Heavy Petty Open Thread: Eyes Wide Shut

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 13:41:12 PM EST

A number of Clinton operatives and supporters report privately that her campaign organization is beset with internal turmoil, and that Mark Penn remains in serious danger of losing his position as the senior and dominant strategist. "There are a lot of people saying Mark Penn is going to be thrown under the bus," said one source.

On the other hand, there are dissidents from this view. Norm Ornstein told HuffPost, "I am not one of those who joins in the pillorying of Mark Penn. They played the hand they had, and that hand was built around experience and nostalgia for the Clinton administration. If they had switched to a message of change six months ago, it would not have been any more credible then than it is now."

Goodbye Celine!

Pindell:

First, there as a quote in the Boston Herald this morning quoting longshot Democratic US Senate candidate Jay Buckey as saying he was leaning toward a vote for Barack Obama.

At an event in Portsmouth Hillary Clinton said she hopes that Buckey's rival, former Govenor Jeanne Shaheen, wins.

Updated Obama Schedule: Today & Primary Day

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 08:58:33 AM EST

Lebanon, NH -> Rochester, NH -> Concord, NH

LEBANON MEET THE CANDIDATE
Lebanon Opera House
51 N Park Street
Lebanon, NH
Doors Open: 10:30 AM
The event is free and open to the public. However, an RSVP is strongly encouraged. To RSVP, please call Dave at the Lebanon Office 603-448-1108.

ROCHESTER RALLY
Rochester Opera House
31 Wakefield Street
Rochester, NH
Doors Open: 5:30 PM
The event is free and open to the public. However, an RSVP is strongly encouraged. To RSVP, please call Steph at the Rochester Office 603-330-0808.

CONCORD RALLY
Concord High School
170 Warren Street
Concord, NH
Doors Open: 10:00 PM
The event is free and open to the public. However, an RSVP is strongly encouraged. To RSVP, please call the Obama for America Concord office at 603-224-8004.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8

Hanover, NH -> Nashua, NH

DARTMOUTH RALLY
Dartmouth College
Alumni Gymnasium
West Gym
Hanover, NH
Doors Open: 7:45 AM

PRIMARY NIGHT RALLY
Nashua South High School
36 Riverside St.
Nashua, NH
Doors Open: 7:30 PM
The event is free and open to the public. An RSVP is strongly encouraged. To RSVP call Obama for America's Nashua Office at 603-578-9007.
***For security reasons, do not bring bags.  No signs or banners permitted.***

Further details to be announced as they become available.  

PR: Prominent Dodd and Biden Supporters Endorse Obama

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Sat Jan 05, 2008 at 18:08:34 PM EST

MANCHESTER, NH-In the wake of Senator Barack Obama's victory in the Iowa caucuses, key supporters of withdrawn candidates Senator Joe Biden and Senator Chris Dodd announced today their support for Senator Obama.  Citing Obama's ability to unify the country around a vision of positive change, the group of 9 prominent Granite Staters lauded Obama as the best candidate to win in November and build a coalition for change.

"By winning the Iowa caucuses, Barack Obama didn't just make history, he also laid the foundation for the future of our party and our country," said former New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman and Dodd New Hampshire Campaign chairman Joe Keefe.  "Obama built a consensus for change among Democrats and Independents and even some Republican; and in the process he inspired thousands of people to engage in the process for the first time.  That's how we'll win the White House in November; and more importantly, it's how we'll end decades of division so we can finally govern effectively."

The announcements come as Obama continues to build momentum in New Hampshire just three days before Primary Day.

