, red-in-the-face screamer." Another former MSNBC staffer notes that Olbermann refused to communicate with underlings face to face when he worked out of the network's Secaucus operation, instead insisting that anyone who wished to get in touch with him leave him a note in a special mailbox. "His disregard for those beneath him is almost comical," the staffer continues. "I remember he had an assistant back then named Brian whom he made go out and buy presents for other people. Brian did, with his own money, and of course Keith never reimbursed him." Says an NBC producer who has worked with him: "He is, to put it kindly, brusque." [via ]

Keith Olbermann MSNBC News Politics Bias Misinformation Media

Hillary Rips Bush for Plan to Define Birth Control as Abortion (Video)

2008-07-22T00:23:00.000-05:00

We will not put up with this radical, ideological agenda to turn the clock back on women's rights.

-- Hillary Rodham Clinton

Another day, another plan from womb-less pResident Bush to make women barefoot and pregnant forever. Preferably white women, we're sure. This latest one would change the definition of abortion. Bush's womb envy knows no limit. As usual, Hillary Rodham Clinton is kicking his Republican ass.

In a post over at RH Reality Check and Huffington Post, Hillary says: The Bush administration is up to its old tricks again, quietly putting ideology before science and women's health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is poised to put in place new barriers to accessing common forms of contraception like birth control pills, emergency contraception and IUDs by labeling them "abortion." These proposed regulations set to be released next week will allow healthcare providers to refuse to provide contraception to women who need it. . . The regulations could even invalidate state laws that currently ensure access to contraception for many Americans. In fact, they describe New York and California's laws requiring prescription drug insurance plans to provide coverage for contraceptives as part of "the problem." . . read more . .

Sign Hillary's petition.

PUMA PAC: Oh, Look! A Leader Who, You Know, Leads!

Hillary Clinton Gender News Feminist Politics Reproductive Rights Contraception Abortion

Pregnant Woman Shackled During Labor for Driving Without License in Nashville

2008-07-21T20:02:00.000-05:00

Okay, so maybe she was jailed and shackled during childbirth because she is an undocumented immigrant caught driving without a license. Either way, the treatment of this pregnant woman and her infant is barbaric. If anyone other than government officials treated a pregnant woman and her infant so shabbily, they'd be charged with child abuse.

Stories like this one right here in my own backyard make me want to urge women everywhere to just stop giving birth. If we do that long enough, maybe the assholes who seem to be in charge of everything will learn to show a little respect to the women who do the essential and laborious and unpaid reproductive work!

New York Times (via Jezebel):

It started when Juana Villegas, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who was nine months pregnant, was pulled over by a police officer in a Nashville suburb for a routine traffic violation. By the time Mrs. Villegas was released from the county jail six days later, she had gone through labor with a sheriff’s officer standing guard in her hospital room, where one of her feet was cuffed to the bed most of the time. County officers barred her from seeing or speaking with her husband. . After she was discharged from the hospital, Mrs. Villegas was separated from her nursing infant for two days and barred from taking a breast pump into the jail, her lawyer and a doctor familiar with the case said. Her breasts became infected, and the newborn boy developed jaundice.

NewsChannel5: Police Claim Legitimate Arrest; Woman Clams Racial Profiling: During the traffic stop along Bransford Avenue in South Nashville Villegas was able to produce a valid vehicle registration and consulate photo identification: two documents that should have averted an arrest.

Knoxville News Sentinel: Use of shackles upsets lawyer

Graphic: Diego Rivera

Patriarchy News Feminist Politics Reproductive Work Tennessee Immigrant Rights

160 Years and Still Waiting - Rise Hillary Rise (Video)

2008-07-21T03:57:00.003-05:00

Don't miss Dr. Violet Socks' astute analysis of the progress not made since Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her feminist cohorts signed the controversial Declaration of Sentiments in 1848: 160 years after Seneca Falls: how are we doing?

DemocracyDame: For 160 years in the United States, women, and some really great men, have been working to give women equal protection under the Constitution. This is a historic year: The 160th anniversary of the Seneca Falls Convention and the 88th Anniversary of the passage of the 14th Amendment. It is also a historic year in that Senator Clinton received more votes than any Democratic candidate in history. But Senator Obama has been chosen by the DNC as the candidate. How can that be? We want an answer, and we're still waiting.

Seneca Falls Women's History Politics Feminist Hillary Clinton Gender News

BMW Sexist Ad: Used Women Are Like Used Cars

2008-07-21T03:03:00.000-05:00

File BMW under 'shamelessly sexist' and probably an Obamanian.

Broadsheet: [A] beautiful young woman -- presumably naked and lying in bed -- wearing a come-hither look and a crown of blond curls. In small print scrawled across her bare shoulder, it reads: "You know you're not the first." As your eyes drift to the bottom of the advertisement -- and the top of her chest -- you learn that it's an advertisement for BMW's premium selection of used cars. Used cars, used women -- get it?! And, finally, there's BMW's slogan in the bottom right-hand corner, which takes on a whole new meaning: "Sheer Driving Pleasure."

Sexist Politics Feminist Gender News

Still No Debate, But Obama & McCain to Pander Together in Mega Church

2008-07-21T02:31:00.002-05:00

The battle for the votes of evangelicals will take McCain and Obama to the mega Saddleback Church, in Lake Forest, Calif., shortly before the Democratic Convention. Obama continues to turn down McCain's invitation to debate in town-hall style forums, but the Democratic presumptive nominee has agreed to appear with McCain in a forum on the stage of a mega church.

Who needs a debate when you can pick up votes by pandering to evangelicals in their very own church? This is one of the reasons I've never supported Republicans. In the pre-Obama days, I had lots of progressive company in the disdain for mixing religion with politics. But as we saw during the primary, little things like First Amendment issues go flying out the door once you've drunk the Obama kool-aid.

And this was supposed to be a good year for Democrats:

It has taken a man of God, perhaps, to do what nobody else has been able to do since the general election season began: Get Barack Obama and John McCain together on the same stage before their party conventions later this summer.

The Rev. Rick Warren has persuaded the candidates to attend a forum at his Saddleback Church, in Lake Forest, Calif., on Aug. 16. In an interview, Mr. Warren said over the weekend that the presidential candidates would appear together for a moment but that he would interview them in succession at his mega church. . . The forum still falls short of the kind of face-to-face, town-hall-style debates that Mr. McCain, of Arizona, has called for this summer before formal debates scheduled for this fall.

via Talkleft

The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that Obama does not have as much support from evangelicals as John Kerry had at this time four years ago. [via]

Graphic: Barack Obama Christian Campaign Flier distributed in Kentucky and other red states, but not blue states.

Conservative Politics News Barack Obama New Politics Church And State Presidential Politics Rick Warren California Evangelicals

Whose Democratic Party?

2008-07-20T08:51:00.003-05:00

File this one under corporate party news of the day. This may look like a joke to you, but it is also the welcome bag that will be handed out to all delegates and media reps at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Aren't you glad we got something for all that immunity?

The other side of the bag.

Update: Ok, I really do need to go back to corporate logo school. I thought the little twirly blue and white ball was a variation of Obama's logo. I see now it's AT&T. The bag still makes me want to go hide under the bed.

via Glenn Greenwald: The AT&T Convention in Denver

Corporate News Barack Obama Presidential Politics Denver Democratic Convention AT&T Telecom Immunity