Obama Channels George Bush

 Nicole Wallace writing at the Daily Beast makes a good point .  President Obama's defense of beleagured Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is not unlike President Bush's backslap of failed FEMA Chief Michael Brown right after Katrina.



Though Wallace assesses Geithner's performance so far by saying "The problem for Obama isn’t Geithner’s lack of popularity—it’s his lack of success. So far, he hasn’t done anything that has inspired confidence in the financial markets. So far, he hasn’t made any public appearances that have inspired confidence in the public. And so far, he has failed to form a productive or even functional relationship with Republicans or Democrats in Congress," the President says he wouldn't accepted the Secretary's resignation if he offered it.

Obama Picks GOP Senator for Commerce Post

Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) is Obama's top pick for Commerce Secretary. The Wall Street Journal said Saturday "Mr. Gregg's appointment to the post could give Mr. Obama and his Democratic Party a victory in the Senate, clearing the way for them to pass legislation without fear of a Republican filibuster. It also would provide the administration a strong ambassador to the business community in Mr. Gregg, who devised the $700 billion banking bailout package last year."

Is he really the best man for the job, or is Obama trying to undercut the Republican party?

Barack the Magic Negro

Big furor over a video making the rounds, Barack the Magic Negro, a parody of Puff the Magic Dragon.  The tune satirically takes makes the case from the point of view of Reverend Al Sharpton that Barack Obama is an "acceptable Black man" compared to himself.



Though the piece was initially distrubuted as part of what was thought to be a joke by some dinosaur Republicans down South, it's actually based on an essay about Obama in the LA Times almost two years ago.

The story by David Ehrenstein paints the President-Elect and then underdog candidate in the archetype of what's referred to as "the magical negro,"  which Wikipedia describes as a "mystical stock character in fiction who, by use of special insight or powers, helps the white protagonist get out of trouble." Indeed as Ehrenstein points out Obama as a real life "magical Negro" is "there to assuage white "guilt" (i.e., the minimal discomfort they feel) over the role of slavery and racial segregation in American history, while replacing stereotypes of a dangerous, highly sexualized black man with a benign figure for whom interracial sexual congress holds no interest."  Certainly Whites can feel comfortable voting for Obama over previous candidates such as Shartpon or Reverend Jesse Jackson who have darker skin and unlike Obama's cosmpolitan upbringing had a more typical African American upbrining in "the hood" scare Whites, regardless of their degree of simpicato with their politics and can't bring themselves to vote for them.

This is a tough pill to swallow but Barack the Magic Negro -  even if it was unintentional on the creator's part  - brings up these uncomfortable realities about race relations.  That even in a post-racial word many Whites are indeed drawn to the "magic negro" that they can warm to and hope erases any innate bias they may still have.

The good news is that as society becomes even more diverse old stereotypes will fall away and distinctions will blur.  And to a degree, the election of Barack Obama helps to that end helping to erase the racism of some whom opposed him and the guilt of some of who supported him.

By the way Ehrenstein isn't thrilled with Barack Obama these days, primarily over his selection of Pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at Obama's inauguration.

Obama is Irish!

Just like me, President-elect Obama has Irish roots. Who knew?

Big Mouth Emmanuel?

President-Elect Barack Obama has named Congressman Rohm Emmnauel as his Chief of Staff.

Emmanuel is an Illinois Congressman but he was once part of the Clinton administration.

Former Clinton svengali Dick Morris retells a story to Bill O'Reilly when some sensitive administration information was leaked to the press, an angry Bill Clinton called Morris screaming expletives an and demanding know who Morris told.

Morris replied to Clinton "Only George (Stephanopolous, Clinton Communications Director) and Rohm."

Clinton shot back "George and Rohm? You might as well as put out a fucking press release Dick!"

Karl Rove Hangs With Obama?

On this evening's O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, Rove admits to "hanging" with Senator Obama at the White House.

Rove says that Obama is smart but needs to be disciplined. Disciplined? Obama is one of the most disciplined, balanced pols out there - that was one of his weapons against free-form McCain.

Why are they going to Rove for what the Republicans need to do? Rove and his butt buddy George Bush are responsible for a reckless destruction of the Republican Party as we know it.

Get these dinosaurs off the air and go to Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan, Bobby Jindal or even Sarah Palin to get the new GOP roadmap.

What Is Obama Hiding?

Sean Hannity probes Barack Obama's college years, a time in Obama's life that the Democratic Presidential nominee won't talk about nor will allow any records to be made public, including his senior thesis.  And for the first time a longtime Obama associate confirms Obama's personal ties to radical, racist activist Khalid al Mansour.