The following prominent Granite Staters endorsed Obama:
Dan Calegari, Deerfield - Former NH Field Director for Gary Hart '84; Veteran of five NH Presidential Primaries; Small Business Owner; Member of Senator Dodd's Steering Committee
Pat Clark, Tilton - Democratic Activist
Jim Craig, Manchester - Former New Hampshire House Minority Leader
Representative Mike Farley, Manchester - Former John Kerry '04 NH Steering Committee Member, Secretary of Manchester City Democratic Party, Democratic Activist, Member of Dodd's Steering Committe
Joe Keefe, Manchester - NH Democratic Party Chairman and former Chairman of Senator Dodd's State Steering Committee
Quentin Keefe, Manchester - Owner of Commercial Street Fishery; President, Regency Mortgage Company
Chris Kennedy, Manchester - NH State Senate Legislative Aide, veteran of the 2006 NH Senate Democratic Caucus Field Operation for the Lakes Region
Joe Sullivan, Manchester - Manchester Ward 12 Democratic Committee, Retired Teacher
Anna Tilton, Marlborough - Co-Chair of Cheshire County for Dodd; Cheshire County Register of Probate; 2nd Vice Chair (and former Chair) of Cheshire County Democrats

3 Pleas to NH Voters

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Fri Jan 04, 2008 at 09:56:03 AM EST

The three speeches that were given last night were geared more towards NH and the days ahead then about the results of the Iowa caucus.
No duh. I know.

Of the three speeches given, which of them is the most consistent with the pre-Iowa message and which, if any, are reacting to the results instead of building off them.

I fully concur with Edwards main point, Iowa voted for change via Edwards or Obama.

Edwards will be bending over backwards to convince NH and the rest of America that he is the better candidate to carry the mantle of change. To be honest, I don't agree, but Edwards is a firm #2 in my book.
____________________________________________________________________________________________

I was completely put off by how Hillary stacked all her "cronies" behind her. Does Bill and Albright need the face time? Then she desperately tried to twist her defeat into a "victory for the party." (wink, wink. She thinks she is the party or wants you to believe that)

This speech is a shotgun appeal that covers every twist and turn her campaign has taken, trying to be everything to everyone. By doing this, she shows that she is desperate to find a handle on "her message." Trying to find what sticks is not leadership.
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Barack's speech is elevated, using broad strokes. He knows that Americans are going "meta" in 2008. Not that policy and points are not of great importance, but here Obama is conveying the "vision" of the movement.
When everyone was listening, Barack went back to HOPE.

Biden hearts Obama? Bill too, maybe?

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 21:26:31 PM EST

But ended up Off The Bus

Beverly Davis http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Des Moines-
-snip
Dennis Kucinich started what may add up to the critical mass Obama needs for a win or strong second-place showing in the Iowa caucuses, when Kucinich encouraged his supporters - few though there are in this frozen state - to join the Obama forces on caucus night, if Kucinich doesn't have enough voters to be viable.
-snip

The Biden national and state campaign honchos met at 4 p.m. Monday in a Des Moines attorney's office to discuss their strategy and decide if they would encourage their non-viable voters to choose either Obama, Edwards, or Hillary Clinton's caucus contingents.
-snip

...Offthebus chatted with one of the Biden's national consultants who wanted to remain anonymous:

"A decision will be made tomorrow about who we'll encourage our supporters to stand behind if we aren't viable in a precinct. Right now, I'd guess Obama gets our support because we're more inline with his vision of foreign policy than any of the other candidates, and besides, we like him and how he's run his campaign."

"Is Biden angling for a Secretary of State position in an Obama Administration?"

The Biden consultant told Offthebus, "Well, Joe would make a great Secretary of State, wouldn't he?"

Biden's son, Joseph R. Biden, III is the current Attorney General for Delaware. Should Joe Biden resign his seat and accept a major post in the next Democratic Administration in Washington, his son is positioned to replace him in the U.S. Senate.
-snip

Off-the-bus spoke with a national Obama staffer who confirmed, "We've heard that Richardson may also be telling his supporters to caucus for Barack if they aren't viable. Nothing definitive but there's a trend going on," she added with a smile. Ah, that's an understatement.

All of this off-the-record conversation and backroom pol talk could be nothing or something.

