Hillary and Bill hitting the campaign trail

Here are some articles I have spotted on the internet. Thought you might want to take a look...

Politico's Ben Smith says that Hillary is ramping up going to Michigan for Obama. I think she has been ramped up! She has been campaigning in Ohio, Florida and New Mexico. Click here for article.

Morgan Felchner of US News and World Report takes a look at polling done of former Clinton supporters and women in her article “Clinton Supporters Aren't All Flocking to McCain-Palin” Click here

"Wooing Clinton Backers for Obama’s Benefit"
New York Times article regarding former Clinton backer Hassan Nemazee's $28,500 per couple fundraiser for Obama. Click here for article.

Bill Clinton to hit the campaign trail too. According to the Washington Post he is heading to "Florida, Nevada and Ohio and will host Obama fundraisers in New York, California and Ohio. He said he will also join his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, at a campaign event in northeastern Pennsylvania." Read here for more. Sphere: Related Content

Hillary Sent Me Program

Hillary has launched a program on her HillPAC website to get her supporters mobilized in battle ground states for Sen. Obama.

I write about the effort on DemConWatchblog.com and you can review by clicking here.

You can check out the Hillary Sent Me program at http://www.hillpac.com/feature/hsm/ Sphere: Related Content

A difference a week makes! What the candidates are saying about the economy.

This has not been a good week. The bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, the sale of Merrill Lynch and the government buyout of AIG all happened in one week. What's next?

Last week we were talking about lipstick on pigs and this week the debate has shifted on the economy. I am glad the debate has shifted but unfortunately it took three financial failures to make it happen.

I was very disappointed by John McCain's remarks that he thought "the fundamentals of our economy are strong". I can't imagine why he would make a statement like that after millions of people are being laid off, losing their homes and major institutions are closing their doors. What fundamentals?

I invite you to take a look at an article by David Gross from Newsweek "Fundamentally Speaking. Is there any excuse for McCain's gaffe about the economy?" The author looks at the many weaknesses in the economy and demonstrates that there are more items that are not fundamentally sound than positive outlooks. Click here to read the article.

I hope the debate changes and focuses on the economy. To get an idea of the candidate's economic plans I would encourage you to look at their websites. Both candidates have sections addressing the economy.

I am very excited to tell you that there is nothing on each website regarding lipstick on pigs or on hunting down a moose.

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Barack Seat Drivers

I love the article on Slate.com "Barack-Seat Drivers. Barack Obama does not need your two cents."

It seems like there are a new crop of political consultants out there..

There are some great consultants and politicos but I love it when people throw out suggestions based on very little fact or experience.

The article reviews this type of advice out there in the blogosphere for Sen. Obama to change up his campaign. Everything from "lie like McCain" to "dump the Clintons".

Click here for the article.
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A couple news stories for you

I thought these articles were worth noting:

The Sarah Palin Phenomenon Is Doomed
CBS Marketwatch reports that the "Columnist Jon Friedman Warns The Media Live To Build You Up, Then Knock You Down". Click here for story.

Katie Couric will be the next newscaster to interview Palin
Link to AP story here.

Clinton vouches for Biden
Click here for story in the Boston Globe

Hillary and Palin in the same room?
LA Times says "Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton could cross paths at U.N. Monday.
Link to the story here.

I just discovered CNN's daily "Political Hot Topics". It's a great listing of articles. Check it out by clicking here. Sphere: Related Content

What's at Stake?

The following was emailed to me from another Hillary supporter now backing Obama:

Sen. Clinton has commented "We don't need four more years of the last eight years, more economic stagnation and less affordable health care, more high gas prices and less alternative energy, more jobs getting shipped overseas and fewer jobs created here at home, more skyrocketing debt, and home foreclosures, and mounting bills that are crushing middle-class families, more war and less diplomacy, more of a government where the privileged few come first and everyone else comes last…No way. No how. No McCain. No Palin.”

Economy

* Hillary ran for President to change the Bush-Cheney economic policy, to rebuild the middle class and reward hard work, and invest in jobs here in the US. She knows this economy is leaving millions of hard working Americans behind and endangering our country's future.