Big Mouth Biden Lies Again!

When Hillary Clinton was less than truthful about getting shot at while on a visit to Bosnia, the mainstream media was all over her for her fib.

Yet Joe Biden is telling stories himself and apparently getting a pass from the drive bys. Obama's running mate talks about the green zone in Bagdhad "where I have been seven times and shot at." However, Fox News reports that the Hill newspaper said Biden when asked to clarify "backpedaled from his claim of being 'shot at' and instead allowed: 'I was near where a shot landed.'"

In the upcoming Vice Presidential Debate with Republican nominee Sarah Palin, Biden plans to hit Palin on her knowledge of "the superhighway of terror between Pakistan and Afghanistan where my helicopter was forced down."

Turns out though the helicopter had to land because of lousy weather, not superhighway terrorists, and Biden was quickly retrieved by a US Military convoy all the while with American fighter jets overhead to protect him.

"Let's start telling the truth," Biden said during a presidential primary debate sponsored by YouTube last year. Yes, Joe, let's. And while you're at it lets explain why you and Barack Obama beat up Hillary for her lies but you get a pass.

Record Shows Democrats and Obama Responsible For Banking Mess

New video unearthed today from 2004 showing that Congressional Democrats made the claim that there was nothing to worry about at Fannie Mae, and in fact even went as far to inject the race card because then Fannie Mae CEO Franklin Raines - a former Clinton Administration official - happened to be African American.

"Mr. Chairman, we do not have a crisis at Freddie Mac, and in particular at Fannie Mae, under the outstanding leadership of Mr. Frank Raines. Everything in the 1992 act has worked just fine."
-Representative Maxine Waters in 2005

"The responsibility that the Democrats have may rest more with resisting any efforts by Republicans in the Congress or by me when I was president to put some standards and tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac."
-President Bill Clinton, this week

"If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole."
-John McCain in 2006

At the same time Republicans including John McCain called for more regulations and more control on Fannie Mae while usual suspect Democrats Maxine Waters (please, please Ted Hayes win and send Maxine packing) and Barney Frank saying this was not necessary.



Amazingly, yet another video shows Obama at an event in 2005 celebrating Fannie Mae, from which he was the second highest recipient of campaign contributions in the US Senate though Obama has been in the Senate less than four years.



Thank God for YouTube because we have video showing that McCain supported regulation of Fannie and Freddie, and along with many others including then Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, express serious concern over what was to come.



Oh and where was Barack Obama on this? Apparently he voted present.

What's the new term these days? Epic Fail? Yea, Senator Obama, you and your Democrats did. What's more, you got PAID to do it.

If You Liked Jimmy Carter, You'll Love Barack Obama

Remember gas lines? Hostages? Misery? Inflation? The era of limits? America as a laughing stock? Those were the days of James Earl "Jimmah" Carter, the 39th President of the United States who got his ass kicked all the way back to Georgia by Ronald Reagan.

You can lay the creation of Al-Qaeda squarely at the feet of Jimmah who allowed the Russians to invade Afghanistan where Osama bin Laden became a brand. His mishandling of the situation in Iran led to the Islamic republic that is now threatening Israel with nukes.

If you would like to see the second term of Jimmah finally take place, then vote for Barack Obama who is more Carter than Carter. Folks, Barack is no Bill Clinton, a moderate Democrat who did a succesful job of managing the economy and keeping the country out of trouble internationally. Barack is a left wing, socialist nut job of the Carter order.

Why Is Obama Dressed Like A Muslim?

Did Obama go to a Muslim school? Why is he dressed like this? Does it matter if Obama was a Muslim? Maybe, maybe not. But if he lied about it, that's the problem.

Son of Obama Campaign Leader May Be Palin Hacker

We noted Wednesday that Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin's personal email was hacked and the contents displayed on the left-wing Gawker blog.

The story gets turned up a notch or too considering that a number of reports indicate that the son of a prominent Obama backer may be a person of interest in the Federal investigation of the hacking.

Democratic Tennessee State Represenative Mike Kernell of Memphis has confirmed that his 20 year old son David is "the one in question" but declined further comments.  A number of internet reports note that the elder Kernell is the leader of the Obama campaign in the Volunteer state. The head of the FBI's office in Memphis has confirmed they are involved in the investigation.

Blogger Michelle Malkin reports that a poster with the email address of rubico10@yahoo.co posted on a discussion board that he was the person behind the Palin hack (not an internet mischief making group as previously reported) and confirming the break-in.  A pro-Palin blog has found evidence from 2003 when David was 15 where he posted under that same email address.