But the fact that the rumors are flying and top aides are willing to discuss their thinking with Offthebus, albeit without disclosing their names, is still enough smoke to detect yet another spark that could ignite a fire under the Obama campaign's fortunes in the Iowa caucuses.
-snip

None of the campaigns I spoke with - on or off the record - are prone to hand their support over to John Edwards, who is busy today flying around the state for his final push to win - and therefore, survive until New Hampshire, where his poll numbers continue to fall far behind either Clinton or Obama.

Don't ask me for any salt, I just used my last grain.

Obama Thanks Kucinich

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Tue Jan 01, 2008 at 16:21:23 PM EST

DES MOINES, IA - Senator Barack Obama today thanked Congressman Dennis Kucinich for encouraging his supporters to caucus for Obama as their second choice in the Iowa caucuses.  Obama noted that he and Kucinich both opposed the war in Iraq before it started and are committed to reclaiming the American Dream on behalf of families across the country.

"I have a lot of respect for Congressman Kucinich, and I'm honored that he has done this because we both believe deeply in the need for fundamental change," said Senator Obama.  "He and I have been fighting for a number of the same priorities -- including an end to the war in Iraq that we both opposed from the start, reforming Washington and creating a better life for America's working families.  I encourage all Iowans to take part in the caucuses this Thursday - not because it will be good for any one candidate, but because it will be good for our party and the future of our country."

Kucinich Urges Supporters to Back Obama On Second Iowa Ballot

DES MOINES, IA -- Democratic Presidential candidate and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich opened the New Year by publicly asking his Iowa supporters to vote for him in the caucuses this Thursday, and suggesting that if he did not make the 15% threshold, their second ballot should be for Senator Barack Obama.   "This is obviously an 'Iowa-only' recommendation, as Sen. Obama and I are competing in the New Hampshire primary next Tuesday where I want to be the first choice of New Hampshire voters.  

"I hope Iowans will caucus for me as their first choice this Thursday, because of my singular positions on the war, on health care, and trade. This is an opportunity for people to stand up for themselves. But in those caucus locations where my support doesn't reach the necessary threshold, I strongly encourage all of my supporters to make Barack Obama their second choice.   Sen. Obama and I have one thing in common:  Change."

NH Seniors for Obama

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 17:34:34 PM EST

For more on Sen. Obama's plan for Seniors, Click Here

For insight into NH supporters for Sen. Obama, Click Here http://nh.barackobama.com/page...

NH Obama Site: Gives Props to Blue Hampshire

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Sun Dec 23, 2007 at 10:21:27 AM EST

Two Bloggers Endorse Barack on Blue Hampshire
by Tim Foley, NH Obama StaffSunday, December 23, 2007 at 09:01 AM
____________________________________________________________________________________________
For news and discussion of progressive politics in the Granite State, Blue Hampshire is the place to be. Two of its regulars have recently come forward to endorse Barack for president.

Andy Edwards is a founding member of the NH Democratic Majority. He was elected as a State Representative in New Hampshire in 2006. He writes:

Edwards for Obama
by: Andy Edwards

I am endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for President. He is the only one who presents a real departure from conventional thinking inside the beltway and who will act as a catalyst for change both within the American political system and with our image abroad.
-snip

Chickens before they've hatched

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 00:33:44 AM EST

The best known example occurred in the Virginia governor's race in 1989, when Doug Wilder, an African American man, went into Election Day with polls showing a 10 percentage point lead but won by 0.5 percentage points. Analysts concluded that many white voters told pollsters they would vote for Wilder but did not.

Although I find the topic irritating, I guess I can't completely ignore any merit the point may have. It is one of those tragic conditions of America and will have to be challenged at every turn of the way forward.

Always the optimist, I searched for a silver lining, 'cuz I'm cheery like that, yo.