* McCain/Palin support continuing the Bush economic policies of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. They advocate privatizing social security, and their trade policies will result in continued loss of jobs.

Health Care

* Hillary believes we need a health care system that is universal, high-quality, and affordable; and she will work with the Obama/Biden Administration to achieve this critical goal.

* McCain/Palin will leave insurance companies in charge of the health care system and families on their own. McCain/Palin are even opposed to expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Equal Pay

* Hillary knows we must strengthen the equal pay laws so women like Lily Ledbetter –and every woman – gets equal pay for her work.

* McCain/Palin oppose strengthening the equal pay laws. McCain said instead of legislation allowing women to fight for equal pay, they need “education and training.“

Iraq

* Hillary believes it is time to end the war in Iraq and bring our troops home with honor.

* McCain/Palin supports continuing the use of force in Iraq. McCain even suggested keeping troops in Iraq for "one hundred years or a thousand years or ten thousand years."

Judges

* Hillary believes federal judges should support and uphold our constitutional rights and respect landmarks in our nation’s history of achieving full citizenship for every citizen, including Brown v Board and Roe v Wade.

* McCain/Palin oppose the Roe decision and want it overturned. McCain has said he wants to appoint judges like Alito and Roberts. Palin opposes choice even in the case of rape and incest.

Energy

* Hillary knows we need an energy plan that makes us energy independent and that conserves our natural resources for generations to come.

* McCain/Palin: "drill baby drill Sphere: Related Content

Summary of Sen. Cliton's efforts for the Obama Biden ticket

I posted a blog entry similiar to this one on Demconwatchblog.com. You can take a look by clicking here.

A contact of mine sent the following bullet points on Sen. Clinton's efforts for the Obama Biden ticket. I thought you might be interested:

• In events and through conference calls, Hillary and her fundraisers have raised millions for Senator Obama. As of August 23, 2008, Hillary had raised over $4 million for the Obama Campaign. She hosted a reception in Denver for 250 of her donors and asked them to help do whatever they can to raise funds for Senator Obama. Senator Clinton is traveling to Chicago on Sunday evening for a fundraising event and on September 22nd she is set to hold a fundraiser in New York City with a goal of raising $500,000 and more events are being scheduled.
  


• Hillary's top women groups - including Emily's List have endorsed Obama. Hillary has urged all of the unions that endorsed her in the primary to enthusiastically back Senator Obama. On behalf of Senator Obama, Hillary has attended events with several unions including American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA), the United Farm Workers (UFW) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
  


• Since June, Hillary has held rallies and press conferences with local reporters around the country urging her supporters to back Senator Obama including events in the battleground states - New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, New Mexico and two trips to Florida. She will be going to Ohio on behalf of Senator Obama on Sunday, September 14th and more trips are being planned. During all of her campaign events the message is clear: there is only one choice for the American people who want real solutions and positive change in this election: Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Senator Clinton has drawn a clear contrast between Senator McCain and Senator Obama on issues important to women and families including pay equity, the economy and middle class tax cuts.
  


• Both Senator Clinton and President Clinton gave forceful, sweeping endorsement speeches of Senator Obama at the Denver Convention. Also in Denver, Hillary made the motion by acclamation from the convention floor officially making Senator Obama the nominee of the Democratic Party. At every event Hillary attended in Denver she reiterated her support for Senator Obama and his message of change including at the Hispanic Caucus meeting, Emily's List luncheon, Count Me In event, Families USA/SEIU healthcare event, New York delegation breakfast and at her meeting with over 3,000 delegates and supporters where she formally released her delegates.
  


• Numerous staff members from Hillary's presidential campaign are now working to elect Senator Obama including policy experts, speechwriters, spokespeople, researchers and schedulers. Hillary's current staff is encouraging their volunteer network to actively engage in campaign activities on behalf of the Obama-Biden ticket, as well as key Democratic races.

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Great Lakes Tour! Hillary heads to Chicago burbs after events in Ohio.

Hillary is really hitting the road for Sen. Obama.