Sounds like it good be a mess.  Stay tuned.

Sam's Campaign Hotsheet

Following the Republican National Convention and the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin by Presidential nominee John McCain as his running mate, the GOP campaign has seen a surge in poll numbers and fundraising leaving the Obama campaign a bit nervous. McCain rallies are attracting thousands more attendees, McCain has pulled ahead of Obama in the polls and fundraising is through the roof. In fact, the McCain camp has raised $5 million in Obama's hometown of Chicago in just the last few days. In the meantime, Democratic stragegists are getting nervous that while the McCain-Palin camp gains steam, the Obama campaign has fallen apart and is horribly off it's game.

He has a tingligng feeling in his leg for Barack Obama but along with partner in crime Keith Olbermann, MSNBC commentator Chris Matthews has been removed as an anchor for NBC's coverage of this year's Presidential campaign. NBC has finally owned up to the fact that the liberally biased Matthews and Olbermann are commentators and not journalists and hence will officially fill the latter role. The more seemingly balanced David Gregory will take over helming the network's campaign related broadcasts.

We all knew it would be a matter of time before "Big Mouth" Joe Biden would open up la boca grande and insert his foot, but he did it. Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin who is the parent of a children with Down's Syndrome has been on record of being opposed to stem cell research however the specifics of her position are not yet clear. "Big Mouth" Biden, like he always does, stepped in it when he said he couldn't figure out how a special needs parent could oppose stem cell research, once again sinking the Democratic campaign to a new low.

Deep thinker Joy Behar from ABC's The View, who thinks Barack Obama is the second coming of Franklin Roosevelt and that government is the answer to all our problems went on an extended attack on Sarah Palin on Tuesday night's edition of Larry King Live on CNN. Among Goofy Joy's many criticisms of the Vice Presidential candidate is that Sarah doesn't wear contact lenses and that the Governor's glasses are a prop. Joy also repeated a number of the usual untrue rumors about Sarah that even liberal bloggers like David Markland have debunked.

Moore Takes on McCain War Record

Los Angeles - In his second appearance on the innovative new online show, Meet the Bloggers, Michael Moore raised some tough issues related to John McCain's use of his war record in the campaign. Asked if he believes Senator Obama should raise questions about McCain's war record, Mr. Moore said: "Anytime McCain uses his POW status or especially the Vietnam War to attack [Obama's] patriotism or his service, or what he's done for this country, then it is fair game." Quoting a section in Mr. McCain's autobiography in which he said 'We were bombing heavily populated areas of North Vietnam,' Mr. Moore argued that "everyone who stood up against that war is a hero, is a brave American."

Sign Up for Camp Obama!

If you're a big supporter of the presumptive Democratic nominee, you can spend the rest of your summer at Camp Obama. With apologies to Allan Sherman, here's Rita of Sunland with her ode to the retreat.

'Big Mouth' Biden: Is This The Best Obama Could Do?

Newly minted Democratic VP candidate Joe Biden has been nominated and made his acceptance speech afternoon night. Biden managed to go the entire speech without saying anything stupid but who knows maybe Barack had him on seven second delay.

Following Senator Hillary Clinton's speech Tuesday night and her gracious efforts on the Convention floor Wednesday afternoon, it's become apparent that Obama made the wrong pick. As noted by blogger Darren Duvall, the upside to dissing Hillary is that Obama is not faced with the prospect of former President Bill Clinton hanging around the White House. At the same time, Duvall makes a good funny when he writes "A lot of what he (Biden) has to offer is a legacy of misstatements that make George W. Bush look like Oscar Wilde."

However Duvall also points out Biden's legacy of off-the-cuff and over the top remarks such as "crypto-racist" comments by Biden about Obama and ignorant statements about Indian-Americans in the State of Delaware.

Despite whatever failings Hillary Clinton may have, one can not imagine her making those types of comments. And one can not imagine Barack Obama losing with the New York Senator as his running mate.

But, he will never know now.

A Pick for McCain

In as much as Barack Obama has in Joe Biden picked a contemporary of John McCain to serve as his running mate, the presumptive Republican nominee should consider selecting the Republican version of Barack Obama as his vice-presidential nominee.

For sure McCain's "short list" is somewhat long.  Former candidate Mitt Romney gets talked about a lot. So do Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and former Ohio Congressman and Bush Budget Director Rob Portman.  Also on the list are former Pennyslvania Governor and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, the 2000 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee. Lately former Secretary of State Colin Powell, an unlikely pick, has also received buzz.