It came my way reading the carbon copy, Rah-Rah pabulum puked forth here on BH.
The diarist was pushing Hillary Clinton's dominance with the female voting block. An assertion that I did not have any anecdotal data to support.
Yes I have talked to women that are for Clinton, but many more are either not for her simply "because she is a woman" or because they think she isn't "much of a woman".

My Senators are better then your Senators

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 18:20:08 PM EST

Obama: The Era of Post-Partisanship Politics

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 17:04:26 PM EST

IS OBAMA A SHREWD PROGRESSIVE OR A SELLOUT?

...Barack Obama's call for bipartisanship (or post-partisanship) has drawn skepticism from some establishment liberals like New York Times columnist Paul Krugman , who accuse the Illinois Senator of being a "naive" and "anti-change candidate."
-snip

Matt Yglesias of The Atlantic summed up the appeal thusly, "He says he's not one of those liberals, he doesn't call people 'wingnuts,' he understands the conservative point of view, blah blah blah, and then here comes his agenda of tax hikes, tons of new spending, ambitious carbon emissions curbs, less invading of other countries for no reason, gay equality, etc. And, remarkably, you keep seeing conservatives eat it up, discerning something incredibly 'new' and 'exciting' in a combination of conventional liberal policy views with vaguely conciliatory rhetoric." Those in this camp believe Obama could be a Democratic version of Ronald Reagan. Think: Obama Republicans.

Other liberals, like Krugman, are suspicious of Obama's inclusionary rhetoric.
-snip

The American Prospect's Mark Schmitt, one of the most astute observers of American politics, has analyzed both of these arguments and, in the end, sympathizes with Obama.

"Perhaps we are being too literal in believing that 'hope' and bipartisanship are things that Obama naively believes are present and possible, when in fact they are a tactic, a method of subverting and breaking the unified conservative power structure," Schmitt writes. "Claiming the mantle of bipartisanship and national unity, and defining the problem to be solved (e.g. universal health care) puts one in a position of strength, and Republicans would defect from that position at their own risk. The public, and younger voters in particular, seem to want an end to partisanship and conflictual politics, and an administration that came in with that premise (an option not available to Senator Clinton), would have a tremendous advantage, at least for a moment."

In this reading of things, bipartisanship isn't just a feel-good sound-bite. It's a means to actually bring change about.

Obama Attracts Indies with Gov't Reform

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Thu Dec 20, 2007 at 16:35:11 PM EST

Obama Hosts Discussion with Independents on Restoring Trust in Government
At roundtable with New Hampshire Independents, pledges most open and transparent administration in history

MANCHESTER, NH- Today in Exeter, Senator Barack Obama hosted a roundtable discussion with New Hampshire Independents to discuss his commitment to cleaning up government and forging bipartisan solutions on the nation's most pressing challenges.  Restoring Americans' trust in government, Obama told the group local residents, begins with turning the page the most secretive administration in recent history.

"I will run the most open and transparent Administration in history," Senator Obama said.  "Because when you shut the door on the people, chances are you're not doing the peoples' business, you're doing someone else's...Instead of doing business behind closed doors, we'll bring democracy back to the people. When I put together my health care legislation, I won't do it in a back-room - I'll do it out in the open. And we'll make sure the voices of patients, doctors, nurses, and hospital administrators are heard over the drug and insurance industries. That's how we'll finally lower costs and make sure that every American has affordable, high-quality health care."

As evidence of his ability to enact meaningful reforms, Obama asked the participants to look at his track record of standing up to the special interests and winning - one that is unmatched by any other candidate.  In the Illinois State Senate and the United States Senate, Obama stood up to the special interests as well as leaders in both parties to pass sweeping ethics reform.  As President, he said, he would show the same courage and conviction to make government work for everyday Americans again.

"These reforms aren't just about changing Washington - they're about making change that you can see in your own lives - change that can end a war, that can finally deliver on health care, and energy independence, and a world-class education for all of our kids. Because government in this country works best when it is of the people, by the people, and for the people.  