After campaigning in Ohio, she will be hopping over to Chicago for an Obama fundraiser. The Chicago Sun Times reports that the fundraiser will be in suburb Wilmette. Primary hosts were supporters of her presidential campaign. Click here for the Sun Times story.

Joan Vennochi of the Boston Globe says "Clinton fulfilling new role with gusto". Click here. Sphere: Related Content

What is Hillary up to these days?

Hillary campaigns in Ohio on Sunday, September 14 on behalf of Sen. Obama. Read more by clicking here.

Holding a press conference on Monday regarding pay equity. Click here for details.

According to Gov. Ed Rendell, Hillary will be making several appearance in Pennsylvania for Sen. Obama. Click here Sphere: Related Content

Video of Bill Clinton's prediction of a big Obama win

As you may know, President Clinton met with Sen. Obama this last week to discuss the campaign. Included below is a video of President Clinton's remarks.

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Hillary heading to Ohio to campaign for Obama/Biden. Coming to Texas to raise money.

Hillary will be doing a campaign tour in Ohio on Sunday for the Obama Biden ticket. Reported by CBS/Politico and the Boston Globe.

Later this month, Hillary will be appearing at a fundraiser for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston. Reported today in the Houston Chronicle

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Charlie Gibson to interview Palin this week. Will it be a sham?

DemConWatchblog.com has an entry on the upcoming Charlie Gibson interview of Palin. I think it will be a sham. The blog entry by Doc Jess notes that it may be unwatchable. Read more by clicking here.

Here is a news story about the interview on ABC. Click here.

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Update: Hillary's Speech Today on CNN

Click below for a snippet of Hillary's speech today from CNN. Hillary's speech is part of a series of events by the Obama campaign titled "Change We Need Rally with Sen. Hillary Clinton".

CNN video of Sen. Hillary Clinton. Sphere: Related Content

Cagefight! Hillary vs. Palin?

Pictured above is a polar bear in reference to Sarah Palin's "NY Times oped that protecting polar bears is a mistake because evidence about the changing climate's impact on ice shelves (aka polar bears' homes) is unreliable."

I doubt that Hillary will be taking on the role of attack dog on last week's temporary "American Sweetheart".

Hillary supporters I know (now turned Obama), are super miffed by the Palin selection and Palin's speech that evoked Hillary and Geraldine Ferraro.

It was an insulting blow and I believe it has mobilized many former Clinton supporters behind the Obama/Biden ticket.

Hillary is now hitting the campaign trail and the question out there is whether or not she will be going after Palin. CNN's Political Ticker conteplates the tone of Clinton's campaigning at http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/08/will-clinton-go-after-palin/

The CNN blog entry quotes the Obama campaign: "Sen. Clinton will address the choice we have in this election – between a new direction for our economy or four more years of the Bush failed economic policies that McCain-Palin is offering," Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro said. "She will talk about the Obama-Biden plan for immediate and lasting relief for America's working families."

I believe that Hillary will stick to the issues of the campaign and may offer a subtle attack of Palin and McCain. But, I don't believe she will be an attack dog. It just won't play well and I am sure Hillary does not want to be portrayed as a a disgruntled former candidate. However, her silence specifically on Palin should not be viewed as any show of support for Palin.

I like a quote posted at the conservative National Revew blog that comments: "As it is, he's (Obama) asking her, "hey, sorry about that bitter primary thing, calling your husband racist, and the lack of campaign debt relief. Could you do me a favor and alienate a certain portion of your voters, obliterate your newfound respect from some corners of the right, and incinerate your chance to head a Democratic ticket in 2012 by making a kamikaze run at America's newest sweetheart, in order to save my tuchus? Thanks." The full entry can be located by clicking here.

Here are other articles worth noting:

ABC's Political Blogger Jake Tapper writes "Hillary Campaigns in Florida for Obama, but Will She Take On Palin?" Click here for the article.

LA Times quips Hmm, Hillary Clinton ducks chance to attack new GOP star Sarah Palin

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Obama Campaign coordinating Hillary visit to Florida

Hillary will be campaigning for the Obama/Biden ticket this next week in Florida. Several local Florida news outlets are announcing the visit. The Obama campaign is calling these events the "Change we Need Rally with Sen. Hillary Clinton".

