Voters Get Say in 100 Days

1 comment July 28th, 2008

We’re just 100 days from the Nov. 4 presidential election.

Are you rooting for Obama or McCain?

Why?

Origin of the ‘Terrorist Fist Jab’

Add comment July 28th, 2008

Ever wonder how the silly characterization of Barack Obama’s dap with his wife Michelle as a “terrorist fist jab” got its start?

A Slate.com political writer takes credit for dragging the phrase into the main stream …

The morning after Obama locked up the nomination, I was writing a “Trailhead” item that mocked the media’s difficulty in figuring out what to call the now famous gesture. “Fist-pound,” “knuckle-bump,” and “fist-to-fist thumbs up” were among the funnier examples, but one of them—”Hezbollah-style fist jab”—was particularly risible. It came from the Web site for Human Events, a hard-right weekly. Unfortunately, I failed to note that its provenance was not the magazine itself but a reader comment posted below an unrelated column by Cal Thomas. I linked the phrase to the column but didn’t explain that the words weren’t Thomas’.

And in this Internet Age, it takes just moments (sometimes less) for nonsense to spread.

When I realized the confusion I’d helped cause, I posted a correction. But it was too late. Liberal bloggers from all over had already seized on the phrase. Time and Politico misreported that the words were Thomas’.

And then it was in the hands of a reckless talking head at Fox News. E.D. Hill wondered aloud whether the Obama dap might qualify as a “terrorist fist jab.”

Naturally, Hill didn’t say who or what she was characterizing. She didn’t even bother elaborating. She just plopped the phrase on the national television screen, as if it were totally valid. (She later apologized.)

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/G_vmQrTi3aM" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

In related (and just as thoughtful) news, a Tribune reporter wonders whether Obama may have patted his wife on the tush the same night as the notorious fist bump.

Sunil Puri Keeps Campaign Cash Flowing

Add comment July 22nd, 2008

Sunil Puri, the Rockford real estate developer, gave generously to political campaigns during the first six months of this year, according to newly filed statements with the State Board of Elections.

Puri (right) with Dan Arnold of Road Ranger

His donations included:

$2,501 to the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association

$1,000 to Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford

$250 to Gwyn Gulley, candidate for judge

$10,001 to Gov. Rod Blagojevich

Over the years, Puri has donated more than $346,000 to public officials and candidates for office in Illinois, according to the State Board of Elections.

He also is a “bundler” for the Obama presidential campaign, having raised at least $50,000 for that race.

Obama’s No-Green Fashion Rule Called a ‘Misstep’

1 comment July 22nd, 2008

The Obama campaign is getting some grief for telling traveling reporters to not wear green during Obama’s Middle East tour

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Green, The Color of Islam

An Obama aide explained to reporters that green is the color associated with the militant Palestinian group Hamas. But while the color does appear on Hamas banners, there is no particular symbolism to wearing green clothes, experts said.

Moreover, green is more generally seen as a symbol of Islam.

“A ban on wearing green seems bizarre,” said Richard Bulliet, a professor of Middle Eastern history at Columbia University, who said the color is associated with the family of the Prophet Mohammed.

“I would hazard the guess that the campaign’s concern is more with distorted—and religiously inaccurate—reporting by Obama’s detractors than with any actual signal that might be conveyed,” he said, referring to false rumors that Obama is a Muslim. “You don’t want to have some blogger come along and say ‘Obama is showing his true color.’”

“I think they’re just being overcautious to a ridiculous degree,” Bulliet said.

More here on green, the color of Islam.

Obama Wrap-Up: A Colorful Week of News

Add comment July 18th, 2008

Obama’s week in the news began with a bang when the New Yorker magazine released a cover satirizing right-wing fear mongering. The cover depicts Obama sharing a “terrorist fist jab” with his wife, Michelle.

The Politico.com’s Roger Simon cut to the chase in a column entitled “‘Idiot’s Veto’ not worth the cost” …

The New Yorker was kidding. It was satirizing people who hold stupid misconceptions about the Obamas.

A lot of people got upset anyway.

Root.com followed up with a survey of Obama cartoons. The site’s story concluded: “Drawing a black man—either seriously or satirically—it appears, is damned difficult.”