"To make this change, we're going to have to bring this country together. Instead of just putting someone in office to play the game, we need to finally put an end to the game-playing. Instead of partisan warfare, we need to recapture our sense of a common purpose - and common destiny - in this country."

In Manchester in June, Obama unveiled his plan to launch the most sweeping ethics reform in history on his first day as President.  The Obama plan will restore trust in government by:

-Closing the revolving door between government and the private sector;
-Banning gifts to executive branch employees;
-Shining light on federal contracts, tax breaks, and earmarks;
-Ending abuse of no bid contracts;
-Bringing democracy and policy directly to the people by discussing issues and conducting business in public; and
-Supporting campaign finance reform.

The plan can be viewed in full HERE.

Obama: Global Awareness and Human Rights

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:26:08 AM EST

November 19, 2007

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary
Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Rice:

I am writing to request your attention to a troubling human rights development in Saudi Arabia.

According to news accounts, last week a Saudi court sentenced a 19-year old woman, who was the victim of a gang rape, to six months in jail and to 200 lashes. Reportedly, this is more than a doubling of her initial sentence. The court took this step of doubling the sentence because the defendant's lawyers raised the case in the press in an effort to call attention to it. That the victim was sentenced at all is unjust, but that the court doubled the sentence because of efforts to call attention to the ruling is beyond unjust.

I strongly urge the Department of State to condemn this ruling. Moreover, since your Department is finalizing this year's country reports on human rights pursuant to Sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), I ask that this unjust case and any efforts to correct this demeaning ruling be given a prominent place in that report.

I thank you in advance for your consideration of my request. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama
United States Senator

MSNBC reported:
Bush, however, said he has not made his views known directly to Saudi King Abdullah, an ally. But he added: "He knows our position loud and clear."

Well, today Saudi King Abdullah issued a pardon to the rape victim. Ya, let that one run through your melon one more time.

Issued a pardon to the rape victim.

CNN) -- Saudi King Abdullah has pardoned a rape victim who had been sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in prison in a case that sparked international attention, a Saudi newspaper has reported.

King Abdullah issued the royal pardon on Monday, Al-Jazirah newspaper quoted a Saudi Justice Ministry official as saying.

Saudi sources told CNN that the king's pardon was not related to the beginning of the Hajj nor the Eid al-Adha festival that follows, which is normally when the Saudi monarch issues amnesty for prisoners.

Saudi Arabia's justice minister said the king felt the pardon would be in the best interests of the Saudi people, and the decision did not reflect any lack of confidence in the Saudi justice system.

The White House welcomed King Abdullah's decision, but National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe stressed that "this is obviously a matter for the Saudi Arabians and King Abdullah." -snip

Our values and laws are not inconvenient obstacles

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 19:34:46 PM EST

Yesterday, we learned that in November 2005, the CIA destroyed videotapes of its interrogations of two prominent al Qaeda suspects, including a close Osama bin Laden associate - Abu Zubayadah. Media reports suggest that these videotapes depict brutal interrogation techniques, and could certainly be relevant to ongoing investigations and inquiries. Furthermore, these videotapes were not provided to the 9/11 Commission, which made a broad set of requests for classified documents - including interrogation tapes and transcripts - that would have included information about the 9/11 attacks.

The CIA has argued that these tapes needed to be destroyed to protect the identities of the interrogators. Our government must go to any length necessary to protect the identities of those who serve in a covert capacity. But the CIA keeps scores of classified material - including videotapes - while protecting the identities of its agents. This raises serious questions about whether the tapes were destroyed to protect the nature of the interrogation, rather than the identity of the interrogator.

Mr. President, this incident deserves further congressional oversight and inquiry - neither the CIA nor this interrogation program is immune to our laws. This is yet another chapter in a dark period in our constitutional history. Now, it is time to turn the page.