Here is what the Obama website looks like announcing the event:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/hrcTB

The Orlando Sentinel announces the Central Florida visit and how to get tickets through the Obama campaign at
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2008/09/clinton-coming.html

An Orlando radio station notes that Hillary will specifically discuss "the choice we have in this election – between a new direction for our economy or four more years of the Bush failed economic policies that she says McCain-Palin is offering."
http://www.540wfla.com/cc-common/mainheadlines3.html?feed=137841&article=4201427

Tampa Bay News 10 story announcing the event:
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=89123&catid=8


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Interesting articles

Detroit Free Press Say "McCain insults Clinton Supporters"
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/OPINION03/809060318/1071

AP says Most Clinton backers say Palin's too far a stretch
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iYQV5v00aLCnUUTZpVfPejgbPeZQD930Q53G0

Opinion piece from Newsweek "What Hillary Should Say Now"
http://www.newsweek.com/id/157376

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Uncool comments about Hillary by Susan Sarandon

Check out the article "Sarandon Calls Clinton a whiner" on SFGATE.COM. Her comments are completely unnecessary after Clinton gave such a powerful endorsement of Sen. Obama last week.

The article is located at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=29895

Here is a bit from the article:

"Susan Sarandon has launched a scathing attack on former presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, branding her a "whiner" for allegedly blaming sexism for her failure to land the Democratic nomination.

The actress has vowed never to play Clinton in a film, insisting she doesn't have enough respect for the politician, who was the first woman to run for U.S. presidency but lost to rival Barack Obama earlier this year."

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Hillary to stump in Florida for Sen. Obama

New York Times reports that Hillary will be campaigning soon for Sen. Obama. The hope is that Hillary can counter any Palin momentum.

The article states "Mrs. Clinton’s campaign event in Florida, her first for Mr. Obama since the Democratic convention, will serve as a counterpoint to the searing attacks and fresh burst of energy that Ms. Palin injected into the race with her convention speech on Wednesday, Obama aides said."

Here is the full article:
Obama Camp Turns to Clinton to Counter Palin
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/05/us/politics/05dems.html?em Sphere: Related Content

Convention was no. 1 in ratings last week!

I am glad to know some folks were watching the convention last week.

My mug was on CNN for a few seconds and got several emails from folks!

The AP reports that the Democratic Convention was No. 1 in cable ratings last week. Read on at http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jdU5mzTBQCChplJgwZkHzo9xcVYwD9304QIG0

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Recapping the convention with Dallas area bloggers

I have been catching up with the blogs about last week's convention from local Dallas folks. I thought I would share them with you. Been looking at these while watching McCain's speech. Easy to multi-task during his speech.

Erin Moore's "Erin in Denver Blog" (delegate from senate district 16)
http://lgbtdelegate.blogspot.com/

Paul Tran's A Delegate's Adventure to Denver (at large delegate... and has great pictures on his site)
http://electpaultran.com

Janice Schwarz to Denver (Janice was a delegate from senate district 8)
http://www.janiceschwarz.blogspot.com/

Dallas South Blog (scoll to page 3 for convention coverage)
http://dallassouthblog.com/

Janet Morrison's Community Dialogue (scroll down for convention blogs... great pictures)
http://janetmorrison.blogspot.com/

Obama Dallas Team (blog includes four bloggers/delegates from Dallas)
http://obamadallas.com/oddenver/

Thanks to Michael Davis of Dallas and blogger at http://dallasprogress.blogspot.com/
Michael listed my blog and brought my attention to Shawn and Janet's blogs. Michael is a colleage from the City of Dallas Planning and Zoning Commission. Sphere: Related Content

More pictures, Days 2-4

Click on the picture below to go to the photo album.

Convention Day 2 and 3

Convention Day 4

Other previous posts with photos include:

Day 1:
http://jstrater.blogspot.com/2008/08/convention-day-one-photos.html

Convention eve:
http://jstrater.blogspot.com/2008/08/pictures-from-convention.html Sphere: Related Content