The (liberal) Huffington Post’s take on the cover controversy is here. A conservative columnist suggested “many people looking at the cartoon don’t think of it as ’satire’, but rather as a serious statement on the Obama power couple.”

Much, much, much more on this flap is here.

An accompanying New Yorker story examines Obama’s political upbringing in Chicago.

Obama also announced he will soon travel to the Middle East and Europe, on the taxpayer’s dime of course.

And on Tuesday, Obama gave a speech in which he renewed his view that American troops ought to pull out of Iraq. More here.

The Wall Street Journal says perhaps Obama should have held his speech until after completing his trip abroad. The editorial mocked his judgment …

It would be nice if Mr. Obama could at least get his facts straight. Earlier this month, the U.S. embassy in Baghdad reported that the Iraqi government had met 15 of the 18 political benchmarks set for it in 2006. The Sunni bloc in Iraq’s parliament is returning to the government after a year’s absence. Levels of sectarian violence have held steady for months – at zero. (In January 2007, Mr. Obama had predicted on MSNBC that the surge would not only fail to curb sectarian violence, but would “do the reverse.”) If this isn’t sufficient evidence of “genuine political accommodation,” we’d like to know what, in his judgment, is.

Meanwhile, this state’s own U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel did his part to damage Obama’s “reformer” credentials by repeatedly saying Obama played a stronger role in Rod Blagojevich’s 2002 election as governor than had previously been reported. Blagojevich is one of the nation’s most unpopular political figures, and he increasingly has embodied the shady side of Illinois politics — despite his own pledge to reform Illinois government. By linking Obama to Blagojevich, Emanuel certainly didn’t do Obama any favors.

The WashingtonPost.com ran its own story on Obama’s Chicago ties.

Obama is crazy about exercise.

Politico.com looked at Obama’s relationship with Kirk Dillard, a Republican state senator from west suburban Hinsdale. Dillard took the unusual step (unusual for a Republican) of cutting a television commercial to express his affection for Obama.

The spotlight found Michelle Obama, too, when the Washington state GOP ran an attack ad capitalizing on her infamous American “pride” remark.

And a major British paper profiled Michelle Obama …

Michelle is not exactly a pauper. She has earned salaries of up to $275,000 even since quitting corporate law for public service, first working for Chicago’s mayor and latterly for the city’s university hospitals. Whereas Cindy McCain was a big beneficiary of Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy, Michelle’s refrain is: “We have become a nation of struggling folks. It’s gotten worse over my lifetime and, doggone it, I’m young! Forty-four.”

She can just about claim to voters: “We’re a young couple just out of debt.” The Obamas had large student loans, only repaid by the sales of Barack’s two books.

Her informal language – “Doggone” and “Jeez” – emphasises that she is a relatively normal “working soccer mom”, whose chief concern is her family. When their daughters Malia, 9, and Sasha, 7, were given a giant cookie shaped like the Obama logo, she complained: “More sugar for the kids.”

Michelle Obama is working to re-introduce herself.

And, lastly, a look at Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain.

Obama Renews Call to Get Out of Iraq

Add comment July 15th, 2008

Obama today plans to give a speech fleshing out his vision for Iraq, a day after the New York Times published his op-ed calling once again for a “phased redeployment of combat troops” …

With the press mesmerized by shiny metal objects like the New Yorker’s controversial magazine cover or what Jesse Jackson said while wearing a hot mic, Obama today turns the focus back to one of the central issues of this presidential election when he delivers a major speech in DC on Iraq and Afghanistan. It comes right before the Illinois senator embarks on an international trip that will take him to Iraq and Afghanistan. And it comes pegged to a new Washington Post/ABC poll on Iraq that’s a mixed bag for the two presidential candidates.

UPDATE 1

The text of Obama’s speech is here.

He castigates the Bush Administration’s decision to invade Iraq after 9/11 …

Imagine, for a moment, what we could have done in those days, and months, and years after 9/11.

We could have deployed the full force of American power to hunt down and destroy Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda, the Taliban, and all of the terrorists responsible for 9/11, while supporting real security in Afghanistan.

We could have secured loose nuclear materials around the world, and updated a 20th century non-proliferation framework to meet the challenges of the 21st.

We could have invested hundreds of billions of dollars in alternative sources of energy to grow our economy, save our planet, and end the tyranny of oil.

We could have strengthened old alliances, formed new partnerships, and renewed international institutions to advance peace and prosperity.

We could have called on a new generation to step into the strong currents of history, and to serve their country as troops and teachers, Peace Corps volunteers and police officers.

We could have secured our homeland—investing in sophisticated new protection for our ports, our trains and our power plants.

We could have rebuilt our roads and bridges, laid down new rail and broadband and electricity systems, and made college affordable for every American to strengthen our ability to compete.

We could have done that.

Instead, we have lost thousands of American lives, spent nearly a trillion dollars, alienated allies and neglected emerging threats – all in the cause of fighting a war for well over five years in a country that had absolutely nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks.

He says it’s time to get out …

At some point, a judgment must be made. Iraq is not going to be a perfect place, and we don’t have unlimited resources to try to make it one. We are not going to kill every al Qaeda sympathizer, eliminate every trace of Iranian influence, or stand up a flawless democracy before we leave – General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker acknowledged this to me when they testified last April. That is why the accusation of surrender is false rhetoric used to justify a failed policy. In fact, true success in Iraq – victory in Iraq – will not take place in a surrender ceremony where an enemy lays down their arms. True success will take place when we leave Iraq to a government that is taking responsibility for its future – a government that prevents sectarian conflict, and ensures that the al Qaeda threat which has been beaten back by our troops does not reemerge. That is an achievable goal if we pursue a comprehensive plan to press the Iraqis stand up.

He sets forth a time frame …

To achieve that success, I will give our military a new mission on my first day in office: ending this war. Let me be clear: we must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in. We can safely redeploy our combat brigades at a pace that would remove them in 16 months. That would be the summer of 2010 – one year after Iraqi Security Forces will be prepared to stand up; two years from now, and more than seven years after the war began. After this redeployment, we’ll keep a residual force to perform specific missions in Iraq: targeting any remnants of al Qaeda; protecting our service members and diplomats; and training and supporting Iraq’s Security Forces, so long as the Iraqis make political progress.

He says America will build a new coalition …

We will make tactical adjustments as we implement this strategy – that is what any responsible Commander-in-Chief must do. As I have consistently said, I will consult with commanders on the ground and the Iraqi government. We will redeploy from secure areas first and volatile areas later. We will commit $2 billion to a meaningful international effort to support the more than 4 million displaced Iraqis. We will forge a new coalition to support Iraq’s future – one that includes all of Iraq’s neighbors, and also the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union – because we all have a stake in stability. And we will make it clear that the United States seeks no permanent bases in Iraq.

Obama’s Pre-Presidential Seal, Updated X1

1 comment June 23rd, 2008

Check out Barack Obama’s new “presidential seal” …

Here’s the actual presidential seal:

Yeah, that’s a bit much on Obama’s part.

He may want to stay focused on winning his race for president, not pretending to be president.

More discussion here and here.

UPDATE 1

Obama drops his “presidential seal” …

Barack Obama’s communications director said Monday that the presidential seal the campaign unveiled last week at a meeting with Democratic governors won’t be seen again.

“That was a one time thing for a one time event,” Robert Gibbs told CNN.

Obama, Clinton to Unite in Unity, Updated X1

Add comment June 23rd, 2008

Hillary Clinton, the presidential wannabe, will join Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, for a campaign even this Friday in Unity, New Hampshire.

From an Obama campaign news release:

FRIDAY: Senators Clinton and Obama to Campaign Together in Town of Unity, New Hampshire

Candidates received 107 votes apiece in Granite State town

CHICAGO, IL— Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama announced today that they will hold a “Unite for Change” Rally this Friday in Unity, New Hampshire. Both candidates received exactly 107 votes in the western New Hampshire town in the primary.

More details to be announced soon.

FRIDAY, JUNE 27

Unity, NH

UNITE FOR CHANGE RALLY

UPDATE 1

The Trib has more.

Rod Rode Flood Back Into Spotlight

Add comment June 23rd, 2008

Will the great flood of 2008 save Rod Blagojevich’s political career?