Senator Obama, today on the Senate floor, also stated:
We should not have to find ways of ignoring or averting our own laws to defend our country. Torture does not work. Torture violates our laws. And torture sets back the standing and moral leadership that America needs to triumph in this global struggle. Our values and laws are not inconvenient obstacles to the defense of our national security - they can and must be a guiding force in our response to terrorism.

On January 20, 2009

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 12:00:52 PM EST

Senator Obama, Michelle Obama, the people at Obama for America and the millions of folks who believe in the strength of this movement offer you a choice on January 8, 2008.

IMHO, the best choice.

Open Thread: It's NPR, so pinkies up

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 19:09:22 PM EST

Schoolhouse Rock taught me a thing or two. I'm sure many of the jingles resonate for those of us who remember life without a remote control and bunnie ears on the TV.

With the besieged American middle class getting plenty of lip service, please consider:

SchoolHouse Rock - Where The Money Goes

So, pinkies up.

This is an open thread.

Obama: Reform in Washington

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Mon Dec 03, 2007 at 21:52:58 PM EST

If Obama and Edwards were serious about changing the status quo, they would stop taking money from special interests and people who work for lobbying firms. The pledge is a sham.  No, it is worse than a sham, because the intent is to make people think that these candidates do not take money from special interests, when they do - including money from people working for lobbying firms. It is snake oil.

I would like you to review the following tower of proof to the contrary:

Ethics and Lobbying Reform
Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has fought for open and honest government. As an Illinois State Senator, he helped pass the state's first major ethics reform bill in 25 years. And as a U.S. Senator, he has spearheaded the effort to clean up Washington in the wake of numerous scandals.
In the first two weeks of the 110th Congress, Senator Obama helped lead the Senate to pass the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act, a comprehensive ethics and lobbying reform bill, by a 96-2 vote. This landmark bill was signed into law by the President in September 2007.
The final bill that the Congress passed closely mirrored and drew key provisions in a bill S. 230 that Senators Obama and Feingold introduced in January 2007 to establish a "gold standard" for reform. Among the provisions in the Obama-Feingold bill that were adopted by the Senate and the House were: strict bans on receiving gifts and meals from lobbyists; new rules to slow the revolving door between public and private sector service; and an end to the subsidized use of corporate jets.
Most importantly, the final reform bill contained a provision pushed by Senator Obama to require the disclosure of contributions that registered lobbyists "bundle" - that is, collect or arrange - for candidates, leadership PACs, and party committees. The New York Times called this provision "the most sweeping" in the bill, and the Washington Post said: "No single change would add more to public understanding of how money really operates in Washington."
In January 2006, Senator Obama laid the groundwork for the reform package that the Senate eventually adopted a year later. He started building a coalition for reform by helping to author the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act introduced with 41 Democratic sponsors. The bill proposed lengthening the cooling off period to two years for lawmakers who seek to become lobbyists and requiring immediate disclosure as soon as public servants initiate any job negotiations to become lobbyists. The bill would have opened conference committee meetings to the public and required that all bills be posted on the Internet for 24 hours before they can be voted on by the Senate. Finally, the bill would have ended all lobbyist-funded gifts, meals, and travel and strengthened the Senate office that monitors lobbyist disclosure forms. All of these provisions were incorporated in either identical or similar form into the final bill passed in 2007.
In addition, Senator Obama sponsored three other ethics-related bills in the 109th Congress that went even further on ethics, earmarks, and legislative transparency. By the time of the 110th Congress, his ideas for reform had gained support, and many of his proposals were passed by the Senate.