And of course we advocated here for sometime the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

The challenge for McCain is to find someone who will 1) stay out of trouble, 2) shore up his standing with the base, 3) not scare off moderates as well as disaffected Clinton Democrats, 4) Hold their own against Joe Biden in debates and 5) give him a little Google juice going into the Republican National Convention.

I believe that person is Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Here's Jindal on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno:



Jindal has an interesting background.  He's a first generation immigrant who was born in Baton Rogue while his parents, immigrants from India, were attending Louisiana State University.  At 37 years old, he's the youngest Governor in the US.  He served in the US House of Representatives, where he was Britney Spears' Congressman. Here young people who are fired up over Jindal talk about the Louisiana Governor:



Could you imagine Jindal debating Biden who has referred to Indian Americans as 7-11 and Dunkin' Donuts workers?



More importantly he's an impassioned, articulate, intelligent, dynamic young man.  And he brings a lot to the ticket.  He'd be the only Southerner on the ticket.  Like Biden, he's a Roman Catholic who converted from Hinduism in high school.



He comes from a solid middle class background and worked his way up to the top at a young age.  He has the immigrant experience and if nominated would be the first Asian to be part of a major party ticket.  And he even has somewhat of a resemblance to his namesake, Bobby Kennedy.  A Rhodes Scholar, Jindal is ten years younger than Obama, was born one year before Biden entered the senate.

Unlike Obama, Biden or even McCain, as a Governor, Jindal is a Washington outsider who has solid Conservative credentials. As the child of immigrants himself, he has credibility when calling for immigration reform.



McCain could really fire up the troops, gets lot of press and find a candidate who could appeal to all the important swing votes - without the baggage of a boring white guy like Romney, Portman, Pawlenty, etc.- if he picked Jindal.

Why It Doesn't Matter How Many Homes John McCain's Family Owns

John McCain's wealthy wife may own several homes (though apparently they don't "live" in all of them; some of them are just investment properties) and Joe Biden thinks there is something wrong with that.

However, most folks won't care how many homes the Arizona Senator and presumptive Republican Presidential nominee owns or lives in. Despite the class envy the Obama bin Biden campaign is seeking to stir up, folks will remember that once John McCain had one home - one he lived in for five years - the "Hanoi Hilton" torture prison he was held in as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. A prison he could of got out of early because of his privilege as the son of a ranking US Military officer but which McCain refused so his compatriates could get out before him.

Next: Obama's Shady House Purchase

Camp Obama!

Dear Friend,

Learn more about Camp Obama I want to tell you about an exciting program we're launching in California. It's called Camp Obama.

During this two-day session, people like you will be taking their support for this movement to the next level by learning the organizing principles that this campaign and our movement for change are built on.

Camp Obama attendees will receive real world organizing experience that will have a direct impact on this election. Graduates of Camp Obama will go on to become Deputy Field Organizers who will lead this campaign to victory in crucial battleground states around the country.

Find out more about this exciting opportunity to take a leadership role in this movement for change.

By participating in Camp Obama, you'll get the kind of experience that Barack got as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago, where he learned that real change happens from the bottom up.

That experience transformed Barack's life and made him who he is today.

Camp Obama is your chance to put those very same principles into action - to win this election and to strengthen democracy in communities around the country.

After completing the program, you'll be required to work as a Deputy Field Organizer in a battleground state where you'll be organizing supporters and helping lead our grassroots Get Out The Vote operation.

Apply for a spot at a Camp Obama near you and become a leader in our movement for change:

http://ca.barackobama.com/CampObamaCA

This campaign relies on the passion and enthusiasm of ordinary supporters, but it needs leaders who can organize those supporters and turn their enthusiasm into votes on Election Day.

Camp Obama is your chance to step up and become a leader in this movement.

Thanks,

Jon

Jon Carson
National Field Director
Obama for America

You Can Buy An Obama bin Biden Magnet!

Barack Obama and Joe Biden just made their first public appearance as running mates at a rally in Springfield, Illinois.

They are the leaders who will bring the change our country needs. But they can't do it alone.

Show your support for the Obama-Biden ticket today. Make a donation of $15 or more and you will receive a first edition Obama-Biden Car Magnet.

We've got our team. But we've also got our work cut out for us.

Your gift will be crucial to preparing this campaign for the general election.

Make a donation of $15 or more and be one of the first to show your support with an Obama-Biden Car Magnet:

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Thank you for everything you're doing to build this movement for change,