It’s doubtful, given the Illinois governor’s extreme unpopularity (his popularity rating neared 13 percent in recent months) and his ongoing troubles (continuing federal probe of his administration, talk about possible impeachment and his fundamental difficulty with managing state government).

But it’s clear that catastrophic flooding of Illinois communities was, for Blagojevich over the last week, the gift that kept on giving. Each day, the governor traveled to flood-ravaged scenes while his handlers focused on producing a steady stream of news releases highlighting the governor’s efforts.

From the AP …

When Gov. Rod Blagojevich stopped to visit volunteers filling sandbags to fight floodwaters threatening this Mississippi River town, the spotlight was not on impeachment. Or his ongoing feud with lawmakers. Or the conviction of his top political fundraiser.

Instead, the Democratic governor was greeted with smiles and handshakes — even by 25-year-old Quincy Republican Kent Voth, who took a break from shoveling sand to mug for a picture with Blagojevich.

“I’m glad he came,” Voth said.

Besides offering the governor a chance to show himself as a leader with his finger on the pulse of real concerns in Illinois, the flood was a great distraction last week from matters the governor would perhaps rather not focus on.

For starters, there’s that state budget plan the governor claims is more than $2 billion out of balance. The governor has done his best to make a big fuss about how he believes this budget plan is unconstitutional, but he has yet to say exactly what he might do to rectify the problem.

Will he veto the budget? Call lawmakers back into special session? He won’t say. The next fiscal year — a year for which this state does not have a budget — begins July 1.

The flood gave the governor a week off from that intensifying public conversation. He’s just a hard-working governor trying to make things right for the hard-working, regular people of Illinois, and not the least bit concerned about all that budget and impeachment talk, after all.

Today, the governor plans to continue his publicity tour:

EAST ALTON – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich will sign a new law allowing Mississippi river counties to collect funds for emergency levee repair and flood prevention to provide immediate assistance to areas affected by recent flooding in Illinois.

WHO: Governor Rod R. Blagojevich

Mayor Don Sandidge
State Sen. Haine
State Sen. James Clayborne
State Rep. Jay Hoffman
State Rep. Dan Beiser
State Rep. Tom Holbrook
Alan Dunstan, Madison County Board Chairman
Mark Kern, St. Clair County Board Chairman

WHEN: 2:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Melvin Price Lock & Dam
1 Lock and Dam Way
East Alton, IL 62024

The flood also served as nifty cover for Blagojevich to skip a forum that Barack Obama sponsored on Friday to show support for his presidential bid from Democratic governors (like Blagojevich).

Obama’s people said they had in fact invited Blagojevich to attend (Blagojevich is Obama’s home-state governor), but it’s hard to imagine Obama and his people weren’t happy not to have Blagojevich sharing the stage with Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee. Obama must worry about the luster of his own spotlight.

‘Just Remember, Folks, Nobody Reads It’

Add comment June 23rd, 2008

The Politico.com today published a mostly glowing profile of Barack Obama’s time as president of the Harvard Law Review. Obama was the first African-American to head the prestigious student-run publication.

The eight dense volumes produced during his time in charge there — 2,083 pages in all — show the Review to have been a decidedly liberal institution, albeit one in transition as its focus on race and gender was contested by both liberals and conservatives. Under his tenure, the Review published calls to expand the powers of women, African-Americans and the elderly to sue for discrimination.

But Obama, who this March referred to “identity politics” as “an enormous distraction,” was not so easily pinned down. He published a searing attack on affirmative action by a former Reagan Administration official. And when, in an unusual move, he selected a young woman from a non-Ivy League law school to fill one of the Review’s most prestigious slots, she produced an essay focused on individual responsibilities as much as on liberties, which criticized both conservative judges and feminist scholars.

The article quotes scholars whose work the Law Review, under Obama’s direction, published. It also walks through the focus of several of those articles.

It concludes:

In the end, though, Obama’s time on the review mirrored other aspects of his life. Even in the staunchly liberal milieus in which he’s spent his entire adult life, Obama has managed to lead without leaving a clear ideological stamp, and to respect and even at times embrace opposing views. To his critics, that’s a sign of a lack of core beliefs. To his admirers, it’s the root of his appeal.