The Ring of Power

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Mon Dec 03, 2007 at 13:42:18 PM EST

Is there a pledge of allegience required or something? At some point Solidarity turns from Walesa to Stalin.

bloomingpol writes:

I haven't posted at Blue Hampshire for a while, since I got chastised for not being a good party member.  But I think this is important enough to take a chance of getting beat up again.

then Bressler pipes up with:

On May 16th, I Jon Blogdanovich wrote a bit called "I Trust Her" in which all manner of brickbats started flying. A blogger formerly known as Frodo, called me chauvinistic and  just about demanded a loyalty oath that I would sign in blood to "To support whoever the Democratic nominee is!  Whether it is Clinton, Edwards or whoever!". When bloomingpol says

"I haven't posted at Blue Hampshire for a while, since I got chastised for not being a good party member.",

she knows of where I speak. Don't let the bastards shut get you down. Nice to have you back !

Not that Massachusetts is any better. Down here, they just break your legs.

Conventional politics will put up a fight. Bet that!

As divisive as it gets

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Mon Dec 03, 2007 at 13:14:02 PM EST

Clinton states:

but I have said for months that I would much rather be attacking Republicans and attacking problems of our country because ultimately that's what I want to do as president.

"Attacking Republicans", Hmmmmmmmmmm.

So divide and conquer rhetoric with a blue shirt on is more palatable then when a red shirt pukes it up.

This is 50% +1 talk.

This will cement the status quo for along time to come, if it is given a shred a credibility.

Also, note her priorities and her tactics. Back to vaulting forward to the general election, attacking the other side of the aisle and roughly half of the American people and then expecting to fight for Americans.

Yikes. Hillary should be one of the Joint Chiefs. Presidents are wussies. They have to compromise with....re..publi...cans.

Restore America's Standing

by: Sleeping Giant Stirs

Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 11:09:37 AM EST

By JOHN HUTSON
UnionLeader.com: Commentary- Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007
THE UNITED STATES has paid a devastating price for the Bush administration's use of torture and extrajudicial detentions. These questions go right to the heart of how we fight terrorism and who we are as a nation. That's why they should be front and center in our presidential campaign, and that's an important reason why I am supporting Barack Obama's campaign.
Here's what the American people need to understand about torture: it doesn't work. As an interrogation method, it is far more likely to get you bad information than good intelligence. It sets back our moral leadership in the world, diminishing our standing, our cooperation from friends and our leverage over repressive regimes. Our military recognizes this, and that is why the Army field manual prohibits torture and the "enhanced interrogation techniques" that news reports suggest have been authorized for use by our intelligence professionals.
The same is true of indefinite detentions outside the rule of law. Our prison at Guantanamo Bay has become a flashpoint for anti-American anger around the world, as have the "secret prisons" that we have reportedly set up. And for all that it has cost us in the battle of ideas, it has been ineffective in bringing terrorists to justice. There has not been a single conviction for a terrorist act at Guantanamo. And our embrace of an extrajudicial system sends a message to the American people and the world that we do not have confidence in our Constitution, our courts and our system of military justice to face the terrorist threat. -snip-

Obama has been unequivocal on these issues. As President, he will close down Guantanamo and secret prisons. He will restore habeas corpus. He will spare no effort in hunting down terrorists, and he has complete confidence in the ability of our civilian courts and judge advocate generals to deliver swift and severe justice to enemies of the United States. Because of this, we will be more secure at home and more able to support the rule of law around the world when Obama is President.
Our nation is at a turning point. Surely, there will be candidates who accuse anyone who opposes torture and indefinite detentions of being "soft" -- of lacking the "toughness" to protect America. Obama will never trim his sails or adjust his position because of these attacks. On the contrary, he is eager to take this debate head-on and to make his case to the American people that the way to get tough on terror is to once again be a nation of laws and to once again offer moral leadership to the world.
America must never become a nation symbolized by a torture victim standing on a box or by a prison camp where we don't tell people why they are being held. At this moment in history, we desperately need leadership that reclaims our future so that freedom triumphs over fear and justice triumphs over terror. I have looked closely at what the candidates have to say on these issues, and I strongly believe that Barack Obama will reclaim this future for America.

John Hutson is president and dean of the Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord.